Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Sharad Kumar, a retired IPS officer, has taken the reins as the new chief of BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit, bringing with him decades of law enforcement experience. His impressive background includes serving as Director General of the National Investigation Agency from 2013 to 2017 and Vigilance Commissioner from June 2018 to April 2020. Kumar's expertise in leading high-profile terror investigations and enhancing agency capabilities will undoubtedly bolster BCCI's fight against corruption. His appointment underscores BCCI's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game.

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, two American scientists, have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA. Their research has significantly advanced our understanding of how organisms develop and function. The Nobel Prize committee recognized their pioneering work, which has opened up new avenues for research in molecular biology and disease treatment. The United States has a long history of producing Nobel laureates, and this award adds to the country's impressive list of scientific achievements. Ambros and Ruvkun share the 1.1 million dollar prize.

Aviral Jain has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India, effective from October 1, 2024. Before this promotion, he served as the Regional Director for Maharashtra. Jain possesses over three decades of experience in key areas such as supervision, currency management, and human resource management. His extensive background positions him well to oversee crucial departments within the RBI, ensuring smooth operations and compliance, as well as contributing to the bank's strategic initiatives and governance.

Parveen Kumar Gupta has been re-appointed as the Non-Executive Chairman of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank after receiving approval from the Reserve Bank of India. With 38 years of experience at the State Bank of India, where he served as Managing Director, Gupta brings extensive expertise in both domestic and international banking. His leadership has been further solidified through his role as a senior advisor to the Bank of Baroda, making him a key figure in the banking industry.

Sujata Chaturvedi has taken over as the Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), succeeding Sandip Pradhan who completed his five-year tenure on September 30, 2024. Chaturvedi, serving as the sports secretary of the sports ministry, assumed her new role on October 1, 2024. Notably, she has previously chaired key meetings, including the Finance Committee of SAI and the Departmental Project Approval Committee for the Khelo India Scheme. This appointment marks a significant development in India's sports administration.