1. AK Mohanty appointed as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission
Tags: Person in news
Ajit Kumar Mohanty has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy.
An Overview of the News
Mohanty is a renowned physicist and is currently serving as the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC).
He will be responsible for overseeing India's nuclear program and exploring the use of nuclear energy for non-military purposes.
Mohanty will replace KN Vyas.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Mohanty till the age of 66 years i.e. up to 10.10.2025 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Mohanty was appointed as BARC director in March 2019.
Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC):
It is a nuclear research centre located in Trombay, Mumbai.
It was established in 1954 by a renowned physicist Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, who served as the founding director of the institute.
BARC primarily focuses on nuclear energy research including design and development of nuclear reactors, fuel cycle technologies and radiation processing.
The organisation also conducts basic and applied research in areas such as physics, chemistry and biology.
BARC operates several nuclear facilities, including the Dhruv, Cirrus and Poornima-II reactors.
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) controls BARC, and the DAE reports directly to the Prime Minister's Office.
2. King Charles III confers Britain's Honorary MBE on Dr. M.N. Nandakumar
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King Charles III awarded an Honorary MBE to Dr MN Nandakumar, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and executive director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Center in London, for his contribution to Indian classical arts in Britain.
An Overview of the News
Dr. M.N. Nandakumar has been associated with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Center in London for 46 years and has hosted Prince Charles on several occasions at the centre, which promotes Indian culture.
Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed the award.
The Honorary MBE award is given to foreign nationals for their services in public life.
Dr. Nandakumar originally hails from Mattur village in Karnataka and joined Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Kendra as a Sanskrit teacher while completing his PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London in the 1970s.
He has been the executive director of the building since 1995.
United Kingdom:
It is an island nation located in northwestern Europe, consisting of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
England is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom, and is known for being the birthplace of many famous cultural icons, such as Shakespeare and The Beatles.
London, the capital of England, is a globally influential centre of finance and culture. It is home to many iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and the British Museum.
3. Rajneesh Karnataka appointed as new MD & Chairman of Bank of India
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Rajneesh Karnataka has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chairman of Bank of India (BOI) by the Government of India.
An Overview of the News
Rajneesh Karnataka is currently serving as the Executive Director of Union Bank of India.
He will hold the role of MD & CEO of Bank of India for a period of three years, from the date he assumes charge or until further instructions.
With over 29 years of experience in the banking sector, Karnatak has served as the Chief General Manager of Punjab National Bank before being appointed as the Executive Director of Union Bank of India on October 21, 2021.
Karnataka holds a Master of Commerce degree and is a certified associate from the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB).
About Rajneesh Karnataka's career and experience
He has held several key positions in the banking sector, such as General Manager at Oriental Bank of Commerce, where he headed key departments such as large corporate credit branches, digital banking, credit monitoring and mid-corporate credit.
Following the amalgamation of Oriental Bank of Commerce into Punjab National Bank, Karnatak took over as the head of both Credit Monitoring Division and Corporate Credit Division in PNB.
Karnataka served as non-executive chairman of UBI Services on behalf of Union Bank of India and was a non-independent non-executive director on the board of UBI (UK).
He was also a member of the Governing Board of the Indian Institute of Bank Management (IIBM) in Guwahati.
Karnataka served as a nominee director on behalf of Punjab National Bank on the boards of PNB Housing Finance and India SME Asset Reconstruction Company.
Additionally, he served as the Board Trustee at IIFCL Asset Management Company (IAMCL).
Bank of India:
Founder- Ramnarayan Ruia
Established- 7 September 1906
Headquarters- Mumbai
4. Debdutt Chand appointed as the new Managing Director of Bank of Baroda
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Debdutt Chand was appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of Bank of Baroda (BoB) on 29 April.
An Overview of the News
Chand is currently serving as the Executive Director of the bank.
He will assume the position of MD for a period of three years with effect from July 1, 2023 or until further notice.
