Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Daljit Singh Chawdhary, who is the Director General of Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB), took over the additional charge of the Director General Border Security Force (BSF) on August 3, 2024. Chawdhary, an Indian Police Service officer of the 1990 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has had a distinguished career, including central deputation roles and significant accolades such as 4 police medals for Gallantry, the police medal for meritorious service, the President’s police medal for distinguished service, and the Ati Utkrisht seva medal. His extensive experience and accomplishments have prepared him for this significant leadership role in the BSF.

Dr. Grinson George has been appointed as the Director of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). With over 20 years of experience in fishery research, Dr. George previously led CMFRI's Marine Biodiversity and Environment Management Division and served as a Senior Programme Specialist at SAARC in Dhaka. His extensive background in fishery resource management, marine biodiversity, environment management, and climate change has equipped him to lead high-impact research projects funded by prominent national and international agencies.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, along with his wife Anjali Pichai, was honoured by their alma mater, IIT Kharagpur. Pichai was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree during a ceremony in San Francisco. This honour acknowledged his significant contributions to the field of technology and his leadership at one of the world’s most influential companies. The event highlighted the global impact of IIT Kharagpur and fulfilled the aspirations of Pichai's family regarding higher education.

Sanjay Shukla has assumed the role of Managing Director (MD) of the National Housing Bank (NHB) as of July 30, 2024. With a career spanning over three decades in housing and retail asset finance, Shukla has held notable positions, including business head at ING Vysya Bank and founding MD of Centrum Housing Finance Limited. His extensive experience and leadership have significantly impacted the financial institutions he has led, contributing to his appointment as MD at NHB.

Preeti Sudan, the former Union Health Secretary, is appointed as the Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), effective from August 1, 2024. This decision follows the resignation of the outgoing Chairperson, Manoj Soni. Ms. Sudan's tenure is expected to last until April 2025, aligning with the age limit for the UPSC leadership role as stipulated by the Constitution.