Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) appointed T R Sharma as its new director, replacing Ashok K Singh. Currently holding the position of Deputy Director General (Crop Science) at ICAR, Sharma brings substantial experience and expertise in agricultural sciences to his new role. His appointment is aimed at further advancing research and innovation in agriculture, aligning with India's agricultural development goals under ICAO's leadership

Challa Sreenivasulu Setty has been chosen by the Financial Services Institution Bureau (FSIB) to succeed Dinesh Khara as the next chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI). Setty, currently serving as the senior Managing Director at SBI, brings over 35 years of experience within the bank, having held various significant roles including Deputy Managing Director and Chief General Manager. His selection reflects his extensive banking expertise and leadership capabilities in navigating complex financial landscapes.

Ravi Agrawal, a 1988-batch IRS officer, has been appointed as the new chairman of the CBDT, succeeding Nitin Gupta. His appointment extends till June 2025, with a reappointment on a contract basis to ensure continuity in the CBDT’s policy framework. Agrawal's role involves overseeing critical tax policy decisions and managing the Income Tax Department's operations under the Union government's administration.

Dr Usha Thakur has been honoured with the 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman for her exceptional contributions to Hindi literature and her efforts in fostering cultural ties between India and Nepal. The award ceremony took place during a specially organized Hindi Samvad event at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal, recognizing her significant achievements in the field of linguistics and literature.

Sanjana Thakur, a 26-year-old writer from Mumbai, emerged as the winner of the GBP 5,000 Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024. Her winning story, "Aishwarya Rai," creatively reimagines and reverses traditional adoption narratives, exploring themes of family and self in urban settings. Thakur's narrative style, characterized by brutal irony and wry humour, impressed the judging panel led by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi.