People

Vellayan Subbiah, Chairman of Cholamandalam Finance and Executive Vice Chairman of Tube Investments of India, has been awarded the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2023 (EOY). “The nine-member independent jury led by K V Kamath, former chairman, ICICI Bank, selected Subbiah as the EOY 2023 winner for his bold strategies to transform existing businesses while seizing new opportunities through acquisitions and diversification, which not only helped him grow his group companies to unprecedented scale but also created four times increase in shareholder value in just three years,” EY said. Subbiah will represent India at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award (WEOY) in Monte Carlo from 4-7 June 2024. Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, was conferred the Special Jury Award for outstanding leadership of the Tata Group and contributions to nation-building. “His bold strategies of strengthening the core businesses, enabling group synergies, focusing on scale while creating a strong and empowered team have bolstered the Group’s market position and doubled its market capitalization from $170 billion to an astounding $365 billion,” EY said. The 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor Company, was recognized for his decades of entrepreneurial excellence in revolutionizing the two-wheeler industry in India. “By exemplifying quality, innovation and sustainable practices, Venu Srinivasan has won several global and Indian awards including the prestigious Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan in 2010 and 2020 respectively,” EY added. Reflecting on the winners’ achievements, Rajiv Memani, Chairman and CEO, EY India, said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed winners and finalists of EOY 2023. They are true symbols of entrepreneurial excellence, who have transformed their businesses and created new markets where none existed. What distinguishes all of them is the scale, customer centricity and innovation with which they have built their businesses.”

Unparalleled contributions

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was honoured with the KISS Humanitarian Award 2023 in a significant recognition of his philanthropic work. The ceremony took place last fortnight in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The award acknowledges Gates for his unparalleled contributions to enhancing global health, and education, and addressing climate change through innovative technology solutions aimed at reducing inequality. The award ceremony featured virtual participation from the staff and students of KIIT and KISS, along with alumni. Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT, KISS & KIMS said, “Awarding Bill Gates with the KISS Humanitarian Award not only honours his exceptional contributions but also elevates the prestige of this recognition. His acceptance sets a new benchmark for humanitarian work globally. It is a profound honour for us that Bill Gates is joining the esteemed roster of our awardees.” In his acceptance speech, Gates expressed deep gratitude for the recognition and reflected on the transformative work of Samanta and KISS. “Thank you so much for this wonderful award, and for welcoming me here. Though I should be the one congratulating you on all you have accomplished,” said Gates. He lauded Dr. Samanta’s vision and dedication to providing quality education to indigenous communities and highlighted the importance of civic engagement and a community-first approach to education.

Grace and dedication

International Women’s Day is not only about identity, but also legacy. To commemorate the work of their erstwhile member of staff, Enable – a unique memoir cum motivational book and textbook on the paramedical profession of OT – was formally launched at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai by director C. Pramesh last fortnight. Originally written by the late award-winning Occupational Therapist Aruna Padmakar Tole, then head of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. The book has been redrafted and co-authored by journalist Kalyani Sardesai and the noted TIFR neuroscientist Dr. Shubha Tole, daughter of Aruna Tole. “The book was my late mother’s long-standing dream and the sum of her life’s work,” said Shubha Tole. The massive treasure trove of source material on hand, Shubha and Kalyani together redrafted the book with a first section that is more accessible to a non-specialist audience, and a second that is more technical and has valuable educational details for students and practitioners of OT.  Enable was launched by C. Pramesh, Director Tata Memorial Hospital, in the presence of Dr Sudeep Gupta. Director Tata Memorial Centre, Padmakar Tole (Aruna Tole’s husband), and Capt Prashant Tole (son). K. Kasturirangan, former chairman, Indian Space Resource Organisation, commented: “People like Aruna Tole must be honoured by society because the relevance of their work is broader than the conventional professionals. Her boundless energy, creativity and compassion made all the difference in bringing succour to patients when they needed help, a valuable contribution to humanity. My late wife was one of those touched by her grace and dedication.” The book will be donated to medical libraries and OT training programmes across the country.

Sustainable solutions

India’s first Shashwat Bharat Setu – Winning Net Zero exhibit, a unique and pathbreaking mobile learning and awareness centre to achieve Net Zero and sustainable India, developed by The Eco Factory Foundation (TEFF) Pune, was launched last fortnight at Nagpur.  “Shashwat Bharat Setu was launched to create awareness and inspire everyone to adopt net zero and sustainable lifestyle with ease. We hope that the centre reaches and inspires many to join us on this journey towards a sustainable future,” said Anand Chordia, founder TEFF. Chordia explained various concepts like the ‘waste to wealth, water management, energy conservation, how to reduce carbon footprint, importance of circular economy, achieving sustainability in rural, urban, industrial and individual sectors, and how to become Net Zero at large. This centre was inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways. Praising the unique initiative, Gadkari said, “Congratulations to The Eco Factory Foundation for putting up such an exceptional exhibit. The Shashwat Bharat Setu has touched upon very crucial points that will revitalise our environment and in turn our planet. The Shashwat Bharat Setu exemplifies the concept of ‘waste to wealth,’ providing sustainable solutions that not only benefit the environment but also create livelihood opportunities for communities”, he said. He further expressed his hope that the centre would inspire the nation to contribute to making India a Net Zero country.

Telecom mogul Sunil Bharti Mittal has been awarded Honorary Knighthood by the British King in recognition of his services to the UK and India business relations. Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, which owns the country’s second largest telecom firm Airtel, is the first Indian to be awarded the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by King Charles III. The KBE is among the highest honours conferred by the British Sovereign to civilians. It is awarded in an honorary capacity to foreign nationals. Mittal, whose Airtel Africa is listed on the London Stock Exchange, in recent months led the revival of OneWeb (now known as Eutelsat), leading a consortium with the UK Government and other strategic investors to offer satellite broadband services globally. He is a member of the India-UK CEO Forum as well as a member of the Vice Chancellor’s Circle of Advisors at the University of Cambridge. Commenting on the award, Mittal, 66, said, “I am deeply humbled by this gracious recognition from His Majesty, King Charles. UK and India have historical relations, which are now entering a new era of increased cooperation and collaboration. I remain committed to working towards strengthening the economic and bilateral trade relationships between our two great nations. I am thankful to the Government of UK, whose support and keen attention to the needs of business has been critical in making the country an attractive investment destination,” he said. “The UK and India have historical relations, which are now entering a new era of increased cooperation and collaboration. I remain committed to working towards strengthening the economic and bilateral trade relationships between our two great nations,” he said.