Current Affairs - Persons

Ghanavenothan Retnam, a renowned classical musician, received Singapore's prestigious Cultural Medallion for his contributions to Indian music. He is the first Indian classical musician to be honoured with this accolade, acknowledging his 40-year dedication to promoting Indian classical music. As a bansuri maestro, Retnam also established Singapore's first Carnatic flute ensemble in 2019, showcasing his efforts to preserve and innovate within the Indian musical tradition.

US Awasthi, MD of IFFCO, received the 2024 Rochdale Pioneers Award from the International Cooperative Alliance. This significant accolade highlights his contributions to the cooperative sector, where his leadership propelled IFFCO's production capacity by 292% and net worth by 688%. Awasthi is only the second Indian to receive this award, the first being Verghese Kurien, recognized in 2001. This award cements Awasthi's role in advancing cooperative growth globally.

Victoria Kjaer Theilvig made history by becoming Denmark's first-ever Miss Universe, winning the coveted title at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico. The 21-year-old from Søborg outshone 125 participants from around the globe, showcasing her intelligence, elegance, and advocacy for mental health awareness and animal welfare. With her remarkable achievement, Victoria has become a global sensation, inspiring millions worldwide. Her journey to the top began with her title as Miss Denmark, followed by a Top 20 finish at Miss Grand International 2022 and her crowning as Miss Universe Denmark 2024.

Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram secured a notable victory in the Chennai Grand Masters 2024, outperforming American Grandmaster Levon Aronian. This prestigious tournament, organized by MGD1 and sponsored by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, featured two categories: Masters and Challengers. Meanwhile, GM V Pranav delivered an impressive performance in the Challengers section, remaining unbeaten throughout the competition to claim the title. Aravindh Chithambaram's win showcases his skill and reinforces his position among the world's top chess players.

Vikram Misri, a seasoned diplomat from the 1989 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, has had his tenure as Foreign Secretary extended until July 14, 2026. He assumed this role on July 15, 2024, and has previously held significant positions in the Ministry of External Affairs, PMO, and Indian Missions abroad across various continents. This extension allows him to serve beyond his initial superannuation date of November 30. Misri's extensive experience in international diplomacy and relations makes him a key figure in shaping India's foreign policy.