Over 35,000 sq. metres of spectacular shopping. Thousands of limited editions and travel exclusives. Hundreds of the world’s most desirable brands. But only one glorious destination: Dubai Duty Free.
lory lies in the attempt to reach one’s goal and not in reaching it.” These famous words by none other than Mahatma Gandhi sum up the grand odyssey of India in its march towards glory in Amrit Kal. With each passing day, the nation is making great strides towards the realm of glory with a vision of contributing to a better world! The nation celebrated 75 years of its independence on 15th August 2022 and has started working on the roadmap of being a developed nation in 25 years from now, that is in 2047. Recently, India took the world centre-stage by assuming the G20 Presidency. The country has since then been garnering popularity from all quarters, as being hailed as inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented; led by the belief of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
India’s G20 presidency has decisively signalled its emergence as a significant player on the global stage. While most countries in the world, both developed and developing, have found it difficult to effectively handle the challenges thrown up by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India, through its bold leadership under the world’s most popular leader – PM Narendra Modi –and prudent policies, has been able to successfully navigate the headwinds it has encountered over the last three years.
AsiaOne Media Group leaves no stone unturned in disseminating the success sagas of India and Indians to each and every corner of the world! No wonder ‘Celebrating 75 Years of India’s Independence’ was the theme of the 18th Edition of Asia-Africa Business & Social Forum 2022 Awards & Business Summit, which concluded successfully on the 25th of August’22 at the majestic Taj Palace Hotel, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. The Forum’s main aim was to highlight the Glorious Journey of Development & Progress commemorating 75 Years of Indian Excellence! Through the theme of the Pride of the Nation Series Awards & Business Summit; India’s Greatest Brands & Leaders, the Forum highlighted the
envious social and economic progress India has achieved since independence.
At the same time, the Forum witnessed gracious participation of some of the great leaders of our time – Hon’ble Indian Central Government Ministers, Ambassadors, Business Owners, Investors and professionals like CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, CHROs, from India, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and US.
AsiaOne’s Bharatiya Mahantam Vikas Puraskar celebrates exceptional disruptors like Sadhguru, Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattarjee, Dr. JC Chaudhry and a few others who have turned many social adversities into opportunities. Owing to these captains from the world of spirituality, health, business, technology, and social work, India is charting new trajectories of growth and prosperity.
Some great leaders have cast a remarkable impression on the globe. They not only ‘lead by example,’ but also ensure that they inspire others to attain excellence. Leaders like Rishi Sunak, Amancio Ortega, Gautam Adani and Erik Solheim have been featured under a section titled ‘Global Leader of the Year’ awardees.
The foundation of contemporary society is built on the journeys of people, for trade, and various other reasons. With their wide knowledge, the Ambassadors of Georgia, Hungary, Morocco, Panama, Poland, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo, and Consul General of Montenegro introduce the readers of AsiaOne Magazine to lesser known, must-visit locations that have the best of many worlds.
As India is gearing up for achieving the goals to be accomplished during the Amrit Kaal, we are pleased to bring the final part of our trilogy on ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ a detailed compilation with messages of various Indian Central government ministers and ambassadors.
We, at AsiaOne, believe that the only way for the world to accomplish balanced growth is women empowerment. Our Women Empowerment section brings to the limelight the stories of a few women leaders who are not only at the top of their game, but also changing its rules with their merit. Leaders like Dr. Mallika Nadda, Dr.
Bina Modi, and Jaya Subramaniam will inspire umpteen others to follow their lead.
Driven by zeal and determination to bring a change in economy and society, our Most Influential Young Leaders like Ananya Birla, Anant Goenka are star performers, who are armed with ideas, knowledge, experience, self-confidence, and stamina to overcome unending challenges.
A Readers’ Page is being introduced in our subsequent issues. You may send your articles for this page and some constructive feedback on our endeavours and stories. Do share with us for all that you feel is valuable and intend to share.
RICHA SANG Chief Editor
richa@asiaone.co.in @richa_sang
MEENAKSHI KAKRAN
GLOBAL HEAD & PRINCIPAL PARTNER
RAJAT SHUKAL rajat@asiaone.co.in
CEO & PUBLISHER
SANDEEP KUMAR sandeep@asiaone.co.in
EDITORIAL
CHIEF EDITOR
EDITOR
SENIOR LEAD, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
RICHA SANG richa@asiaone.co.in
JYOTI VERMA jyoti@asiaone.co.in
CELL BONN SHELLY cellbonn@asiaone.co.in
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
COO
MEENAKSHI KAKRAN
GENERAL MANAGER
ROMISA HASSAN
RESEARCH & PROJECTS
SENIOR ASSOCIATE, EDITORIAL & RESEARCH - EUROPE
VICE PRESIDENT
PAOLA MARTANI DEEPIKA SHARMA
INDERJEET JAIN
SUBSCRIPTION
dubai@asiaone.co.in
VICE PRESIDENT
GENERAL MANAGER
GENERAL MANAGER
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER
ASST. GENERAL MANAGER MANAGER MANAGER MANAGER
NASRULLAH KHAN
ALISH PEKHA
ROHAN GULATI
RAJASHRI SARKAR
MERCY JESSICA
RHYTHM TANEJA
KOMAL TANWAR
CORPORATE MARKETING ART DESK
ADITI KHANDELWAL
ASST. ART DIRECTOR
SR. DESIGNER
INDERJEET JAIN
GAURAV SHARMA
ADVERTISEMENT
global@asiaone.co.in
Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of URS Media Consulting Pvt. Ltd. We, at URS AsiaOne do our best to verify the information published. Hence, we do not take responsibility for complete accuracy of the information. URS Media Consulting Pvt. Ltd. does not take responsibility for any investment or any other decision taken by a reader on the basis of information provided here upon.
AsiaOne Ltd. is headquartered at Office #213, Bldg. 6EA, East Wing, Dubai, Airport Freezone, UAE. URS AsiaOne Pte.Ltd. 151 Chin Swee Road #07-12, Manhattan House, Singapore ( 169876 ) Phone : +65 94872470 It’s India Research and Publishing House is Located at Office No. 606, 6th Floor, DLF South Court, Saket District Centre, New Delhi – 110017, India. www.asiaone.me, www.asiaone.co.in
URS AsiaOne does not accept responsibility for returning unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. All unsolicited material should be accompanied by self-addressed envelopes and sufficient postage.
Published and printed by Sandeep Kumar for and on behalf of the owner. URS Media Consulting Pvt. Ltd. at Office No. 606, 6th Floor, DLF South Court, Saket District Centre, New Delhi – 110017, India and printed at G. H. International, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase – I, New Delhi, India. Editor: Richa Sang.
Increasing strength and durability of natural stones and tiles with quality and innovative products since 2013.
desh ka majboot adhesive
We are Marmo Solutions. A Marble and Tile solution products company. Over the years we have expanded our operations from laying stone to post-installation services. Today we are an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System company supplying, stone and marble solutions including stone adhesives, cleaners, stain removers, and much more for both residential and commercial construction.
MARKETED BY: MARMO SOLUTIONS PVT LTD.: Whs 1/18 2nd floor, kirti nagar, new delhi-110015 Customer No. 01140586081 | For any query / Feedback | email: info@marmosolutions.com
MUMBAI
Shop No. 47a, Ground And First Floor, Parmar Compound Near Laxmi Narayan Temple, Highway Road, Vile Parle East, Mumbai - 400099
BENGALURU 314, Shikaram(Meghna) 2c Raghavendra Layout, Near Muneshwara Bus Stop, Munnekolala,marathahalli, Bengaluru - 560037
GURUGRAM LGF,N14/31 DLF PHASE - II, GURUGRAM
ANWAR IBRAHIM BECOMES MALAYSIA’S NEW
PRIME MINISTER
Anwar Ibrahim has been sworn in as the tenth Prime Minister of Malaysia. The 75-year-old began his political journey as a student activist and rose to the rank of Deputy Prime Minister in the 1990s. His election as the Prime Minister was not easy, as Malaysian voters delivered the country’s first-ever hung parliament. Mr Ibrahim’s reform-minded Pakatan Harapan coalition won 81 seats. The Perikatan Nasional Alliance of Muhyiddin Yassin won 73 seats.
Following a meeting with state rulers and in line with the Malaysian constitution, the king appointed Anwar as prime minister. His tenure could be turbulent, with inflation soaring, growth slowing, and the country suffering economic fallout from the pandemic. His rival, the former Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin has already challenged him to prove his majority in parliament.
Anwar’s progressive coalition edged Muhyiddin’s mostly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance, in a country where race and religion remain divisive issues. For decades, Anwar has called for inclusiveness and an overhaul of the political system in the multi-ethnic country. Ethnic Malays constitute 70% of the population, while ethnic Chinese or Indians make the rest 30%. Anwar has been denied the premiership despite getting within striking distance a number of times over the last few years. He was Deputy Prime Minister in the 1990s and the official Prime Ministerin-Waiting in 2018. With the support of all 30 lawmakers in the UMNO alliance, Anwar was able to secure a majority.
AUSTRALIA-INDIA CENTRE FOR ENERGY TO WORK ON UN SDGS
Australia and India are working together to ensure a clean and sustainable environment for future generations as part of a comprehensive strategic partnership initiative between the two countries. The bilateral relationship between the two countries is at an all-time high, highlighting the importance of collaboration between India
and Australia to power the global transformation to a low-carbon future. For this, The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras is partnering with Australian universities to launch Australia-India Centre for Energy (AICE) to work on UN Sustainable Development Goals. The AICE aims to promote collaboration among universities, research institutes, and industry from both the countries in the energy domain. All partners will have an equal footing, and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission will be a catalyst to foster partnerships with industry in the sector from both countries to the Centre.
INDIA’S FIRST HOMEGROWN CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE UNVEILED
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, to prevent cervical cancer, could be manufactured in India by April-May 2023. The vaccine will be available at one-tenth of the cost of internationally branded vaccines in the country.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh announced the scientific completion of India’s first indigenously developed vaccine, CERVAVAC for the prevention of cervical cancer. Developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), the quadrivalent Human Papilloma Virus (qHPV) vaccine against cervical cancer is affordable and cost-effective. CERVAVAC is an outcome of a partnership
INDIA GETS A PRIVATE ROCKET LAUNCHPAD
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has set up the first privately designed and operated rocket launchpad and mission control centre in India. Unveiled by Mr. S. Somanath, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary - Department of Space (DoS), the facility is designed and will be fully operated by Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos.
The launchpad and mission control centre, located in ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh are four kilometers apart. The launchpad was designed to accommodate and support liquid stage-controlled launches. Agnikul Cosmos has plans to launch its Agnibaan rocket from this launchpad. It is a two-stage launch vehicle that is capable of taking payloads of up to 100 kilograms to a
low-earth orbit around 700 kilometres from the surface of the Earth. The Agnibaan rocket will be powered by the company’s 3D-printed Agnilet engines. The payload aboard a rocket is typically satellites deployed in orbits as required by companies.
According to ISRO, any private space firm would be allowed to set up their launch facilities in ISRO premises—by making requisite payments towards the use of the latter. ISRO facilities are currently being enabled by the Centre’s nodal space body, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (In-Space). Once the final version of the National Space Policy is unveiled, a transfer of technology clause under the policy will enable private firms to access or share ISRO infrastructure.
of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, supported by SII for the indigenous development of the qHPV vaccine through its partnership programme, Grand Challenges India. The Indian government will be able to roll out the vaccine under its national health programme for girls aged between 9 and 14 years. The DBT has made strenuous efforts to strengthen the Indian vaccine research and development over the past three decades.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted market authorisation to the SII to manufacture the indigenous HPV vaccine.
WORLD’S LONGEST RIVER CRUISE MV GANGA VILAS FLAGGED OFF
The world’s longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi via video conferencing on January 13. He also inaugurated the tent city at Varanasi and laid the foundation stones for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore.
MV Ganga Vilas is the firstever cruise vessel to be made in India. The river cruise will go through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bangladesh till Assam. It will begin its journey from Varanasi in UP and travel around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh via Bangladesh, sailing across 27 river systems in India and Bangladesh.
MV Ganga Vilas has three
decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36 tourists, and all the luxury amenities. The maiden voyage has 32 tourists from Switzerland signing up for the entire length of the journey.
The 51-day cruise is planned with visits to 50 tourist spots, including World Heritage Sites, National Parks, River Ghats, and major cities like Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Guwahati in Assam. The journey will give the tourists an opportunity to experience the art, culture, history, and spirituality of India and Bangladesh.
The Tent City, developed by Varanasi Development Authority, has been set up on the banks of the River Ganga, opposite to city ghats.
PM MODI CALLS FOR MINDSET SHIFT AS INDIA ASSUMES G20 PRESIDENCY
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a “fundamental mindset shift” to shape a new paradigm of human-centric globalisation, as India assumed the presidency of the G20 on December 1, 2022.
In a blog, the PM underscored the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One World, One Family, One Future), and listed terror, climate change, pandemic as the greatest challenges that can be best fought together.
Gone is the time to remain trapped in the same old zerosum mindset, which has led to bot scarcity and conflict, the PM said, adding that India’s G20 presidency will work to boost a universal sense of oneness.
Narendra Modi said India’s G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just members, but also fellowtravellers in the Global South –Asia, Africa and Latin America – whose voice often goes unheard.
BRITISH PM ANNOUNCES UK-INDIA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS SCHEME
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a new “partnership” with India at the G20 summit in Bali. Under the UK-India Young Professionals Scheme, the UK will annually offer 3,000 degree-holding Indians in the 18–30-year age group places to work in the country for up to two years. The reciprocal scheme will also involve British nationals living and working in India.
The UK-India Young Professionals Scheme was signed as part of the UK-India Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP). It is being dubbed as a “significant moment” for the bilateral relationship and the UK’s wider commitment to forging stronger links with the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen both Indian and British economies. It is also seen as an effort to propel the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between
the two countries.
The UK has more links with India than almost any country in the IndoPacific region, as nearly a quarter of all international students in the UK are from India, and Indian investment into the UK supports 95,000 jobs across the country.
Meanwhile, as part of the UK Government’s Integrated Review, the the country reiterated its commitment to build the “broadest presence” in the Indo-Pacific of any European country. Simultaneously to the mobility partnership with India, the country is also strengthening the ability to remove immigration offenders. A landmark memorandum of understanding was signed between the UK and India in May 2021 aimed at increasing mobility between the two countries, and sharing best practice on organised immigration crime.
I2U2 GROUP TO DEEPEN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AMONG PARTNERS
The I2U2 grouping of India, Israel, the UAE and the US has expressed commitment to deepen their economic partnership, and has taken stock of current projects in agriculture and clean energy and reviewed potential projects to help the group’s objectives.
The I2U2 Grouping was conceptualised during the meeting of the foreign ministers of the four countries in October 2021. The first Leaders’ Summit of I2U2, which was conducted virtually in July 2022, featured participation from Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Israel Mr. Yair Lapid, President of the UAE Mr. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the US President Mr. Joe
Biden. In addition to a 300 MW hybrid energy project in India, the summit laid the groundwork for India’s central role in food exports to South Asia and the Middle East. The UAE announced to invest $2 billion to develop a series of integrated food parks across India.
The group reaffirmed its support for the Abraham Accords and other peace and normalisation arrangements with Israel. It also welcomed the economic opportunities that flow from these historic developments, in particular, sustainable investment among the I2U2 partners. The goal is to promote collaborative investments in six sectors of water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security.
AMR CONFERENCE COMES OUT WITH MUSCAT MANIFESTO
The Third Global Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance concluded in Oman, with the issue of The Muscat Manifesto. It aims to accelerate One Health actions on antimicrobial resistance to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Thirty ministers and representatives of more than 40 countries in the fields of human, animal and environmental health adopted the Muscat Manifesto to commit to working towards achieving three goals.
The first goal is to reduce the amount of antimicrobials used in the agri-food system
JAPANESE
SPACE AGENCY
USES STEAM TO PROPEL ITS EQUULEUS SPACECRAFT
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) has successfully used water to propel a spacecraft. According to the space agency, it represents “the world’s first successful orbit control beyond low-Earth orbit using a water propellant propulsion system.”
The agency said that its water-powered CubeSat EQUilibriUm Lunar-Earth point 6U spacecraft performed the required manoeuvers to be in its planned orbit towards the
second Earth-Moon Lagrange point (EML2) – a spot situated beyond the Moon. To get there, it used AQUARIUS (AQUA ResIstojet propUlsion System) engine, which uses water as fuel. The craft uses waste heat from communications kit to heat the water into steam that is squirted out to produce thrust. Lagrangian points are where a celestial object’s gravity is balanced out by a spacecraft’s centrifugal force, allowing a stable orbit.
by at least 30-50 per cent by 2030. The second goal is that antimicrobials of medical importance for human medicine will not be used permanently in animals for non-veterinary medical purposes or in crop production and agri-food systems for non-phytosanitary purposes. The third goal is to ensure that antibiotics included in the Access group make up at least 60 per cent of total antibiotic consumption in humans by 2030.
The Muscat Manifesto declaration called on the fourway alliance formed by the United Nations, made up of the World Health Organization, Food
and Agriculture Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the United Nations Environment Programme, and their joint secretariats concerned with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), to provide the necessary sectoral technical support and guidance in setting standards and policies to implement these goals and procedures. This
includes the administrative boards of these organisations setting the relevant provisions and the concerned authorities working in related human and animal health and fields.
The conference had sessions focused on controlling the AMR, challenges and opportunities, and reducing their impact on health, economic growth and global development.
AT THE CONFLUENCE CULTURE, AND
The foundation of contemporary society is built on the intersection of cultures that have met over the centuries. The journeys of people, for reasons ranging from migrations to movements for religion and trade, over time, have introduced us to new lands and their beliefs, languages, traditions, and cuisines. The great heritage these crossroads have led us to must not only be preserved for future generations, but also studied further to
CONFLUENCE OF HISTORY, EXPERIENCES
help us navigate modern challenges like climate change. With their wide knowledge, coupled with vast and diverse experiences, the Ambassadors of Poland, Hungary, Georgia, Panama, Morocco, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia; and Consul General of Montenegro introduce the readers of AsiaOne Magazine to destinations at the crossroads of continents, civilizations, cultures, and history
THE LAND OF ADVENTURE IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
From the towering Tatra Mountains in the south to the wild Baltic Sea in the north, Poland is filled with vibrant locations known for their splendid heritage, mouthwatering cuisine and stunning architecture. Poland is home to numerous attractions and landmarks that are sure to delight visitors from all over the world. A getaway to Poland will keep everyone happy — from beach-goers and hiking fans to city break lovers
By His Excellency Mr. Waldemar Dubaniowski, Ambassador of Poland to Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos
Cynosure
The country’s secret lies in the evident diversity between its regions and cities, each of which is waiting to tell a unique story. It’s time to be captivated by Poland’s pristine nature, fascinating history and diverse traditions.
WARSAW: BEAUTIFUL IN ITS DIVERSITY
Modern-day Warsaw is a vibrant metropolis where history meets the latest technology, contemporary art and architecture. Warsaw is not only one of Poland’s major business centres, but also has a rich history, lively culture and a number of renowned universities, attracting an increasing number of tourists, students, artists and business people.
Poland’s capital is full of opportunities and attractions, enabling everyone to get to know Warsaw in their own way. The city’s diversity is a perfect metaphor for the journey Poland has gone through over many centuries. Warsaw is a city of contrasts — between glittering skyscrapers and the historic Old Town, traditional Polish dishes and international cuisine and its many green zones with its urban landscape.
KRAKOW: A CITY OF HIDDEN GEMS
The historic capital, Krakow, was once home to Polish kings. Now, it is one of Central Europe’s most popular spots for travellers and an important centre of art, commerce, and culture. Krakow is Poland’s second-largest city, blending an international atmosphere with a cosy vibe, in one charming, well-balanced destination. Thanks to its long history and rich cultural heritage, there are countless hidden gems throughout the city.
Monuments, extraordinary attractions, a mix of architectural styles, green spaces and exceptional cuisine — Krakow has it all! It’s full of precious historical buildings, art and
urban legends that offer an amazing variety of experiences and fun things to do. One of the most unforgettable of Krakow’s many attractions is Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter. This charming district is quite distinct from the rest of the city, giving it a unique and fascinating charm all of its own. A one-day trip to Wieliczka salt mine, a historic monument entered on the UNESCO list, allows one to discover an incredible realm of underground corridors and chambers cut out in rock salt.
“THE MAZURY REGION IS DUBBED THE “LAND OF A THOUSAND LAKES” DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF NUMEROUS LAKES”
BALTIC SEA
Poland’s Baltic coast area is lined with stunning sandy beaches. One thing that makes this area unique is the presence of natural amber along the shore. Amber, which comes from the resin of the area’s pine trees that has solidified over thousands of years, is praised as much for its beauty as for its metaphysical properties. Visitors can spend their time on the Amber Coast relaxing by the sea, listening to waves and watching seagulls. Those who prefer a more active trip will not be disappointed by the offerings here. Horseback riding is a popular and exciting way to enjoy the area’s beauty. The water here is also ideal for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and swimming. City break lovers can visit the so-called Tricity, which consists of
three coastal cities — Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia — that together create a single metropolitan area. With over 1,000 years of tradition and history, Gdansk contrasts with the smaller, quieter Sopot and the young port city of Gdynia, creating a perfect seaside resort. Attracting tourists from all over the world, Tricity is bustling with life throughout the whole year.
TATRAS
The Tatras are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains, with the highest point scraping the sky at 2499 metres. The range is rugged and truly alpine in character with a mass of picturesque valleys, man-made clearings, pastures, caves, lakes, peaks and mountain passes. The choice of hiking trails is remarkable here: from
easier short walks along the valleys and foothills, to highly challenging trails in the high mountains. The Tatra National Park is a beautiful and natural home to the amazingly abundant local flora and fauna. The vibrant culture, rich traditions, and original cuisine of the highlanders living at the foothills of the Tatra inspire to discover and learn more about this most fascinating region.
MAZURY
The Mazury region, located near the Lithuanian border, has been dubbed the “Land of A Thousand Lakes” thanks to the presence of thousands of lakes all interconnected via canals and other small waterways. These lakes are popular with kayakers and boaters vacationing in Poland. Many of the
lakes have harbours dotted with pubs, small shops, and eateries. Others are more secluded, practically hidden inside thick trees and vegetation, and are sure to thrill nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Poland is a top destination for travellers looking to enjoy the great outdoors while on vacation in Europe. The country’s stunning lakes, beautiful seaside, mountain ranges and dramatic forests provide the backdrop for a funfilled stay.
Whether in the mountains or by the sea, you can be sure to experience traditional Polish hospitality, which is expressed in our national proverb “Guest at home, God at home.” The magic of Polish flavours and tastes awaits to be discovered – let yourself be enchanted.
Hungary
A UNIQUE SPICE ON EUROPE’S DINING TABLE
Budapest makes visitors return time after time, with each new visit bringing even deeper and more complex colours and flavours to them. The Hungarian capital has something new for every 365 days of the year. Its iconic attractions, the city's rich history, its bustling and cosmopolitan atmosphere, and the diversity of Pest and Buda, all tempt us to discover it
By His Excellency Mr. Sándor Sipos, Ambassador of Hungary to Thailand
Cynosure
Budapest is really exciting and ever moving no matter what time of year you visit. Each of its corners hides a special place that’s why it is almost impossible to enlist everything that is worth doing, seeing, and tasting. Explore the capital city and visit the country’s iconic attractions – many of which are World Heritage Sites – to see for yourself that Budapest is a truly picturesque city.
TREASURES OF BUDAPEST
Among the iconic sights, the Castle District is on the top of the list, not least because of its impressive architecture, rich historical past, and the panoramic views that unfold before you. One of the most outstanding sights in this district is the Fisherman’s Bastion, which offers you stunning panorama and the chance to take fabulous photos of the city. To make the moment unforgettable, visit the Matthias Church, which is full of surprises, mysteries and treasure. The church has a breathtaking interior with colours inspired by orientalism and
romantic historicism. Its mystically exotic atmosphere paired with neogothic features differentiates it from any other church. To finish your visit in this part of the city, below the Buda Castle, you can find Budapest’s unique jewellery box, the Várkert Bazár, a distinctive work of architecture offering an experience of history, culture, and nature all at the same time.
The Parliament on the Pest side bank of the Danube gives you an excellent start to explore the other part of the city, along with Kossuth Square, which should be on every traveller’s bucket list. The third largest Parliament in the world is richly decorated inside and outside and was inspired by the Houses of Parliament in London, thus, it was designed in neo-gothic style, although it also bears Renaissance and Baroque stylistic flourishes. Talking about religious sights, the largest church in the city, the St Stephen Basilica, in the heart of the city centre has a jaw-dropping view of the narrow streets of the city centre.
World-famous footballer Ferenc Puskás rests here, and it has provided backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters. Moreover, the Dohány Street Synagogue of Budapest is not only the largest Hebrew temple of Europe, but its surroundings are like a small island with a fabulous atmosphere, full of exhibitions, synagogues, cemeteries, and memorials.
Continuing our trip in the city centre, on the enchanting boulevard, on Andrássy Avenue, we can encounter the gigantic building of the Hungarian State Opera. British online magazine The Telegraph selected it as one of the world’s most beautiful concert venues. There, you can get on the Metro Line M1, which is the oldest underground railway in the continental Europe, and experience the unparalleled beauty of the metro stations.
Speaking of the squares and parks in the capital city of Hungary, the Heroes’ Square comes to everybody’s mind at first. It is famous not only for its group of sculptures depicting archangels and the greats of Hungarian history:
the square is also flanked by the Art Gallery on one side and the Museum of Fine Arts on the other, which often host exciting exhibitions. Behind the Square, you can find a fairytale building, hidden among the trees, the so-called Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park, which is today home to the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture. The castle was built on an island and can be accessed via one of four bridges.
A MUSEUM FOR EYES AND EARS
In the middle of the City Park, The House of Music Hungary, a unique and complex institution of musical initiation and the venue for the country’s first comprehensive exhibition presenting the history of music, opened in January 2022. Although Hungary is famed for its musical heritage, no multi-faceted exhibition presenting the history of Hungarian music in the context of European music had been hosted in any Hungarian institution exhibition before this one.
The iconic building, designed by Japanese star architect Sou Fujimoto, was selected from among
170 international projects, and since the announcement of the design as the winner of the architectural competition, it has attracted massive attention in international professional circles. This is confirmed, for example, by the fact that in early 2021 it was listed by CNN and the World Architecture Community as one of the ten most anticipated new buildings of the year.
EAT AND EXPLORE LIKE A LOCAL
Budapest does not let you leave without trying out the specialities of the country. You cannot skip Vásárcsarnok, Budapest’s Great Market Hall. The historic building hosts an extensive array of traditional Hungarian flavours and delights, ranging from fresh local produce, cuts of meat, down to artisanal crafts and memorabilia.
Have you ever thought of trying out the oil pressed from various seeds in western Hungary? Looking for homemade honey? The market hall is a must on any checklist, and it is a bustling location that will have you immersed in exploration for hours.
You are probably hungry by now and this day should be no exception for discovering yet another incredibly flavourful traditional Hungarian dish. The options are abundant whether you prefer high-end service or the local version of the corner diner where locals go in their lunchtime to eat. After the meal, it is always a good idea to have a coffee. Just a few minutes from the Vásárcsarnok is New York Café where you can enjoy sophisticated brews and gastronomy in opulent, aristocratic surroundings.
After a long walk in the freezing cold, it never hurts to relax. Budapest is famous all over the world for its thermal spas because water comes naturally warm to the surface, thus offering good-quality thermal water to the guests.
The Széchenyi Spa is Budapest's largest thermal bath and is worth a visit, as is the Rudas Spa at the foot of Gellért Hill, with its rooftop hot pool offering a beautiful view of the city. At the foot of Gellért Hill is the Gellért Bath, which is also very popular and one of the oldest baths in Budapest with more than 1,500 thermal springs.
Cynosure
THE GLITTERING GEM OF EUROPE
Georgia is a country located at the intersection of Europe and Asia (Caucasus region). It is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, a crossroads between the different ancient civilizations. I would say that Georgia is a country where the past meets the future. With its rich and very unique cultural heritage and its strategic location, Georgia is strongly committed to developing its infrastructure and, with comprehensive reforms, modernizing the country
By His Excellency Mr. Archil Dzuliashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to India
Cynosure
Iam not hesitating to state that Georgia is a country of exceptional beauty, diverse in nature. Due to Georgia’s specific geographic location, on a relatively small territory (69,700 square km.), there are extremely diverse ecosystems from Alpine meadows to semi-deserts, wetlands, costal landscape, numerous lakes and rivers, caves, magnificent mountainchains and peaks covered with eternal snow. Our unique hospitality is the very first thing that Georgia offers to its first-time visitors, thus leaving unforgettable memories. One of the most attractive countries in the world, Georgia offers a very wide range of opportunities, a unique climate zone, a picturesque nature, genuine local food and amazing wine. So there is a lot to explore in Georgia and tourists are more than welcome to visit our country at any time of the year.
SUMMER IN GEORGIA
Summer in Georgia traditionally remains the most exciting period, when the country sees a maximum number of its tourists and international visitors. In summer, Georgia holds a wide variety of festivals. For the wine lovers, special attention should be given to theannual wine festival across the country between Octobers 9-15, when visitors can taste varieties of Georgian wine.
The festival of Wine Days in Georgia allows the public to introduce themselves to the 8000-year-old continuous tradition of winemaking in Georgia. Harvest in Georgia is usually held in mid-autumn across the different regions. Winemaking is essential to the culture of the country and wine is the national pride of our country. Every Georgian has had a taste of their grandfather’s wine and almost everyone grows their own vines and many produce their own wines at home.
In spite of many historical challenges
to our country, we continue to have the distinction of the world’s longest unbroken tradition of wine making. Our country is considered to be the cradle of wine, involving hundreds of indigenous grape varieties found in the
A UNIQUE GASTRONOMIC DESTINATION
As the birthplace of wine and home of endless cheese and bread comfort food combinations, it's a unique gastronomic destination. Georgia is a small country but incredibly diverse in food and wine, which makes for an unforgettable experience for the gourmets. Since Georgia sits on the ancient Spice Route between Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Georgian cuisine is a symphony of tastes and textures. It draws inspiration from the various cultures that interacted with Georgia during the centuries. Khachapuri is the signature dish of the Georgian cuisine, leavened flatbread, flaky on the outside and stuffed with tangy, gooey melted cheese. Khinkali – another most recognizable Georgian dish, meat dumplings is a must too. There are many cold appetizers and salads with dips and breads, followed by the main course of meat and vegetables. For the dessert, Churchkhela is a must-try, wherein walnuts and other nuts are dipped into different fruit syrups, like grape and pomegranate which are hung and left to dry.
ABODE OF MESMERISING MUSIC
We are also very proud of the unique Georgian polyphonic music tradition which can be heard in churches and monasteries across the country. Our ballet, along with traditional Georgian dances, where men leap high into the air with swords and daggers, and women in beautiful costumes perform elegant dances, is also famous. Apart from these, there are various Georgian festivals, including musical and religious ones, which are a feast for the eyes and senses.
POPULAR DESTINATIONS
Mtkvari River. Tbilisi is distinguished by cobblestone paths and charming historical structures that make you feel as if you have gone back in time by several centuries. With its bustling bars and speakeasies, contemporary restaurants, and collection of original hotels, it often draws aspirational comparisons to other world hubs. With a flourishing techno and nightclub scene, and guest DJs from all over the world, Tbilisi after dark has become a hub for artists, fashion designers, writers and bohemians – locals, expats and tourists alike. Visiting Tbilisi’s mineral sulphur baths is one of the most pleasant and memorable experiences you can have in Georgia’s capital city. It is said that the name “Tbilisi” comes from the word for “warm place,” and is derived from widely taught myth that the city’s founding involved these natural hot springs.
About a four-hour train ride from Tbilisi, the Black Sea city of Batumi is easily one of Georgia’s favorite tourist destinations. During the summer months, this sleepy Art Nouveau port transforms into a vibrant party town. Batumi Boulevard, a 7km-long, treelined pedestrian stretch right behind the beach, has landscaped gardens, sculptures, fountains and cafes, and is ideal for a leisurely stroll.
A RANGE OF EXCITING ACTIVITIES
Where else in the world can one ski on the mountain slopes and lie by the sea on the same day? I would say, not many countries around the globe can offer such unique experience. Georgia offers a plethora of activities ranging from the thrills at the sea to the icy mountains, thus ensuring that everyone gets a memory of a lifetime. The dramatic landscape and unique seasonal combination of winter resorts and Black Sea beaches call for freerides, hiking to ski touring, all of which the country presents.
The Ancient Georgian traditional Qvevri wine-making method has been on the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2015.
We have many ancient and beautiful towns around the country and it is difficult to differentiate between them, as all of them have their own attractive history and charm. In this article, I would highlight only two of them: Tbilisi and Batumi. Most trips to Georgia start in its capital, Tbilisi. The city was founded in the 5th century in a strategic position on the
Besides summer months, the winter season destinations in Georgia are very popular among lovers of skiing, who can choose among four beautiful ski resorts – Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia and Goderdzi. The highest mountain peak in Georgia is Shkhara which is located approximately at 5,200 metres region.
Cynosure
above the sea level. The country is a paradise for hiking and camping lovers. You can also explore breathtaking lakes, canyons, waterfalls. It’s almost impossible to visit Georgia and escape the deep reverence for its ancient monasteries and cathedrals. Although the churches may seem similar, each is uniquely beautiful and historically significant in its own right. The palaces, cathedrals and gardens in Tsinandali (Eastern Georgia), Mtskheta (ancient capital of Georgia and UNESCO World Heritage Site), Gelati (Western Georgia, UNESCO World Heritage Site), Stepantsminda and many more like Upper Svaneti (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Tusheti regions in the north of Georgia are worth visiting for their stunning architecture and landscapes. Tusheti road is considered one of the world’s most dangerous roads, featuring in BBC’s World’s Most Dangerous Roads series. Tusheti road offers breathtaking, picturesque views of hills and mountains for thrill-seeking tourists.
NATURE'S BOUNTY IN ABUNDANCE
Georgia is a proper country for adventure lovers, filled with ancient castles, defense towers, scenic waterfalls, 14 Strict nature Reserves, 13 National parks and many more. Georgia is characterized by almost all climate zones that are on the surface of the earth, starting from the humid subtropical to eternal snow and glaciers. Moreover, Georgia is home to more than 25,000 rivers and lakes.
In Georgia there are several spectacular birdwatching locations, with very different characteristics. Each of them is interesting in terms of species composition. On a relatively small territory there is a multitude of diverse ecosystems. This is very favorable for bird watching, because in a short period of time and in areas very close to each other, it is possible to see birds from totally different habitats.
RICH HISTORY
Georgia also boasts one of the oldest written languages in the world. Until recently, among the world’s 14 writing systems, Georgia was ranked
as the fifth oldest script. However, an archaeological discovery of ancient writings at Garkliani Hill has revealed that, there was an ancient writing system that dates back about 3,000 years, making it the third oldest writing system in the world. The country’s artefacts are well preserved in museums, which have a wealth of church treasures, particularly preChristian gold, art and archaeology.
ADVANCED INFRASTRUCTURE
Georgia, being a modern country, offers a wide range of transport means and opportunities for moving around. Well-developed road infrastructure and highways allow tourists to travel between the different cities and regions of the country easily, safely and comfortably. Railway and air connection is another suitable option. Visitors can also explore driving around on bicycles and motorbikes, as well as riding horses, especially in the mountainous areas of Georgia. It all depends on the priorities and aspirations of the visitors. Georgia is the 7th Easiest Country to do Business according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report, and 3rd Least Tax Burden Country according to the World Bank Group. Georgia openly welcomes and supports local businesses and foreign investments alike, be it Free Industrial Zones to
Financial and Tax incentives.
In order to briefly summarize, we are absolutely proud to note that there is definitely an increase in travel to Georgia. The country is emerging as a popular destination for tourists who are keen to explore its natural beauty, rich history, wonderful people and experiences that are on offer.
Despite geo-political and economic challenges, international tourism is gradually recovering as many countries are already easing or lifting Covid-19 related travel restrictions. We, at the Embassy of Georgia in New Delhi, are doing our utmost to properly promote Georgia in India and in the wider region of South Asia. We are doing our utmost for implementation of the connectivity projects between our regions. In this regard, air connectivity is absolutely the key. Starting operating regular direct flights between Georgia and India would be a very important step for fostering tourism, cultural relations, and business links and people-to-people contacts between our nations. For this aim, Indian air carriers are showing their interest in starting direct flights between our capitals and I hope soon first Indian tourists, students and business people will be able to travel to Georgia on board of a direct flight.
So welcome to Georgia anytime of the year!
12th-14th February, 2023
Cynosure
Taking this into consideration, our country has a unique role to play in the fight against climate change. Panama has put the climate at the centre of its policies and discussions on the global stage. As part of the fulfilment of sustainable development commitments, our country has adopted progressive structural changes for the transformation of the economic model towards one that is innovative, lowcarbon and resilient to climate change.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Panama has a Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism 2020-2025,
highlighted by UNESCO for its innovative vision on how to address sustainable tourism for the future. It is worth mentioning that the strategic heart of the plan is the strategy of Tourism, Conservation and Research, where local communities have been integrated into the centre of the model, valuing the country's conservation and sustainability efforts and its varied natural, cultural and historical offerings to the world. The routes focus on three core heritage trails: Cultural Heritage (multifaceted culture), Green Heritage (extraordinary biodiversity) and Blue Heritage (ocean wonders).
PANAMA IS A ONE OF THE THREELEADING CARBON NEGATIVE COUNTRIES
Panama forest land (approximately 65%) captures more carbon gas than the total gas emissions, thus making Panama a carbon negative country (Source: BUR2).
More than 40% of the land and marine surface of our national territory have been declared as protected zones, which are important carbon sinks that allow Panama to stabilise its emissions and become a carbon negative country. Our country has also launched a Carbon Negative Alliance with
Panama A RADIANT DESTINATION THAT EMBRACES THE GREEN AND BLUE TOURISM
Panama is blessed with a unique geographic location that connects the two largest oceans, acting as a junction point for the entire American continent, making it an important pathway for biodiversity of flora and fauna from north to south. The Isthmus of Panama has a vast impact on the global climate, affecting ocean currents and global biodiversity
By Her Excellency Mrs. Yasiel Burillo, Ambassador of Panama to India
Cynosure
Bhutan and Suriname, the only other two carbon-negative countries in the world.
ENACTING LEGAL RIGHTS TO NATURE
Panama approved an innovative policy that grants legal rights to nature, protecting its right to exist, persist, regenerate and restore itself. This policy instructs the government to develop processes and policies that safeguard ecosystems.
RESTORING FOREST LAND
Panama has committed to restoring 50,000 hectares of forest land nationwide, by 2050. Our nation's public and private sectors have embarked on various forest restoration and reforestation efforts to meet that goal.
OCEAN ACTION PLAN
Panama is one of the few countries in the region that has a National Ocean Policy, a framework that articulates and guides regulations related to the oceans with a comprehensive and sustainable approach.
A LEADER IN MARINE PROTECTED AREA EXTENSION
In June 2021, we became the first country in the world to reach the protection of 30% of our territorial waters (within the framework of the 30X30 Initiative of the UN), achieving the status of Blue Leader by creating a reserve of more than 67,000 square kilometres, almost the size of the country.
Panama doubled down on this approach at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, unveiling a commitment to raise the level of protection to 40% of our total waters by 2024.
Through this commitment, Panama seeks to protect marine life and sustainability of marine resources.
MEMBER OF THE EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC MARINE CORRIDOR
Last year, Panama partnered with Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador, members of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (ETPMC), to expand our collective marine protection, creating the largest protected marine area in the world. By combining our territorial waters and cooperating to protect migratory routes, our countries are ensuring the passage and survival of wonderful but threatened species, such as leatherback turtles, striped marlin, and whale sharks. Also, this year, Panama assumed the presidency of the ETPMC.
ADDRESSING THE REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS AT THE SOURCE
In 2021, Panama produced 82% of its electricity from renewable resources.
• Inauguration of Panama-Costa Rica Electricity Route: This route is another step towards the decarbonisation of the region. People with electric vehicles will have chargers along the 900 km from San José to Panama City.
• New Solar Power Plants – Another advance in the energy transition and contribution to sustainable development: Both projects, together, represent a capacity of 39.36 MW and will generate 59.65 GWh per year, avoiding the emission of more than 35,400 tons of CO2 per year (Source: Enel, Green Power 2021). With a projected investment of $30 million, the commissioning of these two solar plants will contribute to economic reactivation and the supply of clean energy at a reasonable price to customers in the country's commercial and industrial sector.
• Electric buses, zero emissions: Panama would be the first country in Central America to operate a
green route, free of environmental contamination, with which the country would also reinforce its international commitment to reduce global warming caused by climate change.
• Tools for organizations: Our government is also providing tools to public and private organizations that seek to make the change to renewable energies through the National Program, Reduce Your Footprint, managing and monitoring the carbon footprint.
KEY ROLE OF PANAMA CANAL
The Panama Canal plays an important
role in our sustainability story. It is key to facilitating the transition to cleaner practices, having implemented incentives in toll procedures to promote greener transit. Likewise, few know that the Panama Canal contributes with the following:
• Carbon dioxide reduction: As the Panama Canal's connectivity expands, so does its positive environmental impact. In 2020, the Panama Canal contributed to a reduction of 13 million tons of carbon dioxide, allowing ships to save time and fuel. Since its inauguration in 1914, the Canal has contributed to the reduction
of more than 850 million tons of carbon dioxide.
• Water-Saving Basins: The Panama Canal has succeeded in managing the water level, to safeguard an operational level and provide reliability to its customers. The expanded Panama Canal has 18 water-saving basins that reuse 60% of the water used per lock.
• Shorter Distance – Fewer Emissions: The Panama Canal has contributed to the reduction of fuel consumption (therefore emissions) as it shortens travel distances. This has a positive impact on the reduction of global greenhouse
gases compared to other routes.
• Seasonal Measures to protect Migrating Marine Life: From August 1 to November 30, the Panama Canal has implemented speed and traffic recommendations established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in order to protect whales, dolphins and other large aquatic animals as they begin their seasonal migration.
THE PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY
Panama has incorporated into national legislation all regulations and technical and operational measures from the IMO, which have been established to reduce emissions from the maritime sector and contribute to the objectives of adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change globally. In particular, these include measures to address greenhouse gas emissions from ships engaged in international trade, supporting a transition of the maritime sector towards a more sustainable and ecological future. Panama has also implemented Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. This convention obligates ships to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
In March 2023, Panama will host the 8th Our Ocean Conference. The premier global marine conservation event seeks to mobilise the international community where governments, nongovernmental organisations and civil society commit to measurable actions for the conservation of the oceans and fight climate change. This represents an opportunity for other countries to join Panama in placing ocean conservation at the forefront of their diplomatic efforts.
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS…
Our experience shows that international collaboration can amplify the impact of each nation's conservation efforts. Panama will continue to serve as a model to combat climate change and increase efforts towards environment conservation.
ALand of Diversity, Morocco enjoys a wide range of architecture with traditional tile work available in such long-standing historical cities as Fez, Meknes, Salé, Rabat and others. Despite its modern transformation, Morocco has never lost sight of its deep-rooted traditions. The magical Medina (old city) is a testimony of the traditional Moroccan heritage embedded in people’s daily life. Cities such as Rabat, Fez, Tetouan, Essaouira and Marrakech, have been registered as World Heritage by UNESCO.
TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
Tourists travelling to Morocco can enjoy a wide range of historical monuments such as the outstanding Mausoleum of Mohammed V built opposite to the remarkable Hassan Tower that dates back to many centuries. Standing in Casablanca, Hassan II Mosque is the largest worshiping facility in Africa,
THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT
Located in the North West of Africa, the Kingdom of Morocco covers an area of 710,850 square kilometers along with over 3,500 km coastline overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Mediterranean in the north. Landscape diversity, local colour, and artistic heritage make the country a mosaic of distinctive cultural regional features
By His Excellency Mr. Abderrahim Rahhaly, Ambassador of His Majesty the King of Morocco to the Kingdom of Thailand
half of which is built on sea water over the Atlantic Ocean.
Throughout monuments such as Volubilis (Roman city), Lixus and Chellah, the visitor will experience moments of ancient history of longlived civilisations with different cultural influences. UNESCO has listed Volubilis and Chellah archeological sites as World Heritage. Morocco also has a tremendous geographic variety of mountains, beaches, desert and sand dunes. Thanks to its situation in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, Morocco enjoys mild weather in the West and a fairly warm climate southward. The Atlas chain of mountains offers rainy and snowing seasons.
Deep in the South, the city of Dakhla offers an overwhelming combination of golden sand dunes and a magnificent beach that surfers from all over the world visit to practice kite surfing. Nowadays, the city is hosting
kite-surfing contests and World Cup Championships.
Merzouga city is known worldwide for its Sahara landscape where tourists can experience a magically unique sunrise in the desert.
A LAND OF CULTURE AND ART
The Moroccan identity encompasses a broad spectrum of blended cultural backgrounds of Arab, Berber and
Cynosure
Saharan-Hassanic components, nourished and enriched by African, Andalusian, Hebraic and Mediterranean hallmarks.
The Kingdom is home to vivid culture and traditions. Many Moroccan cultural celebrations take place in different regions in Morocco, such as Tan-Tan festival, which is an annual gathering of people. During the festival, people from many areas come together to socialise and enjoy local music (Guedra), local dancing choreography (Ragues) and Camel race. UNESCO listed the Tan-Tan Festival as an Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005, and it was placed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
The amazing Cherry Festival is celebrated each year in Sefrou, a town close to the city of Fez, to appreciate the natural glamour of Sefrou, where the Moroccan “Cherry Queen/beauty pageant” is selected among many young ladies of the region. Sefrou is known for its cherry fruit grown by local farmers.
The Marrakech International Film Festival is one of the outstanding cinematographic and cultural events that take place in the city of Marrakech. The film festival welcomes and pays tribute to national and international movie stars and actors who made great artistic performances during their career. The festival jury also gives a special recognition to young movie directors for their short films.
Traditional craftsmanship and design are one of the deep-rooted cultural heritages of the Kingdom of Morocco. Multiple materials are finely hand woven using traditional tools and techniques to make decorative commodities such as table, furniture, jewellery and clothing. Rabat, Fez and Tetouan are some of the cities that offer a wide range of Moroccan handicrafts, including rugs and carpets for different purposes.
Morocco is known for its authentic farming products such as argan oil, saffron, the prickly pear, rosewater and orange blossom water. UNESCO in 2014 listed the Moroccan knowhow relevant to the Argan tree as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
As to gastronomy, Moroccan cuisine is diverse with its wide range of flavours and ingredients cumulated over centuries as an outcome of longstanding culinary inputs of many civilisations that lived in Morocco. Many of these dishes are known worldwide. In 2020, the UNESCO listed “Moroccan Couscous” dish on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in recognition of the know-how and the peculiar recipe.
A PROMISING TOURISM DESTINATION
Morocco is one of the leading destinations for international tourists travelling to Africa. It ranks among the top three most visited countries in the continent thanks to its natural assets, and increasingly modern air connectivity, road and sea transport network.
Being a crossroad between Africa and Europe, Morocco offers tourism opportunities to travellers coming from Europe using less than three hours’ flights. The “Open Sky” agreement signed in 2005 between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union helped further enhance the tourist area and national economy.
In its policy aimed at facilitating access to the Kingdom of Morocco, online electronic visa (e-Visa) has been granted since July 2022 to tourists and businessmen wishing to visit the country, including Thai citizens who can apply online using the application platform (www.accès-maroc.ma).
In its efforts to promote tourism, the Government has adopted a policy through four main programmes: Seaside Tourism - Azur 2020, Cultural Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, and
“UNESCO IN 2014 LISTED THE MOROCCAN KNOW-HOW RELEVANT TO ARGAN TREE AS INTANGIBLE
HERITAGE”
National Tourism. Azur 2020 aims at enhancing beaches and building additional entertainment environmentfriendly facilities.
Cultural Tourism focuses on highlighting the Kingdom’s tangible and intangible heritage.
Through Sustainable Tourism, the Government is investing in tourist infrastructure that ensures developing the national economy but accommodating environment protection. To this purpose, Morocco aims at developing the first “carbon free” tourist destination in Africa. As to National Tourism, Moroccan citizens are offered encouraging hotel rates and incentives to make them enjoy stays in many regions during national holidays and events.
Montenegro
WHERE MOUNTAINS MEET THE SEA
Blessed with nature, culture and colour, Montenegro is a wholesome travel destination. Its two farthest points may be separated by mere 190 kilometers, but hold unlimited, outstanding experiences for a lifetime. There are magnificent mountains, beautiful beaches, cleanest rivers, larger-than-life locals, and enthralling activities. Located in the most scenic part of the Balkan Peninsula, this Pearl of the Mediterranean has been one of the fastest growing tourist destinations for years
By Dr. Janis Darbari, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Montenegro in India
Cynosure
Montenegro shares its adventurous borders with Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania. It blossoms with the unforgettable experience for tourists throughout the ages. Where the Dinaric Alps end and the snow melts and flows into the pristine Adriatic Sea, it creates an unforgettable experience for the great swimmers. The picture-perfect destination has attracted the newage travellers who find it thrilling to hike, cycle, scuba dive, canoe-raft, paraglide, and enjoy the home-made honey, priganice (fried pastry balls), popara (old bread mixed with cream and cheese, ham, buns, butter, cheese and many mouth-watering and tastelingering exotic fruits, coupled with different types of wine and fish and meats, and vegetables.
As Montenegro became independent in 2006, it became a fast-growing travel and tourist destination, and today, tourism accounts for about 25% of its GDP.
As the Honorary Consul General of Montenegro in India since 1st January 2008 Indians have joined hands in promoting Montenegro. They have invested in hotels and property, and have sent skilled labour as Chefs to work in the rich and famous luxury hotels like One&Only and Regent Porto Montenegro in the country.
The Lonely Planet Guide has featured Montenegro as one of the stunning destinations attracting Indian film stars to experience the pink sands of Aman Hotel in Sveti Stefan. The Orascom Development Holding has built the famous Chedi hotel in Lustica Bay that has a18-hole golf course. Famous billionaires of India have visited Montenegro during the COVID-19 outbreak and praised the country for its clean air and pristine beauty. The Port of Montenegro holds a special attraction for yachts with its competitive prices for parking. The
historical churches of Montenegro have attracted religious tourism worldwide. The healing power of Ostrog churches and the healings waters of Ulcinj have attracted medical tourists.
A NOTED NAUTICAL DESTINATION
Montenegro is a popular destination among nautical enthusiasts. There are elite nautical marinas, such as Porto Montenegro, Port of Kotor, Port of Bar and Budva, and plush getaway resorts such as the Regent Porto Montenegro in Tivat, Nikki Beach Hotel & Beach Club in Radovići, One&Only Portonovi, and homes for sale or rent. The country, which some have even called the Monte Carlo of the Adriatic, sees busy summer months with vacationers travelling regularly from America and Europe. This elite crowd has not only inspired travellers from other regions, but also helped the growth of MICE, cruising, health and wellness tourism in the country. Montenegro is home to the biggest marina in the world in terms of size and capacity. Porto Montenegro lies in Kotor Bay, a UNESCO-protected site and the southernmost fjord in the world. The marina, with 450 berths spread over 12-180 meters, has facilities such as yacht repair and maintenance, water sports, and cultural activities like music events, fashion shows and art exhibitions. The high-end services, shopping stores and social events make it the most popular yachting marina in the Adriatic for luxury seekers. The waterfront has scores of multi-cuisine restaurants, spas, boutiques and the Naval Heritage Museum. An attraction here is Our Lady of the Rocks, one of the two charming islets in the Bay of Kotor. The islet, standing proudly opposite the Perast Old Town, is man-made and houses a Roman Catholic Church, a museum and a small souvenir shop. Annual sailing regattas organised at the marina attract yachts from
“Montenegro is home to the biggest marina in the world in terms of size and capacity, Porto Montenegro”
across the world. Many yachts sailing across the waters of Boka Bay dock at secluded beaches nearby, as travellers explore the nearby medieval towns of Kotor and Perast that present a perfect mix of Baroque, Venetian and Austrian architecture and monuments, or simply enjoy leisure activities in its yachting club or unwind in the luxury villas. The impressive footfalls have brought many awards to Porto Montenegro, including the title of ACREW’s Best Superyacht Marina in 2021.
A PRIME LOCATION FOR WINE
A haven for wine connoisseurs, Montenegro produces a flavoursome selection of wines, from indigenous vranac wines to classic chardonnays and merlots. Its mild climate ensures a brilliant setting for wine production. One can begin the wine tour with Cemovsko Field, the largest vineyard on one site in Europe. An impressive sight to behold, this vineyard on the border of Lake Skadar produces a variety of wines and grape brandies. Located in Rogami, in the famous Podgorica wine region, the Mola Family Vineyards and Radevik Estate
– a small, family-run vineyard that produces original, quality wines using sustainable, organic farming techniques – are also worth a visit. A highly recommended vineyard to visit on the tour is Winery Mašanović, situated in Virpazar on Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula, and a vast national park. The beauty of the surroundings make this vineyard a
stunning place to explore, and the mild climate and natural fertility of the soil make for robust and tasty wines with unique flavours.
MUST-VISIT LANDMARKS
Monastery Ostrog, a famous Christian shrine, located in the central part of the country near Niksic, is a miracle built by nature and humans, and is
almost entirely positioned vertically in a mountain cliff. Tara Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe and second deepest canyon in the world, and the bridge on Tara River are other beautiful locations.
Throughout its territory, Montenegro has medieval churches, cathedrals, Venetian palaces and pillars, and a perfect blend of old and new. An important landmark is the Cetinje Monastery, the resting place of Saint Petar I Petrović Njegoš - the Great, who introduced first laws in Montenegro, which later established the institutional structure of Montenegro. The monastery, embodied on the basis of a church raised in the name of the Holy Mother of God in the late XV century, was a stronghold, and a cultural and religious pillar of Montenegro during the times of several hardships.
The coastal town of Budva is one of the most packed towns on the Montenegrin coast during the summer. A big light show, this town has its own Hawaii – an island opposite the city with beautiful beaches, ice cold refreshments and seafood specialties –and vibe, with loud music coming from the cafes, joyful noises of people, the aroma of barbeque, and light beams from the disco.
BOND OVER FOOD
The diversity seen in Montenegro’s territory and climate stretches to cuisine too. The coastal cuisine is rich with fish, seafood and olive oil, and flavoured with bay leaves, parsley, lemon and garlic. Fish soup, grilled squids, fish and octopus, and the seafood risotto and squid-inkcoloured black risotto are must-try delicacies of this part.
The “Old Montenegro” flavour hails from Montenegro’s central part and is dominated by smoked ham (pršut), Njeguški cheese and Skadar Lake dishes, such as eel and smoked carp.
The mountain food has been kept rich to give energy for cold winter nights. A must-try delicacy is Kačamak, a polenta-based dish mixed with potato, cheese and thick cream like kajmak that goes well with homemade sour milk.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
THE WILDLIFE PARADISE
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is situated in the Central part of Africa and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The major attraction or rather the reason for most visitors to the country is for tourism purposes. It is a blessed country as it holds the few remaining species of three types of animals, the endangered mountain gorillas, the Okapis, and the lowland gorillas
By Her Excellency Mrs. Rosette Mossi Nyamale, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo to India
Cynosure
The Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that is Nord Kivu and Sud Kivu are the major hotspots for most tourism activity in DRC. The Virunga National Park is the home to the last individuals of the mountain gorillas in the whole world and is found in Sud Kivu. The maximum numbers of tourists that visit the country come with the purpose of visiting the gorillas in the wild. The gorilla families of Virunga National Park are habituated and stay in a group of up to 40 members whom you all may be able to spot on your visit to the park.
So, the country has various attractions, which include Virunga National Park, Mount Nyiragongo, Congo River and Bonobo.
CONGO RIVER
The Congo River is the world’s deepest river and is the second largest river in the world by volume of water discharged after the River Amazon. Scientists have calculated that the entire Congo Basin accounts for 13 percent of global hydropower potential. Currently, there are about 40 hydropower plants in the Congo Basin. In terms of aquatic life, the Congo River Basin has over 700 fish species and crocodiles, among others.
VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
The park was created in 1925 by King Albert I of Belgium, as the first National Park on the continent of Africa. It was founded primarily to protect the mountain gorillas living in the forests of the Virunga Mountains controlled by the Belgian Congo. It was later expanded north to include the Rwindi Plains, Lake Edward, and the Rwenzori Mountains in the far north. Today, it has over 480 gorillas.
LAKE KIVU
Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes. The world’s tenth-largest inland
island, Idjwi, lies in Lake Kivu, as does the tiny island of Tshegera, which also lies within the boundaries of Virunga National Park.
Lake Kivu has recently been found to contain approximately 55 billion cubic metres of dissolved methane gas at a depth of 300 metres. Native fish include species of Barbus, Clarias, and Halochromic, as well as Nile Tilapia, Limnothrissa miodon and Tanganyika sardine.
LIVINGSTONE FALLS
Livingstone Falls are a succession of enormous rapids and cataracts on the lower course of the Congo River in west equatorial Africa, downstream
“The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site with A large wildlife conservation area”
from Malebo Pool in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The falls are named after the explorer, David Livingstone.
LOLA YA BONOBO
Lola ya Bonobo is the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos located just south of the suburb of Kimwenza at the Petites Chutes de la Lukaya, Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was established in 1994 by Claudine Andre and is a home to over 60 bonobos.
BOYOMA FALLS
Boyoma Falls, formerly known as Stanley Falls, consists of seven cataracts, each no more than 5 m high, extending over more than 100 km along a curve of the Lualaba River between the river port towns. A 1000m portage railway bypasses the series of rapids, connecting Kisangani and Ubundu.
THE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
The historical buildings in the city include the chapel of the American Baptist Missionary Society (1891) and a Roman Catholic cathedral (1914).
MOUNT NYAMURAGIRA
Mount Nyamuragira is Africa’s most active volcano situated in Nord Kivu about 25 km from Lake Kivu. It is an active composite volcano in the Virunga Mountains. The volcano has erupted over 40 times since 1880. It is responsible for a major part of sulphur dioxide pollution of the world. The volcano has created lava fields.
MOUNT NYIRAGONGO
Mount Nyiragongo is one of the few volcanoes in the world that have a permanent lava lake in it. In fact, it is often considered the largest lava lake in the world. Located in Nord Kivu, the volcano is very active, with frequent eruptions. Eruptions at the volcano
produce very fluid lava of a rare type.
THE OKAPI WILDLIFE RESERVE
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest wildlife conservation areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is found in the northeastern part of the country close to the borders of Uganda and South Sudan. The reserve covers an area of 13,700 square kilometres, which is only onefifth of the great Ituri forest.
MATUPI CAVE – ORIENTALE, MOUNT HOYO
This is an important archaeological monument situated in Orientale, Mount Hoyo in the Ituri rainforest. The cave contains sediments which have recorded a sequence of human occupation lasting for the last 40,000 years. Some of the oldest microlithic tools in the world used for arrows and saws have been found here. When these tools were made 12,000 years ago, there was a savannah here.
THYSVILLE CAVES (MBANZANGUNGU CAVES) – BAS-CONGO
This is a group of caves in BasCongo has record of endemic blind fish Caecobarbus geertsii Boulenger
dating from 1921. The seven caves are not explored, and may contain other endemic animals as well.
This is a more than 100 years old botanical garden with numerous unique and rare species, located 120 km south of Kinshasa, in the Bas-Congo province. The garden is primarily renowned for its collection of rare orchids.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo offers tourists many unique opportunities to see wildlife, indigenous cultures and geological wonders not found easily elsewhere in Africa. In the capital city Kinshasa, one can visit the river and the city golf course. There is Ivory Market, from where Congolese art, tribal masks, and other beautiful goods can be procured. Located outside of Kinshasa is a Bonobo monkey preserve called Lola Ya Bonobo.
In the DRC, one can trek to see both mountain and lowland gorillas in the wild, meet pygmies still practising their traditional way of life in the forests, spot bonobos and okapi, and see boiling Lava Lake in the crater of the Nyiragongo volcano.
Ethiopia
THE LAND OF ORIGINS
Ethiopia invites you to discover why it is the origin of so much history and culture, vibrantly alive in a warm landscape of dramatic beauty. As you travel across Ethiopia’s great heights and deep places, you experience the origins of humankind and harmony. You will meet the welcoming people and find expression in a value system that helps you rediscover humanity. You will also discover the creativity that finds its origin in diversity
By Her Excellency Dr. Tizita Mulugeta, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to India
Cynosure
One of the highly consumed beverages and the biggest traded commodity around the world, coffee, has its roots in the highlands of Ethiopia where it was first discovered and later spread to the rest of the world across the Arabian Peninsula.
THE MAGIC BEANS OF ETHIOPIA
According to legend, around 850 A.D. in the southern part of Ethiopia, in a place called Keffa, a young goat herder named Kaldi discovered the coffee plant after noticing the energising effect it had on his flock. Legend has it that he discovered his goats eating the coffee fruit off of the trees and dancing wildly. He was so fascinated by these “magic” beans and reported his findings to the abbot of the local monastery who made a drink with the berries and found that it kept him alert through the long hours of evening prayer.
The abbot shared his discovery with the other monks at the monastery, and knowledge of the energising berries began to spread across the Arabian Peninsula to the Islamic world. The story did not appear in writing until 1671 where it is also believed that the original name for coffee came from the name, ‘Keffa’.
Ethiopia is not only the birthplace of coffee, but also one of the world’s top producers and consumers of the plant species Coffee Arabica. Unlike almost every other coffee-growing country, coffee trees grow naturally in most parts of Ethiopia whereby some of the best single-origin coffee types are sourced. The environment provides an excellent growing condition, especially the high elevations in the southern mountainous region, to produce unique and exceptional varieties without requiring any agricultural chemicals.
Harar, Yirgachefe and Sidamo are the three trademarked coffee regions that provide unique and specialty coffee beans. This rich heritage and outstanding quality make Ethiopian
coffee amongst the best in the world.
Although Ethiopia is one of the world’s largest producers of coffee, it exports less than half of what it grows. It means, it consumes more than half of its own production despite coffee being its number one export item.
