Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Preeti Sudan, the former Union Health Secretary, is appointed as the Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), effective from August 1, 2024. This decision follows the resignation of the outgoing Chairperson, Manoj Soni. Ms. Sudan's tenure is expected to last until April 2025, aligning with the age limit for the UPSC leadership role as stipulated by the Constitution.

V. Vedachalam, a distinguished Tamil epigrapher and historian, was honoured with the V Venkayya Epigraphy Award in 2024. This award acknowledges his extensive contributions to the field of Indian epigraphy, including authorship of numerous books on diverse subjects such as numismatics, temple art, religion, and society. The award, instituted by Sunitha Madhavan and associated with the Tamil Heritage Trust, celebrates exceptional contributions to epigraphy, underscoring its significance in understanding India's historical heritage.

Manoj Mittal has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) by the Government of India. He brings over 33 years of experience in the financial services sector, having previously served as the Managing Director of the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) and as the Deputy Managing Director at Sidbi. Sidbi, established on April 2, 1990, is the Principal Financial Institution for promoting, financing, and developing the MSME sector in India.

Suhel Ajaz Khan, who is currently serving as the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has also been concurrently accredited as the Ambassador to Yemen. This dual role involves representing India's interests in Yemen from his base in Riyadh. Yemen is a sovereign state located in the southern Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the Indian Ocean. This appointment highlights Khan's expanded diplomatic responsibilities in the region.

HS Dhaliwal, a 1997-batch IPS officer, was appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on July 25, 2024. Prior to this appointment, he served as the special commissioner of police in New Delhi, overseeing traffic zone II. Dhaliwal is known for solving several high-profile cases, including the Dhaula Kuan gangrape and the murder case of Punjabi singer-turned-politician Sidhu Moosewala.