Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

GAIL received the "Initiatives in Promoting Hydrogen Company of the Year" award at the FIPI Oil & Gas Awards 2023 in New Delhi. The recognition highlights GAIL's commitment to advancing hydrogen technology through substantial investments and R&D. A key achievement is its 4.3 TPD Green Hydrogen pilot project in Vijaipur, Madhya Pradesh, featuring a state-of-the-art 10 MW Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer that produces ultra-pure hydrogen (99.999%). This underscores GAIL's role in driving the hydrogen economy forward.

The Indian Chemical Council (ICC) was awarded the prestigious OPCW-The Hague Prize 2024 at the 29th Conference of States Parties in The Hague, Netherlands, on November 25, 2024. This is the first time a chemical industry body has received the honour, recognizing its significant contributions to the chemical sector. The award was presented by OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias and The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen, further cementing ICC's role in promoting chemical safety and innovation globally.

G. Balasubramanian, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from the 1998 batch, has been appointed as the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives. His extensive diplomatic experience in global postings, including Moscow, Washington DC, and Dushanbe, highlights his readiness for this important role. His appointment signifies India's strategic focus on strengthening ties with the Maldives, a key partner in the Indian Ocean Region. Balasubramanian previously served as High Commissioner to Nigeria before this new appointment.

Shri Dinesh Bhatia, a 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Brazil in November 2024. With a distinguished career, Bhatia has served in various significant roles, including as India's Ambassador to Argentina and Consul General in Toronto. His experience spans several countries and key diplomatic assignments, and his educational background includes training at prestigious institutes like the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi.

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Binod Kumar, the Executive Director of Punjab National Bank, as the next Managing Director and CEO of the Indian Bank. He is set to succeed S L Jain, who retires next month. The recommendation follows a rigorous selection process involving 15 candidates, initiated after the RBI raised concerns over the earlier nominee, Asheesh Pandey. Binod Kumar's experience and strong performance in interviews made him the top choice, with the final appointment subject to approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.