Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Air Marshal SP Dharkar, a seasoned fighter pilot with over 3,600 flying hours, has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of Air Staff, succeeding Air Marshal AP Singh. Dharkar has had an illustrious career, serving as the Director General of the Defence Space Agency and commanding frontline fighter squadrons. He has also led the Eastern Air Command for the past two years. His appointment is a significant development in the Indian Air Force's leadership. Dharkar's extensive experience and leadership skills make him well-suited for this critical role.

Jitendra J Jadhav, a Distinguished Scientist with nearly four decades of experience in aircraft design and development, has been appointed as the Director General of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) effective from September 11, 2024. Jadhav's illustrious career includes significant contributions to India's aeronautical engineering, particularly in the development of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). His leadership is expected to further strengthen India's indigenous aircraft development capabilities.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been honoured with the 2024 UN Inter-Agency Task Force Award for its significant efforts in preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improving mental health. This recognition highlights ICMR's contribution to public health through initiatives such as establishing national centres for Assistive Health Technology, promoting sustainable health products, and conducting the world's largest assistive technology survey. This award underscores the organization's ongoing efforts to tackle NCDs on a global scale.

KVS Manian took over as the Managing Director and CEO of Federal Bank on September 23, 2024, succeeding Shyam Srinivasan. Manian comes with over 25 years of experience at Kotak Mahindra Bank, where he played a significant role in the bank's growth and transformation into one of India’s leading private-sector banks. His leadership experience and strong financial background position him well to lead the Federal Bank in the future.

Pratyasa Ray, an emerging talent in swimming, hails from Odisha and has been selected for the prestigious 32nd Ekalabya Puraskar for 2024 in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the sport. Her remarkable track record includes winning multiple gold medals at the Odisha State Swimming Championships and earning accolades at national and international competitions. This recognition highlights not only her individual talent but also Odisha's growing prominence in the sporting arena, making it a proud moment for the state's sporting community.