Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Dr. S. Somnath, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), received the prestigious IAF World Space Award for leading the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission. This historic achievement marked India as the first nation to land near the Moon's South Pole. As ISRO chief, Dr Somnath played a crucial role in India's space exploration endeavours. His contributions have been recognized globally, and this award is a testament to his exceptional leadership and vision in the field of space technology.

Amit Kumar, currently serving as Executive Director at Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), is slated to take over as the Chairman & Managing Director of AI Assets Holding Limited. This entity operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, providing unified asset-holding services for the government. Notably, Amit Kumar's new role signifies a significant shift in leadership within the organization. Interestingly, there is another notable figure with the same name, Amit Kumar, a renowned playback singer and actor, son of legendary singer-actor Kishore Kumar.

Partha Pratim Sengupta has taken the reins as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Bandhan Bank, replacing founder Chandra Sekhar Ghosh who resigned on July 9, 2024. Sengupta brings 40 years of banking experience, having led the Indian Overseas Bank and held key roles at the State Bank of India. His appointment is for a three-year term, effective November 10, 2024. With Ratan Kesh serving as interim MD and CEO, Sengupta's leadership is expected to bring clarity and stability to Bandhan Bank's operations.

Noel Tata has been appointed as the chairman of Tata Trusts, which holds a significant 66% ownership of Tata Sons. This pivotal role positions him to influence the strategic, investment, and philanthropic directions of the Tata Group, one of India's largest conglomerates valued at $165 billion. His appointment follows the death of his half-brother, Ratan Tata, marking an important transition for the Trusts and the broader Tata Group. The Tata Trusts play a critical role in the governance of Tata Sons by appointing a third of the board members and holding veto power over significant decisions, thus ensuring a strategic direction aligned with the group’s philanthropic goals.

L Satya Srinivas, an IRS officer from the 1991 batch (Customs & Indirect Taxes) and Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, has been appointed as the CEO of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). He replaces P K Singh, who was recently appointed as Secretary in the Ministry of Renewable Energy. GeM, launched in August 2016, is an online platform aimed at streamlining public procurement in India. Srinivas will now oversee the operations and future developments of this crucial government initiative.