Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Siddhartha Mohanty, who previously served as the Chairman of LIC, has been re-designated as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the company from 30 June 2024. His extensive experience in various roles within LIC, coupled with his educational background in Political Science and Law, positions him as a seasoned leader capable of steering LIC through its strategic objectives in the insurance sector.

Charulatha S Kar has been appointed as Executive Director at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), effective July 1, 2024. With a career spanning over three decades at RBI, she brings extensive experience in areas such as Payment and Settlement Systems, Information Technology, and Government Banking. Her new role includes oversight of the Department of Communication, among other responsibilities. Charulatha S Kar's appointment underscores her expertise and leadership within RBI, focusing on enhancing communication strategies and managing key institutional functions in India's central banking system.

Dhirendra K Ojha, a senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer of the 1990 batch, has been appointed as the principal spokesperson of the central government. Alongside this role, he will also serve as the principal director general of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), playing a crucial role in managing government communications and interactions with the media. His appointment aims to enhance the government’s information dissemination strategy and streamline communication across ministries and departments.

Justice Sheel Nagu has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, succeeding Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia. His appointment follows a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium and fills the vacancy left after the retirement of Chief Justice RS Jha. Justice Nagu previously served as Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and has a distinguished career marked by numerous reported judgments and contributions to the judiciary in India.

Dr. B.N. Gangadhar, a renowned figure in the field of mental health and medical administration, has been officially appointed as the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC). His previous roles include directorship at NIMHANS and presidency at the Medical Assessment and Rating Board, highlighting his extensive experience and suitability for leading the NMC. This appointment is aimed at enhancing medical education and healthcare governance in India through his expertise and leadership.