The appointment comes after the tenure extension of the previous MD, Sanjiv Chadha, which ended on January 19, 2021, was extended by the government for an additional five months till June 30, 2021.
The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) recommended the name of Debdutt Chand for the post of Managing Director and CEO in Bank of Baroda.
About Debdutt Chand
Chand started his career in 1994 as an officer in Allahabad Bank.
He worked as a manager in Small Industries Development Bank of India [SIDBI] from 1998 to 2005.
He joined Punjab National Bank (PNB) in 2005 as Chief Manager and eventually rose to the rank of Chief General Manager.
Prior to his role as Executive Director in Bank of Baroda, Chand served as the CGM of Mumbai Region in PNB.
Bank of Baroda
Established- 20 July 1908, Vadodara
Founder- Sayajirao Gaekwad III
Headquarters- Alkapuri, Vadodara
5. Indian-American 'Neeli Bendapudi' gets 'Immigrant Achievement Award'
Tags: Person in news
Indian-American citizen 'Neeli Bendapudi' (59) was on 28 April conferred with the prestigious'Immigrant Achievement Award' 2023 for her contribution in the field of higher education in the US.
An Overview of the News:
Neeli Bendapudi is the president of Penn State University.
The award is given each year to an individual or organization for their commitment and dedication to American heritage.
For nearly 30 years, Dr. Bendapudi, President of ‘Penn State University’, has been working to foster student success, inclusive excellence in higher education, and create opportunities for students, faculty and staff.
Raised in India, Bendapudi came to the US to pursue her doctoral studies at the University of Kansas.
After that, in America itself, he made his career in the academic and teaching field.
She is the first black woman to serve as the president of Penn State University.
6. Siddharth Mohanty becomes chairman of LIC
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The government has appointed Siddharth Mohantyas the chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) till June 2024.
An Overview of the News:
The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) recommended the name of Siddharth Mohanty for the post of chairman.
The decision regarding the appointment of Mohanty as LIC chairman was taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by PM Narendra Modi.
Mohanty was serving as the interim chairman of the corporation from March 14, 2023.
Also Chairman Siddhartha Mohanty will be the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the insurance giant from June 2024 to June 2025.
Siddharth Mohanty:
Mohanty holds a post graduate degree in Political Science as well as a law degree.
Mohanty also holds a Post Graduate degree in Business Management and is a licensee from the Insurance Institute of India.
In a career spanning over three decades in the corporation, Mohanty has distinguished himself in the areas of Marketing, HR, Investments and Legal.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC):
LIC (Headquarters Mumbai) was established in the year 1956 by passing the Life Insurance of India Act in the Parliament of India.
It is India's largest life insurance company and also the country's largest investment company.
It is known for continuously bringing innovative and profitable policies in the market. Also its policies are recognized as a benchmark in the insurance market.
7. Renowned scientist Dr.N. Gopalakrishnan passed away
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Renowned scientist and director of the Central Building Research Institute Dr N Gopalakrishnan passed away in April 2023 at the age of 68.
An Overview of the News
Life introduction:
Dr N Gopalakrishnan was born inKochi city of Ernakulam district, Kerala.His father's name was Narayanan Embranthiri and his mother's name was Satyabhama.
His wife's name isRukmini. They are parents to two children named Harish and Hema.
Education Background:
His educational background includes a BE degree from the Faculty of Engineering in Guindy.
M.Sc. (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) - 1978
M.Sc. (Applied Chemistry) - 1979
MA (Industrial Sociology) -1984
Ph.D (Biochemistry) - 1984
D.Litt. (Doctor of Literature) - 2002
Apart from this, he has also obtained an MBA degree.
Carrier:
He worked for 25 years from 1982 as Senior Scientist in CSIR, Government of India.
Visiting Scientist at the University of Alberta, Canada (1993 -94).
Visiting Scientist at National Sanskrit University, Tirupati.
Director, Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage (IISH-Registered Charitable Trust).
Guest faculty member in many other Indian and foreign universities and institutions.