Coffee has an important place in Ethiopian society. It is one of the highly consumed and preferred beverages in almost all parts of the country. Besides being enjoyed for its flavour and aroma, coffee has a strong cultural and social symbolism which is expressed in its unique Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is an important part of Ethiopian culture. It is a significant occasion that even no important event is held without a coffee ceremony. It is the woman of the house or a younger woman in the household that performs the ceremony which involves the process from washing of the raw coffee beans, to roasting, grinding and boiling it in a special coffee pot called ‘Jebena’, up until it is finally served into the finished cups of coffee boiled in three rounds of ‘Abol’, ‘Tona’ and ‘Baraka’.
In Ethiopia, coffee is never consumed alone. Ethiopians enjoy coffee not only as a beverage, but also as a means to meet and get together. It always requires company and is a symbol of social relations.
To be invited to a coffee ceremony is a sign of respect, friendship and an excellent example of Ethiopian hospitality. ‘Nu buna tetu!’ literally translated as “come drink coffee!” is a common phrase of invitation to attend a coffee ceremony; and of course, it is impossible to decline such a warm and sincere offer even from someone one does not know.
Ethiopian magic beans are indeed an excellent example of what coffee is all about!
ETHIOPIA AT A GLANCE…
Known for its soul-enriching wonders,
“To be invited to a coffee ceremony is a sign of respect and an excellent example of Ethiopian hospitality”
Ethiopia is a cradle of history, heritage, culture, and dramatic beauty. Here are a few amazing landmarks of the country that you must visit:
• Ethiopia’s history stretches back to before recorded time to an age when our first ancestors walked the earth. Here you can see fossils at the National Museum tracing the origin of humankind including our oldest forebears – the 3.2 million years old ‘Lucy’.
• Marvel at the mystical churches of Lalibela, hand-hewn from rock to create the Jerusalem of Africa.
• Find out where the biblical Ark of the Covenant is kept in Aksum and walk in the footsteps of the Queen of Sheba.
• Visit the castles of Gondar, unique in Africa, and go back to a time of powerful kings.
• Wander in colourful Harar, the old walled city of more than 80 mosques, and the fourth holiest site in Islam.
• Trek the Simien Mountains, the Roof of Africa, and enjoy endless vistas or hike in Gheralta to experience the spirituality of centuries' old churches dotted among steep pink cliffs.
• Tour the lakes and parks along the Great Rift Valley – the only geographical feature visible from the moon.
• Take a boat trip on Lake Tana, the source of the mighty Blue Nile, to discover its beautiful islands and monasteries.
A LAND OF GREAT HEIGHTS AND DEEP PLACES
Ethiopia boasts landscapes of stunning beauty and dramatic contrasts from the soaring pinnacles of the Simien Mountains – the Roof of Africa – to the plummeting depths of the Danakil Depression, the lowest – and hottest –place on Earth. You will find cloud forests such as those in the Keffa Biosphere Reserve - the sole home of many wild coffee varieties - active volcanoes, hot springs, cool underground caverns, rugged gorges, spectacular waterfalls, rivers and shimmering lakes.
UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES AND WILDLIFE
Trek the peaks and plateaus of the
Simien Mountains and walk amongst Gelada Baboons or join expert guides to ascend the active Erta Ale volcano. Hike the Bale Mountains or enjoy a gentle horseback ride across rolling grassland. You can even follow in the footsteps of our legendary longdistance runners. Ethiopia is the fourth largest biodiversity zone on Earth and you can see plants and animals here which are found nowhere else…or you can grab your binoculars and see how many of the 850 species of birds you can spot!
A CULTURAL MOSAIC
Ethiopia has a vibrant living culture. It is today a brilliantly diverse mosaic of peoples living together in harmony. Some follow traditional ways of life. Others are dynamically embracing the new with art and craft, music and dance. Unique century-old religious festivals, colourful celebrations and charming customs will keep you engaged throughout.
A PREFERRED DESTINATION FOR INVESTMENT
Ethiopia, located in the Eastern part of Africa with a total area of 140 millionkm²is Africa’s second most populous country with a population of 120 million. The country’s strategic geo-political location having a unique proximity to various markets to Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East, attractive investment incentives and endowed with young and trainable workforce makes Ethiopia a trading gateway.
Ethiopia has maintained strong investor interest as one of the top investor destinations in Africa. The recent launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to fuel investments in addition to preferential duty treatment to markets such as India, China, Japan, Canada and Australia.
Ethiopia has a huge potential in wind, solar, geothermal and hydro power energy. It has one of the most mega projects in the sectors, the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which after completion will be the biggest hydroelectric dam in Africa and the seventh biggest in the world.
Leading the Nation
SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI
UNION MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Leaving No Stone Unturned for Nation’s Prosperity
A Member of Parliament since 2004, Shri Pralhad Joshi represents the Dharwad constituency of Karnataka. The Union Minister for Coal and Mines and Parliamentary Affairs, has brought in massive initiatives in his areas. Under his able leadership, coal production is about to hit 900 million tonnes for the first time. He has been working to make India self-sufficient in coal production by 2024
BY RICHA SANG
QA &
Q. Hon’ble Minister Sir, under your exemplary leadership, the Coal Ministry has launched the biggest-ever commercial coal auction of 141 mines in as many as 11 states with a cumulative peak rate capacity (PRC) of 305 million tonne (MT). It is a matter of pride that, in the current fiscal, India’s coal dispatch has been unprecedented, and the country aims to stop importing coal by 2024. Please share the key features of the auction process, the participation so far, and expectations. We would be grateful if you could also share with our readers how this auction and eminent schemes launched under the leadership of the Prime Minister will help the sector and make India self-reliant.
A. Yes, the coal production in the nation has definitely gone up. If you can look back to 2014, our total coal off-take was around 572 MT and the coal production was, I think, somewhere 560-562 MT. Today, the coal production was, around, coal dispatch, i.e. off-take, around 817 MT last year. This year, the total domestic coal production is likely to reach 900 MT. So, this itself is a huge record. This has been made possible under the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi in recent years, rather recent months. In commercial coal mining, so far, around 75 mines, 75 blocks, either allocated through captive, have now been auctioned. Their Peak Rate Capacity
Leading the nation
SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI
(PRC) is around 105 MT. Now, we have achieved around 305 MT. So, all these auctions are very, very investor friendly. We are also trying to give clearances. Normally, if one operates mines, if it is even a fully explored mine, if it is given to somebody for operationalization, and production, then it would have usually taken seven to eight years. We have amended the MMDR Act and changed the system, and so, all the clearances of a particular mine, if once taken, will be transferred to the next person. These are a few changes done. There are around 21 clearances, which will be automatically transferred so that early production happens.
The Government has amended the Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 1960 under MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2021 to allow lessee of captive mines to sell coal or lignite up to 50% of the total excess production after meeting the requirements of the end-use plant. This time, last year, the captive mines produced 89 MT. Otherwise, the private production or the captive production in the coal sector was negligible. But this time, for the first time, these mines have produced 90 MT. This year, the captive mines are going to produce around 125 to 130 MT. These are all the things which the Honorable Prime Minister speaks often for an Atmanirbar Bharat. This is the Atmanirbar Bharat we are achieving as far as coal is concerned. Despite a huge quantity of coal reserves in the country, we were importing. So, under the Prime Minister’s direction and guidance, we have to stop the thermal coal import at the earliest. We have planned by 2024 we will stop this import of thermal coal. This will be possible because we have coal reserves in our country.
The second point is about sustainability. Please note that the incentive of Rs.
6,000 crore that we are providing, that is basically for gasification. We have our own natural resources, like coal, for our energy requirement. Our energy security is also equally important. At the same time, sustainability, environment and safe planet for the next generation is equally important.
That’s why, on one side, we need coal, or energy security, on the other side we need sustainability. Keeping these two things in mind, we have decided to go for coal gasification. Since our coal gasification technology is a new technology, we are providing Rs. 6,000 crore of incentive for the people who undertake coal gasification. With gasification, the emission and pollution will be less. I am thankful to the honourable Prime Minister for this incentive through which we are on the track for achieving Atmanirbar Bharat.
Q. Hon’ble Minister Sir, the recent initiatives to unlock the coal sector are providing the right collective of a fast growing economy. Under your guidance, the ministry has been exploring alternative methodologies for effective use of coal. Please throw light on your ministry’s endeavours in this direction and your vision for coal mining and consumption in India.
A. Coal India, the main player and a public sector undertaking, was doing well as a coal producer, but it had its own limitations when it came to production. The requirement of the country is quite huge, and one company cannot fulfil the entire requirement. Keeping this in mind, we opened the sector for the private sector as well, and brought in many investor-friendly, industry-friendly measures, such as faster clearances and environment clearances. If there is no
“ON ONE SIDE, WE NEED COAL, OR ENERGY SECURITY, ON THE OTHER SIDE WE NEED SUSTAINABILITY. KEEPING THESE TWO THINGS IN MIND, WE HAVE DECIDED TO GO FOR COAL GASIFICATION, FOR WHICH WE ARE PROVIDING RS. 6,000 CRORE OF INCENTIVE”
addition of pollution, we have allowed the entities to raise the production by 50%. I have mentioned about gasification or liquefaction. We have made this mandatory for Coal India, and in future, for others. The people who use coal should go for plantations. The plantation will help in the absorption of emissions from mining. Mined cold water can also be used for irrigation and plantation, and drinking purposes after purification. With these measures, we are marching ahead towards sustainability, and gasification. All the clearances now are early, and there is absolutely no red-tapism. The clearances are time bound and we are handholding the entrepreneurs who want to enter businesses in the coal sector. These are adding to the production, and
the production is increasing. Dispatch is increasing. Today, India is the fastest growing economy in the world. We are also the best performing economy of the world. Many countries globally have been affected after the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine, but we are the best performing economy. When our economy is performing well, naturally our power requirement is high. To meet our power demand, we are increasing coal production. At the same time, for sustainability, gasification and other measures are being taken. I am quite confident that coal production this year will be 900 MT. Next year, with all the mines put together – the commercial and other mines, and Coal India – our domestic production will be 1 billion,
i.e., 1,000 MT. By 2025-26, it will be further higher. Our requirement will be 1000-3000 MT, i.e., nearly about 1.5 billion tonnes in the coming seven to eight years. We will fulfil this demand through domestic production.
Q. Sir, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, from his very first day in office, has been committed to the development of the Northeastern region of India. The Geological Survey of India also took up 108 projects in the region on different mineral commodities in the last five years. Under your leadership, the Ministry of Mines has been making continuous efforts to encourage mining activities across India. The government is also keenly examining the environmental
implications of coal and oil exploration in the region. Please share your initiatives such as incentives for successful auction of mines to the states to accomplish economic prosperity and employment for their people through mining.
A. One thrust of the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi ji is the development of the northeastern region. It is said not as a fashion, but as a passion. People earlier used to mention Northeast as a fashion. However, our Prime Minister’s commitment is not just a commitment; it is passion, to see that Northeast should also develop. All the ministries are working dedicatedly to accomplish this. My ministry, under the guidance of the Prime Minister, is taking several initiatives to accomplish this. Recently, we had a Northeast Mines Minister Conference and there was so much enthusiasm.
Earlier, at the All India Mines Minister Conference, one or two ministers from the Northeast states had come. They requested for a separate meeting with me, and said that all the mines ministers of the region will be there. They were even keen to come to Delhi for this meeting. I expressed the Coal Ministry’s interest and availability to be present for the meeting in the region. So, we had a whole day’s conference of all the Northeast mines’ ministers, and had a deliberation.
Many locations in India’s Northeast region have coal reserves. There are reserves in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. In these parts, coal has to be explored and mined out. However, there were some policy problems, which we have now resolved. Shortly, there is going to be mining activity in these parts. In some of the Northeast States, the auction is already taking place.
As far as other minerals are concerned, we have brought in changes, for example, transfer of clearances and no end user restriction. These programmes are adding to the development of the sector. Of course, this includes the northeast. We are identifying the potential of the Northeast, and have told them to have sustainable mining and are continuously interacting with them. They are also quite enthusiastic and I am quite confident that, in the coming days, the GDP to the Northeast by mining will definitely increase and so will the GDP of the country.
Leading the nation
SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI
We have decided to increase the contribution of the mining sector in the coming two to three years, under the Prime Minister’s target, from 0.9% to at least 2.5%. We are progressing towards the goal. All the said changes made are giving the desired result. After the mining amendments in 2021, 102 mines have been auctioned, making it the biggest ever auction. Now, another 86 mines are being put for auction. I am quite confident that these mines will be auctioned in a big way. In the entire world, there is a first come, first serve. But in India, because demand is huge, the people who want to invest in these mines are huge. That’s why we have decided on the auction regime. Many people said that the auction would not be successful, but it was quite successful. On the record, I can inform you that many states, through our reforms, are earning huge revenues. For example, Odisha, its revenue before the 2021 amendment was around Rs. 25,000 crore. After our amendment, after our change of policy, after our reforms, now their revenue is Rs. 50,000 crore. They are writing to all the ministries and departments to spend more money on welfare schemes. They have also deposited, as a reserve fund in the Reserve Bank of India, Rs. 10,000 crore.
So, this is the change this reform has brought. I am quite confident that both in the mining and coal sector, this will add a big amount to the exchequer, to the GDP, and would lead to an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’
Q. Sir, we really appreciate your endeavours undertaken especially in the Northeastern sector and we intend to get your insights also on the reforms undertaken by your ministry in the mining sector. And my specific question to you in this regard is that around 2,50,000 projects have been sanctioned
under Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana and around 1,33,000 have been completed so far, which is quite appreciable. The welfare scheme is related to the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations using funds generated by district mineral foundations. Till September 2022, Rs. 63,000 crore was allocated and Rs. 37,000 crore has already been spent on this. Please throw light on the benefits it brings to the people.
A. Previously, wherever mining used to happen, that area used to be given to somebody on a first come first serve basis. They used to mine out unscientifically, unsystematically, and they never used to bother about the issues and problems arising out of mining. Naturally, this led to some problems for local people, the residents. Problems do occur when you
“MANY PEOPLE SAID THAT THE AUCTION WOULD NOT BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT IT WAS QUITE SUCCESSFUL. ON THE RECORD, I CAN QUOTE YOU THAT MANY STATES, BY USING OUR REFORMS, ARE EARNING HUGE REVENUES. ODISHA IS ONE SUCH STATE”
mine. So, keeping that in mind, we have introduced the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Shetra Kalyan Yojana that has introduced District Mineral Fund (DMF). Under DMF, we will collect some amount. The people who mine naturally sell the resource in the market. On that basis, we collect a certain percentage of the amount from them. This amount will be kept in the district treasury. It will be with district administration. The amount will be mainly and majorly spent on the requirements in the region where the mining takes place. The requirement may be rehabilitation or environment. Some amenities will have to be added, such as clean drinking water, plantations, and good roads, which we will take care.
If there are good roads whenever the mined-out material moves, there will be less pollution. All such facilities will ensure the total welfare of the entire mining area. The thrust is on the fact that wherever mining happens, this fund is used. Crores of rupees have been collected in this fund and are being used. We have sanctioned many projects and they have begun. The Obvious Geological Potential (OGP) was just around 5,88,000 hectares. After we took over, it was 10%, but now it is 30%. Out of this 30%, the mining is very less in India in comparison to the world. We are increasing it now. After the 250 mines that we have auctioned come into production, our mining contribution will be huge. Then, to assist and take care of the local people, the DMF will be used.
Q. Sir, what is your message for our AsiaOne Greatest Brands and Leaders TV Series, which is reaching 81 countries, with more than 64 million viewers, especially in the US, Canada and the Middle-East.
A. You are doing a great job! I have gone through your magazines and some of your stories. I only wish that the magazine will reach some more countries. The development stories of India that you are broadcasting to many places now must reach many other countries.
At the same time, India, postCOVID-19, is performing very well and it is now almost a destination for investment. With this message, I am using your channel to call upon the people to invest in India, including the mining and the coal sector.
