Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

The Supreme Court appointed former Chief Justice of India, Uday Umesh Lalit, as the chairman of the search and selection committee for appointing vice-chancellors in West Bengal’s state-run universities. This decision was made by a division bench of the Supreme Court on July 9, 2024, following a special leave petition by the West Bengal government.

In a special ceremony in the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin of Russia conferred "The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle," Russia's highest national award, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his significant contribution to strengthening India-Russia ties. This award, announced in 2019, marks PM Modi as the first Indian leader to receive this prestigious honour, highlighting the depth of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Prof. (Dr.) Soumya Swaminathan has been appointed as the Principal Adviser for the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme at the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Her role is on a pro bono basis, emphasizing her dedication to public health service and her commitment to eradicating tuberculosis in India. In this capacity, she will provide strategic guidance, technical advice, and policy direction, and shape the research strategy to enhance the program’s effectiveness.

The Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) board has approved the reappointment of Satyanarayan Goel as its Chairman and Managing Director for a new three-year term starting August 10, 2024. Goel’s extensive knowledge in the power sector and over 40 years of experience were key factors in this decision. His current term was set to end on August 9, 2024, due to the age limit specified in the Companies Act, 2013.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCLTech, received France's highest civilian honour, the "Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur," for her exemplary contributions to business, sustainability initiatives, and fostering economic relations between France and India. The award, presented by the French Ambassador to India, recognizes her outstanding service across these domains, highlighting her leadership and impact on international business and diplomatic fronts.