Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Coal India Limited has strengthened its top leadership by appointing its Chairman-cum-Managing Director, B. Sairam, as the Chief Executive Officer. The decision, effective from 15 December 2025, consolidates leadership to improve strategic coordination and operational efficiency at India’s largest coal producer. With over three decades of experience in the coal sector, Sairam brings extensive technical and managerial expertise. His previous roles at Northern Coalfields Limited and Central Coalfields Limited involved major infrastructure, logistics, and capacity expansion initiatives, making him well-suited to guide Coal India amid rising production demands and energy security expectations.

Sports is the category in which Vaibhav Suryavanshi was honoured with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, reflecting his extraordinary accomplishments in cricket at just 14 years of age. The award recognises children between 5 and 18 years who demonstrate excellence and outstanding performance in various fields. Vaibhav’s achievements span domestic cricket, Under-19 tournaments, and the Indian Premier League, where he set multiple age-related and performance records. By recognising him in the Sports category, the award highlights India’s focus on nurturing young athletic talent and celebrating early excellence in competitive sports.

Saleem Ahmad has taken charge as the Chairman and Managing Director of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, a key public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways. With over 30 years of experience in infrastructure development, he brings extensive expertise in construction, metro projects, and large-scale redevelopment works. Prior to this role, he served as Director (Projects) at NBCC (India) and held senior positions at the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Mumbai Port Trust. His appointment comes at a crucial time as India accelerates railway modernization, capacity enhancement, and connectivity expansion across the country.

Shubham Awasthi, an advocate by profession, has been honoured with the prestigious 40 Under 40 Lawyer Award 2025. This award is regarded as one of the most respected recognitions within the Indian legal community. It celebrates not only professional excellence in the field of law but also acknowledges commitment to public service and humanitarian values. The award was presented during the 6th BW Legal World 40 Under 40 Lawyers and Legal Influencers Awards 2025, held in New Delhi, bringing together distinguished legal professionals from across the country.

Nnena Kalu made history by becoming the first learning-disabled artist to win the Turner Prize, the United Kingdom’s most prestigious award in visual arts. A 59-year-old Scottish artist, she lives with autism and has limited verbal communication, yet her work has gained wide recognition for its originality and expressive power. Her achievement represents a significant milestone for inclusivity and representation in the global art community. The award ceremony took place in Bradford, northern England, where she was honoured with the £25,000 prize money, highlighting the growing recognition of diverse voices and abilities in contemporary art.