Walking the Talk
SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA
HON’BLE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Harvesting the Rewards of Selfless Service to the Nation
A member of Rajya Sabha, representing the Indian state of Gujarat, Shri Parshottam Rupala served as School Principal prior to diving into politics. His clear vision and perfect understanding of the needs of the masses, has enabled him to usher in effective changes to make India the best or ‘Shreshtha Bharat.’
Currently, he is leaving no stone unturned in working for the empowerment of farmers
BY RICHA SANG
QA &
Q. Sir, your ministry has done a commendable job under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision to empower farmers of the country. Modi ji believes that the growth of the nation is deeply connected to the well-being of the farmer and the productivity of farming. Please enlighten us with the various initiatives taken by the government to accomplish the goal of ensuring farmers’ prosperity.
A. I am very happy to talk about some of the decisions taken by our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji for the agriculture sector and the farmers of the country. This is the first time after independence that the Prime Minister of the country has tried to change the agricultural policy radically. Till 2014, before Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji took charge, the goal of our agricultural policy was productivity. Our objectives were to increase production and fix the country’s food security. There was a talk of experiments and innovations, but the target remained agricultural production. For the first time, our respected Prime Minister has tried to link income with productivity. He asked in a simple language that the production is increasing, but how much of this is going to the pocket of the producer? He also said that it was very important to take care of the farmer. I believe that this belief of the Prime Minister has proved to be a good direction for India’s agriculture sector. He
Walking the Talk
SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA
put the target of doubling farmers’ income in front of his government. And from then, there has been a complete change in the agricultural policy of the country.
To double the income of farmers, the government chose four areas of activities — to reduce the cost incurred by farmers, to increase the productivity of farmers, to mitigate the risks faced by farmers in agriculture, and to get the farmers the right price for their productivity. With these objectives, the Prime Minister began working to promote the country’s agriculture sector.
I remember that once, when the Prime Minister was the Chief Minister, there was a farmer agitation in Gujarat regarding electricity. Then our Prime Minister was told that farmers are demanding electricity and are agitating for seeds. But, in reality, the farmer needs water; he does not need electricity, he actually needs water. If the poor get water even without electricity, then the farmer has no business with electricity. This realisation helped the Prime Minister envisage for the first time the schemes to boost irrigation. However, these schemes were not being started and were delayed for 10 years; some were even delayed for 20 years. For example, I can mention the most important scheme of our state, Narmada, whose foundation was laid by respected Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru ji, but the credit for its inauguration went to our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.
One must see the period to understand how long it takes to accomplish a plan. Hundred such schemes — with 99 schemes identified with names and locations — were pending for more than 10 years. These schemes were launched, and later forgotten by people, and stuck despite certain expenditures incurred, with no benefits going to the farmers. The
Prime Minister then made a provision of Rs. 50,000 crore to complete such schemes. A fund of such a huge amount was created and efforts were started by the Government of India in a focused way to complete these schemes.
I am delighted to inform you that today out of these pending schemes, more than 40 schemes have been completed and 70 lakh hectares of land has come under irrigation coverage. It has created a new land where farmers could not farm even a single crop till yesterday, but are now in a position to grow two to three crops. A big scheme of Gujarat, Narmada will see 18 lakh hectares of land under irrigation. Now, the work of bringing 70 lakh hectares under irrigation has been done under the guidance of our Prime Minister through Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, which means five new Narmada Yojanas have come true.
Q. Honorable Minister Sir, under the UPA government, the agriculture budget for 10 years was Rs. 1,17,000 crore. During the last eight years of Prime Minister Modi ji’s government, money transferred to the accounts of farmers through DBT was Rs 2,16,000 crore. The agriculture policy till 2014 focused on productivity, but, under Modi ji’s leadership, the focus has shifted to income too. The goal of doubling farmers’ income has brought a major change. Please enlighten us with other landmark steps undertaken by the Government for farmers and their positive impact on farmers and farming.
A. I can give you a comparison through an example. The agriculture budget of the UPA government for the last 10 years was Rs. 1,70,000 crore. In the last eight years, our Prime Minister, through Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi – a scheme
“SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS THE ONLY WAY TO IMPROVE GOVERNANCE. IT IS OUR PRIME MINISTER’S BELIEF AND JUDGMENT THAT IT SHOULD BE OF MAXIMUM USE TO GUIDE PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT PATH AND TO SOLVE PEOPLE’S PROBLEMS”
which aims to give Rs. 6,000 per year to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) – deposited Rs. 2,16,000 crore in the accounts of the farmers. Now, imagine the difference between the budget of 10 years, i.e., Rs. 1,17,000 crore and Rs. 2,16,000 crore in the last eight years! It has established the priority of our Prime Minister and his attitude towards agriculture. It is a brilliant example of his approach. The last budget presented by the Congress government, of 2013-14, was of Rs 22,000 crore. Our budget for this year is Rs. 1,31,000 crore. Such a big difference – of more than five times – in the budgetary support to the farmers of the country and agriculture has only been made possible on the directions of our Prime Minister.
Q. Sir, India is set to usher in a revolution in the global fertiliser space with its nano fertiliser technology. One 500 ml bottle of the nano variant is equivalent to one bag of conventional urea. Please share more on this breakthrough and how far will this take agriculture?
A. I would like to inform you that Modi ji got a small thing done. The urea fertiliser, which is used the most by our farmer brothers, has been Neem coated. I am happy to inform you that before the Neem-coated urea, subsidised urea worth billions of trillions of rupees used to benefit the fertiliser industries, and farmers had to face shortage in getting it. Sometimes farmers even had to face lathi-charge. This has been changed with neem-coated urea. With this, the urea became of no use to the industry and became accessible to farmers. With this urea, Modi ji has made such a big impact on the agriculture sector and the farmers of the country.
As a farmer, I would like to tell you that we farmers used to take 50 kg bags of urea for farming and plowing. Nanotechnology has been made possible by our Prime Minister, who wants to make maximum use of technology. He wants the influence of technology to increase in every field. Science and technology is the only way to improve governance. It is our Prime Minister’s belief and judgment that it should be of maximum use to guide people on the right path and to solve people’s problems. He has successfully completed a program to make liquid form of urea with this nanotechnology. For our
country, by giving support to a scientist, who had practiced in America, but by supporting him here, this nanotechnology was successfully used in our country.
India is the first in the world to make the liquid form of urea with nanotechnology, ahead of the developed countries of the world. Today, we can say that for our farmers, with nanotechnology, the urea is available in liquid form, which can replace a 50 kg bag with just a 500 ml form. What we used to carry on our shoulders can now be carried in our pocket and taken to the field. With the help of this revolutionary technology, which the farmers of the country have received owing to the dedicated efforts of our Prime Minister, I would like to say that in future, the use of nanotechnology urea is going to be instrumental in bringing a revolution in agriculture not only in the country, but also in the world. Its use has started on a large scale here. It is being manufactured in Gujarat. All the projects are being run by the Government to manufacture it in other areas of the country as well.
Q. Respected Sir, the Centre has hiked the agri credit to farmers. As a result, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying of India has also been strengthened. Please share with our readers the accomplishments of the ministry so far.
A. The farmers had to be given institutional credit. When Modi ji took charge as Prime Minister in 2014, there was a loan flow of Rs. 8 lakh crore. Today, it has reached Rs. 18 lakh crore. Such a big change has become possible in the credit due to the Prime Minister. I am also happy to tell you that today, the Prime Minister, along with the agriculture sector, has helped the allied sector, which is a kind of part of agriculture. To help the Animal Husbandry and Dairy sectors, it has also been decided to make this ministry an independent ministry. After making the ministry independent, he has done the same for health. Our Prime Minister has done the work of providing a shield of protection to the citizens of the entire country by prioritizing the COVID-19 vaccine for the citizens. Similarly, for the livestock of the country, he decided to run another vaccination drive across the country, to provide security cover. This too has been done with 100 percent
Walking the Talk
SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA
expenditure of the Government of India. The Government of India, in collaboration with the State Governments, is running a vaccination drive, for the entire livestock of the country that is suffering from diseases like foot and mouth and viral infections. Because of these, our cattle rearers and animals have suffered a lot. To get rid of the problems, a huge campaign is being run by our Animal Husbandry Department under the guidance of the Prime Minister. He has also made a budgetary provision of
Rs. 13,000 crore for this.
I want to share a joyous development with you. We had 108 as the number to call an ambulance. By dialing 108, an ambulance appears in front of us and we can go wherever we want for a medical facility. Similarly, from today, I am also sharing another number with you, 1962.
The Prime Minister has launched Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) for the entire countrymen, especially for the cattle herders of the entire country. He has taken this technology to the doorstep of each cattle herder. We have sanctioned more than 6,000 ambulances. The Prime Minister has allocated an amount of more than Rs. 650 crore for this. The operations of the MVUs has also started in five to six states. In Gujarat, when I was visiting Mewat during this election period, I came to know that everyday more than 3,000 calls are coming on the number 1962.
I am delighted to tell you that when I went to Nagaland, to inaugurate a mobile veterinary unit, the Chief Minister told me that the state’s border touches Myanmar. And, where it is not possible to go by air or road, Modi ji’s scheme has reached. In such remote areas, like cattle rearers living on the country’s border, our mobile unit is available. All these experiments are an attempt to strengthen agriculture and farmers.
Similarly, other noteworthy initiatives have been the schemes for irrigation and micro irrigation, raising the flow of credit, and our Prime Minister’s decision on MSP – which actually was a recommendation of Swaminathan ji and was received by the Government of India in 2006, but the then Congress-led UPA government did not take cognizance of it.
Today, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the leader of the Congress, asks about the MSP. He wants the guarantee of MSP. He needs to
“THE OPERATIONS OF MOBILE VETERINARY UNITS HAVE STARTED IN FIVE TO SIX STATES. IN GUJARAT, WHEN I WAS VISITING MEWAT DURING THIS ELECTION PERIOD, I CAME TO KNOW THAT EVERYDAY MORE THAN 3,000 CALLS ARE COMING ON THE NUMBER 1962”
know that in 2006, when Swaminathan ji gave the recommendations to them, it was their government, then they did not even approve it. But, now, you want the guarantee!
Our Prime Minister approved the recommendation of Swaminathan ji and the MSP was fixed by adding 50 percent profit to the cost of the farmers. It will be considered that such a policy decision has been taken. I believe that after independence, this is one of the most important decisions for agriculture, and it has been taken by our Prime Minister. Today, the Government of India along with State Governments is procuring billions and trillions of rupees of commodities from farmers at fair prices.
Looking at the farmer welfare measures on the ground, such as reducing the cost of farming, increasing the use of technology, promoting animal husbandry, and working on the health and protection of animals, the country under the guidance of our Prime Minister has accomplished in the last eight years what could not be imagined in the last six decades.
Q. Sir, please state your views on “Greatest Brands and Leaders” TV series by AsiaOne Magazine.
A. AsiaOne TV series is being broadcast from our country to 81 countries of the world; 64 million people are watching it. I extend my best wishes to the series. I also expect from AsiaOne that when you reach your viewers across the world and the citizens of other countries, you should take ahead India’s message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’ Ours is the only culture, which considers human beings settled anywhere in the whole world as members of one family. You should try to spread this noble message. Efforts should also be made to spread our message of nonviolence on the world stage.
Then, you should talk about the model of development that our Prime Minister has created, also that every problem of the world can be solved through development and negotiation. The mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” should also be promoted all across the world through this channel. And, if any such special practices are being followed elsewhere in the world, you must also bring them to the knowledge of our countrymen. I wish you all the best, thank you!
Face to Face
SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE
HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Laying the Foundation of a Developed India
As the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore has been efficaciously laying the foundation of a developed nation. He has been devising various innovative, sustainable, eco-friendly and disaster-resilient technologies to accomplish the mission of ‘Housing for All.’ His dedicated endeavours have resulted in a paradigm shift in the nation’s housing and construction sector
BY RICHA SANG
QA &
Q. Hon’ble Minister Sir, under your exemplary leadership, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is dedicated to help promote the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative envisioned by our Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. Please highlight the various initiatives taken by your Ministry in the context of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U).
A. When Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke for the first time in the Lok Sabha, he said that by the year 2022 the last person of this country, that is, the economically weakest, will have his own house. The house should also have a stove, which cooks in the morning and evening, which means he should get employment; it should have a bulb that works for 24 hours, which means it should get electricity; and a tap that gives water. The Prime Minister implemented the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Rural so that even the last person in this country gets bread, clothes and a house. So, under the urban plan, as per the target fixed by the Prime Minister, houses of 1,12,00,000 people were approved by the department till 31st March 2022. However, demand for more than 11,00,000 people came and so, at present, houses of 1,23,00,000 people have been sanctioned.
According to the demand, our department has approved the houses on
face to face
SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE
the instructions of our respected Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modiji. In this, more than 60% houses have been built and handed over to people.
For constructing houses for those who live in urban areas, if they have their own plot, then our central government gives Rs. 1.5 lakh and the state government gives Rs. 1 lakh. Wherever there is a BJPruled state, people who are eligible for housing and have their own land or plot in the city, they get Rs. 2.5 lakh to get their own private residence.
It is the target of the Prime Minister that there should not be any person left in India who does not have one’s own private residence. That’s why the work of providing housing to all the eligible people according to their need is being done by extending this scheme to 2024.
Q. Hon’ble Minister Sir, under your guidance, Technology Sub Mission (TSM) was set up to develop innovative, sustainable, eco-friendly and disasterresilient technologies at low cost and fast pace to facilitate the adoption of technologies and building materials. For quality construction of all these houses, we believe that TSM not only aims to ensure faster and safer delivery facilities under PMAY Aayog, but also has the potential to bring a paradigm shift in the overall housing construction sector in the country. Please elaborate.
A. We have to accept that because some things happen slowly, they move slowly. The Prime Minister has also made the Gati Shakti Yojana for this, so that the work of all departments increases rapidly. If work is done with speed, development will also happen quickly and people will progress quickly. Efforts are being made continuously for this, whether it is a residential scheme or any other construction of buildings or
the construction of an office building. The Prime Minister made this scheme for any kind of scheme that can be constructed quickly and prepared and put into use quickly.
Our department should also work to play an important role in this so that people not only get housing as soon as possible, but also get more offices — their offices or roads or whatever they need — and get a chance to move forward and quickly. Soon, with such schemes, we should become a developed nation. To build a self-reliant India, everyone is working on Make in India under the leadership of Honourable Modi ji.
Q. Hon’ble Minister Sir, Affordable Retail Housing Complexes (ARHC) scheme, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat package, aims to achieve the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan by creating a sustainable ecosystem of affordable rental solutions and housing. Its overall objective is to cover the need for affordable rental housing for all urban migrant poor. Kindly share some salient features of this scheme.
A. On the instructions of the Honourable Prime Minister, our department has decided a plan for all the migrant labourers. Under this plan, people were offered to build buildings on their own private land. In case they do not have the land, the government made land available to them. The buildings built can be given to these labourers on rent for up to 25 years at a lower rate. In 25 years, only 25% interest will increase and it will increase only 8% at a time. When it increases by 25%, then more than that rent will be taken.
So, we came up with a plan to rent out at an affordable rate to the migrant workers. It has been offered to private builders in the country. This work has also started so
“UNDER THE PLAN FOR MIGRANT LABOURERS, OUR DEPARTMENT OFFERED TO BUILD BUILDINGS, EITHER ON THEIR OWN PRIVATE LAND OR ON THE LAND MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM. THE BUILDINGS BUILT CAN BE GIVEN ON RENT FOR UP TO 25 YEARS AT A LOWER RATE”
that the labourers who come from outside, and who work the whole day, and sleep on the footpath or in the park, can get a house and a roof. Our departments are working to implement this scheme under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
Q. Sir, we, at AsiaOne, appreciate the efforts of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in bringing together cities, citizen groups and start-ups to improve public transport to better serve the needs of all citizens. To make ends meet, it is improving public transportation. In addition, its Smart Cities Challenge aims to inspire smart cities to develop a plan that integrates institutional, physical, social and economic infrastructure, along with the application of ‘smart’ solutions
to combat food-related problems, to support a healthy, safe and sustainable food environment. Please throw light on these projects.