Professional Contribution:
50 research papers in national and international scientific journals
6 patents in science and technology
9 National and International level awards from Science & Technology Scientific Societies.
Thirteen awards for popularizing science and culture.
Authored over 135 books in English and Malayalam, both scientific and cultural.
National and International Fellowship:
DST to popularize science, first NCSTC fellowship from Government of India.
Fellowship of NSERC/Canadian Development Agency (CIDA) Govt.
Dr N Gopalakrishnan has co-authored 61 articles in both foreign and domestic journals.
8. Ratan Tata honoured with Australia's highest civilian honour
Tags: Awards Person in news
Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tatahas received the Order of Australia (AO), Australia's highest civilian honour.
An Overviews of the News
The award was announced by Barry O'Farrell, Australia's High Commissioner to India.
The award was given to Ratan Tata for his contribution in strengthening bilateral relations between India and Australia.
Ratan Tata has been a strong supporter of the 2022 India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a subsidiary of Tata Sons, has the largest workforce of any Indian company in Australia with around 17,000 employees.
Ratan Tata was recently named an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for his contribution to promoting trade, investment and philanthropy between India and Australia.
The recognition came just a month before he received Australia's highest civilian honour for his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
About the Order of Australia
It is an honour awarded to Australian citizens and other individuals in recognition of their exceptional achievements and services.
The honour was created on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, the Queen of Australia, after a recommendation to the Australian Government.
The Order of Australia has various levels including companion (AC), officer (AO), member (AM), medal (OAM) and honorary award.
The Order of Australia also has a motto, which is "Do what you can," and it encourages individuals to strive for excellence in their respective fields.
Established - 14 February 1975
Honoured - achievement and merit in service to Australia or humanity
Chancellor - David Hurley
Sovereign Head - Charles III of Australia
9. TAL Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Breast Surgeon Dr. Raghu Ram Pillarisetti
Tags: Awards Person in news
On 24 April, breast surgeon Dr. Raghu Ram Pillarisettiwas presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Telugu Association of London.
An Overviews of the News
Dr. Raghu Ram is the founder and director of AKIMS-Ushalakshmi Center for Breast Disease, located in Hyderabad.
Dr. Raghu Ram is one of the few persons to have received this prestigious award. He is also the only Indian living outside the UK to have been given this honour.
The Telugu Association of London (TAL) recognized the extraordinary achievements of Dr. Raghu Ram by presenting him with the award during the Ugadi 2023 celebrations.
TAL is the largest Telugu charity organisation in the UK and represents a Telugu speaking community of around 10,000 people in and around London.
Founder President of TAL - Dr. Ramulu Dasoju
Current President of TAL - Bharati Kandukuri
Councillor, Mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow - Raghvinder Sidhu
About United Kingdom
It is a sovereign state located in northwestern Europe and consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Capital - London
Additional Information
On 26 April, Infosys co-founder and chairman Nandan Nilekani was honoured with the 'Lifetime Achievement' award in the Business Today-PwC India Best CEO rankings.
10. Pankaj Singh elected president of Indian Cycling Federation
Tags: Sports Person in news Sports News
BJP MLA from Noidaand son of Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Pankaj Singh was elected as the President of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI).
An Overview of the News
The election was held during the Annual General Body meeting in Nainital, and Pankaj Singh was elected unopposed.
Maninder Pal Singh was elected general secretary for the second time in a row.
Sudesh Kumar from Kerala was elected as the treasurer.
Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Kerala and Telangana elected two members each to the Executive Council.
Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Himachal Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar elected one member each to the Executive Council.
About Cycling Federation of India (CFI)
It is the national governing body for cycling in India and was established in 1946.
It is recognized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for the sport of cycling.
The main responsibilities of the CFI include promoting, developing and regulating cycling activities in India.
The CFI organises various national and international cycling events including road races, track cycling, mountain biking and BMX events.
It also oversees the selection and training of Indian cyclists for major international competitions such as the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
