December 2019 Persons in News

Sakshi Education

Manuel Marrero Cruz appointed as Cuba's first PM in more than 40 years
In Cuba, President Miguel Díaz-Canel has appointed Manuel Marrero Cruz as the country's first prime minister in more than 40 years.

It was reinstated under the rules of a new constitution for the communist-run island passed earlier this year.

Marrero, who has served as tourism minister for 16 years and is an architect by trade, helped boost Cuba's economy by making tourism one of the engines of growth.

The post of prime minister was scrapped in 1976 by the then-revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.

On the other hand, critics say any such changes are purely cosmetic as the Cuban Communist Party and the military remain the only two real decision-making institutions in the country.
Deepak Punia named Jr Wrestler of the Year
Deepak Punia has been named ‘Junior Wrestler of the Year’ by United World Wrestling (UWW).

Deepak had bagged the 86kg freestyle crown in Tallinn, Estonia, in August 2018 to become India’s first World junior champion in 18 years.

He became the first Indian wrestler and second from the country to get the international federation honour.
Niranjan Hiranandani takes over as new Assocham President
Niranjan Hiranandani takes over as the new President of The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (Assocham), the country’s apex organisation of industry and trade.

He will succeed Balkrishan Goenka, the Welspun Group Chairman.

Niranjan Hiranandani is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Hiranandani Group of Companies.
Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane to be next Army Chief
Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane will be the next Chief of Army Staff. He is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Army.

Lt Gen Naravane will succeed Gen Bipin Rawat, who will retire on the 31st December, 2019.

Before taking charge as Vice Chief in September, Lt Gen Naravane was heading the Eastern Command of the Army.

He has served in numerous command and staff appointments in peace, field and highly active counter-insurgency environments in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

He also has had the opportunity of serving as a Defence Attache at the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for three years.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy Lt Gen Naravane, was commissioned into the 7th battalion, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in June 1980.

He has been awarded the Sena Medal (Distinguished) for effectively commanding his battalion in Jammu and Kashmir.

He is also a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal for his services as the Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) in Nagaland and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for commanding of a prestigious strike corps.

He was honoured with Param Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished services as the General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Army Training Command.
Viswanathan Anand’s Autobiography titled ‘Mind Master’ released
Viswanathan Anand has launched his autobiography ‘Mind Master’. Anand’s autobiography is co-authored by sports journalist Susan Ninann.

It has been published by THG Publishing Private Limited.

The book covers wonderful memories of Viswanathan Anand’s journey.

The book offers an insight into Anand’s greatest clashes and worst losses.
Indian-American Dr Monisha Ghosh named 1st woman CTO at FCC in US
Indian-American Dr Monisha Ghosh has been appointed as the first woman Chief Technology Officer at the US government's powerful Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

She will advise Indian-American Chairman of the FCC Ajit Pai and the agency on technology and engineering issues, and work closely with the Office of Engineering and Technology.

Dr Ghosh will take charge on January 13. She replaces Dr Eric Burger.

The FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US territories.

The FCC as an independent US government agency overseen by Congress is the federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing America's communications law and regulations.

Ghosh received her PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1991, and B.Tech from the IIT Kharagpur in 1986.
Finland elects Sanna Marin, the youngest-ever Prime Minister
Finland's Social Democrats elected a 34-year-old former transport minister to the post of the prime minister, making her the youngest head of government in the country's history.

Sanna Marin narrowly won to replace outgoing leader Antti Rinne, who resigned on Tuesday after losing the confidence of the coalition partner Centre Party over his handling of a postal strike.

Former PM Antti Rinne had headed Finland's centre-left five-party coalition since June, and Marin's appointment is unlikely to lead to significant policy changes by the Social Democrat-led administration.

Rinne stepped down after several weeks of political crisis over a plan to cut wages for 700 postal workers.

Parliament is expected to formally swear in the new prime minister tomorrow.
Brigadier Suresh Sallay appointed as State Intelligence Service (SIS)
Brigadier Suresh Sallay, former director of Military Intelligence has been appointed as head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS).

It is the first time in the history of Sri Lanka that a military officer appointed as head of the SIS.

His appointment comes three weeks after former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected president promising greater security.
Soma Roy Burman appointed as new Controller General of Accounts (CGA)
Soma Roy Burman on 01 December, 2019 took charge as the new Controller General of Accounts, CGA.

She is the 24th CGA and the seventh woman to hold this coveted position. She took over from J P S Chawla.

Burman, a 1986-batch Indian Civil Accounts Service officer has held cadre positions at different levels in Central government Ministries during her 33-year long career. Prior to assuming the charge of CGA, Burman served as Additional Controller General of Accounts in the office of the CGA. She handled the critical areas of accounting rules, policy and reforms, financial reporting, data analytics, cash and budget management.
Hari Mohan took charge as the chairman of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)
Senior officer Hari Mohan took charge as the chairman of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). He replaced Saurabh Kumar who was superannuated from the services.
Hari Mohan:
- Hari Mohan is a 1982-batch Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS) officer. He topped at University of Allahabad and University of Pune post-graduate degree in mechanical engineering.
- With his almost four decades of service, Mohan contributed significantly at various positions including Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) Haridwar, Ordnance Factory Chanda and Ordnance Factory Dehu Road, Maharashtra, Vehicle Factory Jabalpur, Engine Factory Avadi, Heavy Vehicle Factory Avadi, Ammunition Factory Khadki, Ordnance Factory Bolangir, Odisha, OFB New Delhi Office and Ministry of Steel & Mines.
Soma Roy appointed as the new Controller General of Accounts
The government appointed Soma Roy Burman as the new Controller General of Accounts (CGA) with effect from 1 December 2019.

Ms. Burman is the 24th CGA of India. She is the seventh woman to hold this position.
Lt Gen Podali Shankar Rajeshwar took charge as Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN)
Lt Gen Podali Shankar Rajeshwar took charge as the Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN) on 1 December 2019. He is the 14th CINCAN. Before the appointment, he served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).
Lt Gen Rajeshwar:
- Lt Gen Rajeshwar is a graduate of the Indian Military Academy (IMA). In December 1980, he was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery.
- He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Army War College and National Defence College in New Delhi and Philippines.
- Lt Gen Rajeshwar served on various staff assignments and also been UN Military Observer in Mozambique and Rwanda.
- He was a part of the Operation Meghdoot and Operation Rakshak. He has commanded a Medium Regiment in Operation Parakram, the Counter Insurgency (Romeo) Force in Jammu & Kashmir and a Corps in the Desert sector.
Ursula von der Leyen took charge as the President of European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen took charge as the President of the European Commission. She replaced Jean-Claude Juncker.

She is the first woman to become the President of the European Commission.

Ms.Ursula:
- Ms.Ursula, the 60-year-old gynecologist, started her political career at her early age of 40. In 1990 she joined Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union party (CDU) and worked for 14 years.
- Leyen moved to the Labor Ministry in 2009. She became the first female defense minister in 2014.
Shivangi became the first naval woman pilot in India
Sub-Lieutenant Shivangi of the Indian Navy became the first naval woman pilot in India. She joined operational duties at the Kochi naval base on 2 December 2019.

Shivangi received the qualification wings from Vice Admiral AK Chawla, the chief of Southern Naval Command. She will fly the Naval Dornier.
Sub-Lieutenant Shivangi:
- Sub-Lieutenant Shivangi is from Muzzafarpur in Bihar. She was inducted into the Indian Navy as Short Service Commission (SSC) (pilot).
- It is a part of the 27 NOC course in the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala. She was commissioned in June 2018.