A. To give you an example, the metro is running through our department now. The metro does not pollute the environment. It also provides the people the facility of commuting at a low rate. Right now, our department is planning to run electric buses, and we intend to operate around 10,000 buses first in the whole country.
A plan is being made for these electric buses and charging points. Actually, it will become operational in different cities gradually. So, before this, for the first time, it has been started in our Parliament. Electric buses and gradually electric cars, electric motor-cycles, and two-wheelers,
three-wheelers and four-wheeler vehicles will be started, which would lead to a pollution-free environment.
When there is pollution, then our food items also become polluted. In this respect, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly trying to advance natural farming in our country.
Natural farming means that the chemicals that are used in farming and the production of crops will be natural and pure. The second thing is to give information about such substances that harm the person, to tell them and make them understand. It is the responsibility of every person to know what one is eating and drinking, and which ingredient used in the food is harmful. People must work towards protecting themselves from such
harmful items.
For example, it is written on every product that is intoxicating and is injurious to health. Whose fault is it when a welleducated person consumes it despite reading it? So, this government also does the work of warning the people. It advises people to avoid such things. Such foods cause physical damage to our body’s internal organs, and so it is necessary to avoid them. Once we follow this instruction, the age of people will increase. Because intoxication harms people, there is a need to avoid food items that weaken our mind. That is why our respected Prime Minister has said that till 2024 pure drinking water will be delivered to every house in the whole country through pipelines. For this, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has also been formed by respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. In the same way, there should be pure food and natural farming. We are working towards it, and I understand that in the coming time, every crop in our country will be produced through natural farming, and it will be pure. We can use Ayurveda as much as possible in our life; it will be good for us as well as pure.
Now, if you look at Smart Cities and other such projects, then you will realise that the purpose behind making Smart Cities is also the same. A Smart City means a pollution-free city with laid sewer lines. There is pure drinking water with built roads. A Smart City should be a model. All the targeted smart cities in the country will be developed by 2030. People will be inspired by these Smart Cities. Eventually, other cities will also become smart, villages will become smart, and our country will become smart.
Respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has plans to make India a developed country by 2047, when the country will complete 100 years of independence. For that, our department, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, is fully committed, determined, and honoured to work on his instructions to make a better, easy and healthy India.
Q. During the pandemic, we at AsiaOne launched the ‘Greatest Brands and Leaders’ TV series, in June 2020, on six major channels. This is in accordance with PM Modi’s vision of Jai Anusandhan. We took inspiration from
SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE
his slogan, and today this TV series is reaching 64 million users in 81 countries of the world and has been named twice in the World Book of Records. In this series, we not only promote business and social leaders, but also bring forward political leaders like you who are engaged in nation building for the country and are doing a good job. What is your message for AsiaOne Magazine?
A. I thank the founder of this magazine and all the reporters, cameramen and bureau chiefs associated with this magazine. I thank the whole team for the work they are doing in building the country. The mission of Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Make in India — to make India self-reliant, that is, to become such an India which stands completely on its own feet, in the field of technology, agriculture, industry, science, education, health, and every other field. We can show a new direction, a new path to the whole world. For that, the work of making a self-reliant India and a program to make a developed India has been done by the respected Prime Minister.
From now till 2047, the work of preparing a programme on making the country a developed country will be done. For this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a complete plan. He said, Vocal for Local, that is, to make a self-reliant India, promote the local products that belong to our country, use them and then produce so much of them so that we do not have to import these products. We will do production in our country only.
Under this scheme, so far, there are about 300 products that we earlier bought from abroad but are manufacturing in our country. Today, our country supplies some instruments and parts of defence material in more than 75 countries. We are slowly working towards self-reliant India under the leadership of respected Shri Narendra
Modi ji.
The Honorable Prime Minister wants our country to become a developed nation by 2047, when it completes 100 years of independence. For that, I would like to humbly request the founder of your magazine and all of you to help in making a developed India. Let us all unite and play an important role in nation building.
The Prime Minister says, as long as any person of our country remains troubled, economically or socially or for any other reason, we cannot make a developed India. That’s why he gave housing to every eligible Indian. There should be toilet in the house — Swachh Bharat Mission — gas cylinder, stove for cooking under the district plan; Kisan Nidhi Samman gives farmers Rs. 6,000 a year; 50 crore people get treatment under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and all other schemes like pension
“THE PRIME MINISTER SAYS, AS LONG AS ANY PERSON OF OUR COUNTRY REMAINS TROUBLED, ECONOMICALLY OR SOCIALLY OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON, WE CANNOT MAKE A DEVELOPED INDIA. THAT’S WHY HE GAVE HOUSING TO EVERY ELIGIBLE INDIAN”
to widow, disabled and elderly.
If someone wants to be employed or skilled, then one can, as the Prime Minister has formed the Ministry of Skill Development. The Ministry gives people training for free, to help them earn employment. People can also get money under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Loan Yojana to become entrepreneurs. Scheduled Castes and women, who are considered the most vulnerable, can become entrepreneurs, as banks give them loans ranging from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 1 crore without guarantee.
With the implementation of such schemes, every person has a chance to become financially strong. It is the mission of the Prime Minister to accomplish the mission of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, to establish an exploitationfree, casteless society. The Prime Minister is working on this.
It is the mission of Narendra Modi ji and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji that a smile should come on the face of the last person. Only when all facilities will be available will there be a smile on every face, and the mission of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji will be accomplished. Modiji is also working on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay’s mission, Antyodaya — the rise of the last man.
In addition, all the missions of our saints, whether Sant Gadge Maharaj, Sant Ravidas, Maharishi Valmiki, Mahatma Buddha, Mahavir Jain or Kabir, and everyone who have had a mission for a developed India, where there is an end to the exploitation of man by man, Prime Minister Modi is working on every such mission.
So, I would like to humbly appeal to the Founders of this magazine and all the people associated with it — journalists, editors, correspondents, cameramen and staff — to make the country a selfreliant country, to make India a developed country in the world!
In all the fields, to become Vishwaguru, let us do whatever we can to promote, spread and help Modi ji’s plans to reach one and all. You are also taking commendable steps for this, that’s why your magazine gets promoted and disseminated in such a rapid speed. I wish that it reaches more and more people far and wide, spreading the message to the masses and setting a new dimension and a new record. I express my gratitude to you for this!
face to face
Student Stories for Success
The Power of Student Storytelling in Higher Education Marketing
Steve Tulk FRSA, GEDU Global Education
Steve Tulk from GEDU Global Education talks about how adopting a storytelling approach to educational marketing can bring benefits to the business.
They say that ‘pride comes before a fall’ – and this is an expression that is proven time and time again. But this expression talks about ‘pride’ as being excessive, on the verge of showing off; telling us that the person who shows off can often have a very public fall.
But let’s think about the ‘pride’ in this expression differently. Not excessive pride, or showing off –and this is something normal, not bad. Just the kind of pride that is attached to being proud of something. As marketers, we should be proud. We should be proud of the organisation we work for and the great things it has achieved. But this comes with a warning – whilst this ‘pride’ might not come before a ‘fall’, it can definitely be detrimental to our brands.
You might well ask why pride in a brand would create a negative impact at all. It’s a fair question, and I’m not saying we shouldn’t be proud –we absolutely should be proud of who we work for. But this kind of pride can lead to us wanting to over-control the messaging around our brands. It can lead to a tendency to only share the things that we are proud of at the expense of any other messaging. This is as true for the marketing of higher education as it is for any product or service.
Number crunching
In Higher Education, pride in the achievements of our institution often leads to us wanting to use facts and figures to promote our business. Where I work, at GEDU Global Education, we are very proud of our achievements – over 25,000 students studying on
over 30 courses; over 800 employees across a dozen campuses; partnerships with many education partners leading to thousands of graduates heading to success every year. These figures are impressive, and we talk about them a lot. But they are not our only message, nor should they be.
In fact, talking about numbers can lead to confusion in the target audience. In Higher Education, that audience is mostly made up of potential students and their friends and families. The institution might be very proud of having so many students, but potential students might worry that they will be treated as just a number and that they will get lost in such a big system. Or they may worry that university resources are stretched too far with so many students and campuses. None of which is true – the very opposite in fact – but numbers alone are always open to interpretation.
So educational marketing – when the target is future students – can’t be solely based on numbers. But what, then, is the alternative?
People like me
Another old expression is ‘people like me, like people like me’ – and this is one more that certainly has an element of truth to it. In fact, this expression is very relevant to us as marketers, reminding us that our customers like to see other people that are ‘just like them’ enjoying our products. But how do we convey this message? With such a wide base of potential customers, how do Higher Education institutions ensure that everyone is included?
At GEDU Global Education, our student cohort comes from over 80 countries. Students range in age from late teens to pre-retirement, and we have a gender and cultural mix that we are incredibly proud of. Such diversity is great and celebrating this is important to us – “we cherish diversity” is enshrined as a core GEDU value – however, representing this diversity in our marketing can be difficult.
We want to share our stories and show this diversity. We want to show the world that studying with a GEDU Global Education institution is available for everyone. But how do we make sure that everyone feels represented, and that everyone sees ‘someone like me’?
Common ground in diversity
Clearly, Higher Education marketers can’t show the full range of diverse demographics in their marketing materials – this would mean that each advert, each flyer, brochure or social media post is so finely targeted that it would only be relevant to a small part of the target audience.
There is, therefore, a need for an alternative to this finely-tuned demographic approach. Whilst we celebrate diversity in all its forms, HE marketers should also focus on what brings people together – human stories rather than stories about nationalities or age groups. Human stories transcend ethnicity, age, gender and nationality. Quite simply, human stories work.
At GEDU Global Education, another of our core values is “we care for our students”. We don’t focus on our students’ nationality – whether they are Polish, Pakistani or Peruvian is almost irrelevant. We don’t talk about young or old. Our marketing isn’t about gender or race.
Instead, GEDU talk about students who work whilst studying; people who are making the first step in their careers; students who look after their families; people studying far from home; people taking courageous steps to improve their lives. Human stories that transcend demographics and that are instantly relatable to a wide cross-section of the target audience.
One story, many stories
At GBS, the Higher Education provider within the GEDU group, many student stories are shared – online, on social media and in printed marketing materials.
One such story would be Jolanta – a student at GBS West London. Jolanta is currently studying for a degree in Accounting and Financial Management. She is doing really well on her course and will graduate with A BSc (Hons) bachelor’s degree. She will be ready to take her career to the next level with this new GBS qualification in her hand. This in itself is a great story – who doesn’t love to see student success like this?
But Jolanta’s story is so much bigger than a simple ‘student succeeding on their course’ story. Jolanta was chosen to represent GBS because of her appeal to multiple audiences.
Jolanta is a thirty-something working parent from Lithuania. She manages her studies, holds down a job and looks after her family, all at the same time. She is passionate about numbers and finance. Jolanta has returned to education in order to be able to make a leap in her career.
So when we share Jolanta’s story with the world, we are not just saying ‘students succeed at GBS’ – we are saying ‘students like YOU succeed at GBS’. And when we say ‘students like YOU’ we mean, in this instance – women, parents, older students, people in a new country, people who work whilst studying, people who care for other family members, people who are passionate about a particular subject or field and the list goes on and on. And within this list, a massively wide section of the GBS and GEDU target market is reached.
Working people have a connection to Jolanta’s story. Women see Jolanta as proof that education is an option for them. She shows that you can get a British degree even if English isn’t your native language. People caring for kids or elderly parents see that Jolanta manages to juggle her studies with caring duties successfully. Jolanta is proof that passion is worth pursuing.
And Jolanta is just one story from GBS. Just one story in 25,000 students. Just one story across our global network of campuses.
Our business stretches from London and Leeds to Dubai and Delhi. GEDU students come from 80+ countries and all continents. We offer higher education through GBS, GBS Dubai and GBS Malta. Students can join an apprenticeship scheme with MetaGedu Apprentices – with the opportunity to get a recognised qualification in the workplace. And we also offer expert English language tuition at English Path – market leading language schools in the UK, Europe, Middle east and beyond.
The sheer number of student stories within the group is huge – finding the right student stories isn’t always easy, but is always worth the effort.
Sharing is caring (and essential!)
Sharing student stories is powerful. As confusing as student and campus numbers might be for potential Higher Education students, human stories are accessible and relatable. Sharing these stories shows the human face of education – and let’s face it, choosing to go into Higher Education at any age can be pretty daunting, regardless of our background.
This human face enables us to make a connection with potential students through our brand marketing, through our imagery and words, our messages and stories. This connection gets stronger as potential students interact with our brand and discover more stories – on our socials, on our website and when speaking to our
representatives. And then, once their GEDU HE studies have started – whether it is at GBS in the UK, GBS Dubai or GBS Malta, these stories continue to motivate and cheer students through their studies.
At GEDU we pride ourselves on being leaders and innovators. The GEDU Group CEO won Asia One’s Edupreneur of the Year for a reason – we are a forward-looking, career-focused education group that puts students at the heart of everything we do.
Sharing our student stories is powerful. We are 25,000 students from over 80 countries, studying a wide range of courses at multiple campuses around the world. We are Higher Education (GBS, GBS Dubai, GBS Malta); On-the-job Learning (MetaGedu Apprenticeships); and Language Schools (English Path). We are connected to our communities, and continue to sponsor Ukrainian refugee students through Higher Education and language courses.
We are successful and we lead the way with our innovative approach to education. But beyond these facts and figures, we are people like Jolanta. Individual students, each changing their lives, creating their own opportunities and improving their communities through education with GEDU.
At GEDU, we want to connect with the world and let everyone know that education is possible. A better career is possible. An improved lifestyle is possible. And it all starts with a human connection – with seeing a story like Jolanta’s showing our future students that anything is possible. After all, ‘if Jolanta can do it, then so can I’.
About the Author
Steve Tulk FRSA
Steve Tulk is the Head of Brand Marketing for the GEDU group. Steve is an experienced education marketer, having learned his craft at educational institutions in Europe, the Middle East and the UK.
Recently awarded a Fellowship by the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (the RSA), Steve enjoys the networking opportunities that this brings. He is a firm believer that, whilst the level of knowledge and experience in the world of Education and Development is outstanding, the answers to our questions don’t always come exclusively from within our sector.
About GEDU Global Education
GEDU (Global Education) is a dynamic and innovative group of education providers. Across our institutions, programmes are designed to have a direct positive impact on the lives of our students, apprentices and trainees, and to equip them for future success in their chosen career or sector.
GEDU Global Education Website: gedu.global
WORLD’S GREATEST LEADER 2023
The youngest leader of the United Kingdom in two centuries, most importantly its first prime minister of South Asian heritage and a Hindu, Rishi Sunak says that accepting the role of UK PM was his dharma – “about doing the things that were expected of you and trying to do the right thing.” The Conservative leader is well versed in economics, and UK citizens appreciated his role as the finance minister, and at this moment of the financial crisis, he is an excellent choice to manage the country’s economy and make a stunning comeback. As the Prime Minister of the UK Rishi has to tame soaring inflation, make the sluggish UK economy grow, ease pressure on its overburdened healthcare system, and “restore the integrity back into politics”.
What it takes to make the cut is right decisions and risk taking ability, which the 42-year-old world leader is known for. He quit a dream career as an investment banker in Goldman Sachs to go for an MBA and then employment. He also knew that following his faith publically may make him a target for western media, but did not change his stand. He has always stood up for what he thought to be correct. He took a stand for his traditional and religious values, and was strong and determined about his economic policies and ideas.
