Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Praveen Vashista has been appointed as the Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs, succeeding Sivagami Sundari Nanda, who will retire on December 31, 2024. Vashista, a 1991-batch IPS officer from the Bihar cadre, will serve in this key role until July 31, 2026. Prior to this appointment, he held the position of Additional Secretary in the Home Affairs Ministry and served as Officer on Special Duty. His experience in internal security matters positions him well for this significant responsibility within the government.

Aishath Azeema, a senior diplomat with extensive experience, has been appointed as the new Maldivian envoy to India, succeeding Ibrahim Shaheeb. Azeema began her foreign service career in 1988 and served as the Maldivian ambassador to China from June 2019 to September 2023. She has also previously held the position of deputy ambassador to the UK. Her appointment marks a continuation of strong diplomatic ties between the Maldives and India.

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.