The B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2 COVID-19 variants that were first identified in India, have been named as 'Kappa' and 'Delta' respectively by the World Health Organization.
V. Karthikeyan Pandian, the IAS officer and Private Secretary to Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik has been recognised with FIH Presidents Award during the Congress.