HUMBLE ROOTS, GREAT EDUCATION
Rishi Sunak was born in Southampton on May 12, 1980, to Indian immigrants, with roots in Punjab and East Africa. They met and married after their families migrated in the 1960s to Southampton in southern England. Rishi’s father became a general practitioner for the National Health Service. His mother, a pharmacist, owned and operated a small pharmacy, for which Rishi, the eldest of their three children, would eventually keep the books. Later, during his political career, he would underline this fact to relate his experiences working in the family business and the values he gained from them with those of Conservative Party idol Margaret Thatcher, who was the daughter of a grocer.
Rishi was fortunate to embark on a path travelled by the most privileged in society. He grew up watching his parents serve the local Indian community, and wanted to make that same positive difference to people as their Member of Parliament. He was first elected to the UK parliament in 2015 and was reelected in 2017 and 2019. A game-changer in his life was good education. Rishi’s parents
RISHI SUNAK
A SERIAL HIGH ACHIEVER
Handling one of the most difficult jobs in the world, Rishi Sunak in February 2023 completed 100 days in 10 Downing Street, London. There are multiple reasons for him to be there, the prime being his vast experience, which began from working in his mother’s small pharmacy shop and went onto building large businesses and managing the economy of the country. In his own words, he has the first-hand experience of how politicians should support free enterprise and innovation to ensure future prosperity
BY JYOTI VERMA
worked hard to give their children the best of education. Their sacrifices enabled him to attend private school at Winchester College, where he became the head boy. He went on to study philosophy, politics, and economics at Lincoln College, Oxford, where he was president of the Oxford Trading and Investment Society that helped students with opportunities to learn about financial markets and global trading. While at Oxford, Rishi also had an internship at the headquarters of the Conservative Party. During his student life, he volunteered his time to education programmes that unfolded opportunities. In his summer vacations, he also waited tables at a Southampton Indian restaurant. Today, as a politician, he aims to ensure that every individual gets the benefit of good education.
After graduating from Oxford in 2001, Rishi became an analyst for Goldman Sachs and worked for the investment banking company until 2004. He quit the job and pursued an MBA at Stanford University as a Fulbright scholar. At the Stanford University, he met his future wife, Akshata Murthy, daughter of the Indian billionaire and cofounder of technology giant Infosys, Narayana Murthy. After Stanford, he began a successful business career that included stints at Goldman Sachs and as a hedge
fund manager.
In a successful business career, Rishi cofounded a large investment firm, working with companies from Silicon Valley in the US to Bengaluru in India. He used this experience to help small and entrepreneurial UK companies grow successfully. From working in his mother’s small chemist shop to building large businesses, he realised how policies could support free enterprise and innovation to ensure future growth.
MAKING OF A WORLD LEADER
By the time Rishi switched to politics in his early 30s, he was already wealthy on his own. In 2010, he began working for the Conservative Party. During this period, he also became involved with Policy Exchange, a leading Conservative think tank, for which he became head of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Research Unit in 2014. In the same year, he was chosen as the Conservative Party’s candidate for the House of Commons from Richmond in North Yorkshire, a safe Conservative seat in the north of England long represented by onetime party leader William Hague.
In his first speech in the UK Parliament, Rishi shared a story from the days of his first campaign. It is about a farmer in Yorkshire who remarked, when Rishi was introduced
“DURING HIS STUDENT LIFE, RISHI VOLUNTEERED HIS TIME TO EDUCATION PROGRAMMES THAT UNFOLDED OPPORTUNITIES. IN HIS SUMMER VACATIONS, HE ALSO WAITED TABLES AT A RESTAURANT. TODAY, AS A POLITICIAN, HE AIMS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE GETS THE BENEFIT OF GOOD EDUCATION”
to him as “the New William Hague”. “Ah yes Haguey! Good bloke. I like him. Bit pale, though. This one’s got a nice tan.” William Hague himself praises him as “down to earth – a non-ideological Conservative”.
In May 2015, Rishi was elected by a commanding majority to the Parliament from Richmond, North Yorkshire, a seat he still holds. He joined the “leave” camp on the issue of Brexit, which he said would make the United Kingdom “freer, fairer, and more prosperous.” He was re-elected to Parliament in 2017 and 2019, and he voted three times in favour of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plans. In January 2018, he entered Government service as the Minister for Local Government, became Chief Secretary to the Treasury in July 2019, and was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in February 2020 and stayed on this position till July 2022.
Almost immediately after becoming the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi faced the challenges posed by the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic. As the British economy was clobbered by the shutdowns to stem the spread of the virus, his office tried to offset about £330 billion ($400 billion) in emergency funds for businesses and salary subsidies for workers to retain talent and ease the burden of the lockdown on people and businesses. His rescue programs became widely popular, helping him become a welcome face of the government at daily media briefings.
MAN OF THE MOMENT
Rishi Sunak resigned from the cabinet on July 5, 2022, and declared his intention to replace then UK PM Boris Johnson as leader. He lost to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss for the top job, which she could not sustain beyond 45 days, and paved the way for Rishi to become the first person of colour and first Hindu to lead Britain.
The journey as the UK PM so far has been a mixed bag for Rishi, but he is doing better than his predecessors, say observers. “Since Sunak has taken over, the polls have stabilised and the Labour lead has narrowed…,” said British polling agency YouGov on his 100 days in the office. On his personal rating, the agency assessed, “The Prime Minister’s personal favourability rating is comparatively better than those of his predecessors, sitting at -29 compared to Boris Johnson’s final score of -40 and Truss’s rock bottom -70.”
bhartiya mahaNtam vikas puraskar 2023
India has been the epicentre of knowledge and education for centuries. This inherent knowledge enlightened many people to see opportunities disguised in problems. When there was colonialism, there were solutions like non-cooperation and swadesi, and when there were social disparities, there were digital technologies that ensured social inclusion. The process of reaching these solutions brought the country many change-makers. These disruptors, with their outlook and service to the nation, changed many lives in the country and rose to international acclaim. AsiaOne’s Bharatiya Mahantam Vikas Puraskar (BMVP) celebrates such exceptional disruptors, who have turned many social adversities into promises of growth and development. These captains from the world of health, business, technology, social work and many other spheres were nominated by our esteemed council of Jury Members. This panel has actively and ingeniously helped us recognise many exemplary leaders over the last few years. In the forthcoming pages, we present to you the exclusive list of AsiaOne BMVP winners — the true children of India
tara gandhi bhattacharjEE
dr. j.c. chaudhry
ajay harinath singh
sadhguru
sunil agarwal
amand EE p kochar
dr. vishwaj EE t rana
Sadhguru was born in 1957 in Mysore, India. He was a fearless rebel since his childhood. Snake catching and venturing into the wilderness used to be his favourite pastimes in those days. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English from Mysore University. The profound mystic rethought the purpose of his life at the age of 25 after undergoing a spiritual experience. He eventually discovered his true calling and became a yoga teacher. With his ability to make ancient yogic sciences relevant to contemporary minds, the spiritual leader has transformed how young people view yoga and spirituality. According to him, yoga can help mortals generate happiness from within and mould their destinies.
THE ‘UNEDUCATED’ GURU
Sadhguru is known for his razor-sharp intelligence, unstoppable passion and dedication to spreading yoga and spirituality among the youth worldwide. His life’s mission is to promote the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of everyone. Moreover, his profound experience of the Self has enabled him to master the mechanisms of life. Millions of followers worldwide seek his guidance on spirituality, meditation, and the “realm of mysticism.” As a leader, he is credited with creating the historic Dhyanalinga – the mission of three lifetimes.
The spiritual leader has devised a unique set of activities to promote universal values and religious harmony through this meditation technique. His life experience is not based on teaching, philosophy, religion, or belief system. His scientific methods for self-transformation offer a direct and effective alternative to mere customs and rituals. The humble leader says, “The word ‘Sadhguru’ is not a title. It is a description. Sadhguru means’ uneducated Guru.’ I don’t know any scriptures. I come only from my inner experience. The only thing I know is this piece of life from its origin to its ultimate.”
THE ISHA FOUNDATION
In 1992, Sadhguru founded the Isha Foundation near Coimbatore. With human well-being as its primary objective, the nonprofit organisation operates an ashram and a yoga centre that carries out educational activities. A total of 16 million volunteers support its 300 centres worldwide.
Through Sadhguru, the Isha Foundation is dedicated to exploring the ancient science of yoga in its entirety. The Foundation offers
SADHGURU
A VERSATILE HUMANITARIAN
Indian yoga guru Jagadish Vasudev, popularly known as Sadhguru, is a proponent of spirituality and yoga. Since 1982, he has been teaching yoga in Southern India. A renowned speaker and opinion-maker, Sadhguru has been ranked among India’s 50 most influential people. One of the most distinguished citizens of India, he is the only Indian to be honoured with three presidential awards from three different presidents – including India’s highest annual civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan
BY MONALISA BISWAS
several programmes to help individuals achieve physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. These programmes have powerful transformational effects on the human body. Among the most crucial flagship programmes he offers to help people gain a balanced life are the Inner Engineering programmes.
A MULTI-TALENTED INDIVIDUAL
With his absolute clarity of perception, Sadhguru has a unique position in the worlds of spirituality, business, the environment, and international affairs. He is a voracious writer and the author of two New York Times bestsellers – a rare feat in the publishing genre of spirituality and mysticism. He has a very strong social media and digital media presence. Over 2.44 billion views of his videos on social media in 2021 made him the world’s most popular spiritual guide.
In addition to being a delegate to the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit, Sadhguru is also a member of the World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders and the Alliance for New Humanity. He has been invited to the Australian Leadership Retreat, Tallberg Forum, and Indian Economic Summits 2005-2008. He also attends the World Economic Forum regularly. Sadhguru’s gentle side can bring tears of gratitude and laughter to even the
most hardened hearts. He is adored by ashsmeared yogis, cheerful village children, and top-tier executives alike.
THE VISIONARY
A celebratory participant in all aspects of life, Sadhguru’s interests span architecture, visual design, poetry, painting, aviation, driving, sports, and music. His insights have led to the establishing of the Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The Yogi believes that insight, integrity and inspiration are the essential attributes of a leader. The wise and witty leader has been interviewed by BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNNfn, and Newsweek International for his vision and understanding of modern social and economic issues. Additionally, the leading national newspapers in India regularly publish his insights. His public talks and satsangs (group meditations) regularly draw crowds of over 3,00,000 people.
AN IMPECCABLE ORATOR
As an international speaker, Sadhguru is sought after by several prestigious global forums around the world. Aside from human rights, he also addresses issues related to business values, social issues and
“HE HAS UNDERTAKEN MASSIVE ECOLOGICAL INITIATIVES TO DEAL WITH BURNING ISSUES SUCH AS SOIL, WATER AND CLIMATE CHANGE. THERE ARE NOW 3.91 BILLION PEOPLE INVOLVED IN SADHGURU’S SAVE SOIL MOVEMENT, MAKING IT THE LARGEST PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT IN THE WORLD”
environmental concerns. He has also spoken at the UN General Assembly, the UNCCD COP15, and other international forums. In addition, he has spoken at institutions such as the World Economic Forum, the World Bank, the House of Lords, the University of Oxford, MIT, Google and Microsoft. The indepth knowledge and incisive approach that Sadhguru brings to current issues and world affairs have made him a constant favourite among his listeners and followers.
GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY
With the goal of reviving the human spirit, reestablishing communities, and preserving the environment, Sadhguru carries out several sizeable human service initiatives through the Isha Foundation. To date, the Foundation has assisted 1,32,000 farmers in growing 62 million trees, provided healthcare to 7 million clients in rural areas, and educated over 10,000 rural children.
The Foundation and its various initiatives have received worldwide recognition, including Observer status at the UN Environment, membership in the IUCN, accreditation by the UNCCD, and UN Climate Change Compendium inclusion.
Sadhguru has undertaken massive ecological initiatives to deal with burning issues such as soil, water and climate change. The visionary humanitarian launched Rally for Rivers in 2017. With 162 million people backing the campaign, it became the most significant environmental movement in the world. Likewise, the Cauvery Calling initiative was launched in 2019 to restore the severely depleted river Cauvery in South India. Over the next 12 years, this movement aims to plant 2.42 billion trees through agroforestry in the river basin.
During his 30,000-kilometre motorcycle journey from Europe to Southern India, Sadhguru inspired citizens, influencers, business and government leaders to prioritise soil revitalisation. There are now 3.91 billion people involved in Sadhguru’s Save Soil movement, making it the largest people’s movement in the world. The movement has so far attracted 81 nations, which is indeed a commendable achievement.
Sadhguru has received numerous prestigious awards for his wisdom and unwavering efforts to save the environment. In 2008, the Padma Vibhushan recipient received the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar for his contributions to the Isha Foundation’s GreenHands Project.
BHARTIYA MAHANTAM VIKAS PURASKAR 2023
Ms. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee was born to the youngest son of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Devadas, and daughter-in-law, Lakshmi Gandhi – the daughter of India’s last Governor-General C Rajagopalachari – on 24 April, 1934. She was the eldest child of her parents, and her childhood was rife with some of the most momentous memories with Mahatma Gandhi. She fondly remembers being a part of his evening prayers in Delhi and even visiting him at the Aga Khan Palace where he was put under house arrest in 1942 for 21 months.
AN UNFORGETTABLE CHILDHOOD
The granddaughter of both Gandhiji and Rajaji, Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee’s childhood was populated by freedom fighters and leaders, who laid the foundation for an independent India. She is 88 now, but there was a time when, as a sprightly little girl growing up in Delhi in the 1940s, she bore witness to World War II, the tumultuous run-up to India’s freedom, the country’s tragic partition, and Gandhiji’s assassination.
Ms. Bhattacharjee spent some quality time with her grandfather and was highly influenced by his efforts to end social disparities, his way of life, and his ideologies. Currently, an Honorable Trustee of Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust (KGNMT), Ms. Bhattacharjee has dedicated her life to working for Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti. She also works for rural women and children with the KGNMT set up by Mahatma Gandhi.
Ms. Bhattacharjee’s husband was eminent economist, the late Dr. Jyoti Prasad Bhattacharjee. Her daughter Sukanya Bharatram is married to Mr. Vivek Bharatram and they have a son Akshar Vidur Bharatram. Tara’s son Vinayak Bhattacharjee is married to Louise Versteegh and they have three daughters — India Ananya, Anoushka Lakshmi, and Andrea Tara.
Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee had the position of Vice-Chairperson of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti for nearly nine years. Gandhi Smriti is the site of the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi for truth and non-violence. She is also involved with Save the Ganga Movement, a Gandhian non-violent movement to protect rivers and the environment of the country.
TARA GANDHI BHATTACHARJEE
COMMITTED TO NON-VIOLENCE
An author, speaker and renowned humanitarian, Ms. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee is known all over the world for promoting peace, solidarity and culture. Belonging to one of the finest lineages in the country, she is the grand-daughter of Mahatma Gandhi and carries a fine legacy of non-violence, peace and harmony with her. She has dedicated her life to Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti by propagating the life-mission and thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi amongst different sections of society
BY SONAM GULATI
WORKING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
For the last three decades, Ms. Bhattacharjee has been working with all devotion for the KGNMT, founded by Mahatma Gandhi in the memory of his wife. The trust is one of the oldest pre-independence, nongovernmental institutions serving the needy women and children of rural India. In 2019, she was appointed the chairperson of the National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi.
In 2016, Ms. Bhattacharjee was decorated with one of France’s top honours, The Order of Arts and Letters for her contribution in promoting peace, solidarity, culture, education and development.
Ms. Bhattacharjee is a leader who stands apart on the principles and values she follows. Just like her grandfather, she is also a staunch supporter of non-violence.
“Non-violence and peace are a celebration of our consciousness to honour life and creation. This celebration of our consciousness should be translated into the objective of a people’s movement for cleaning the human mind of violence and protecting the environment from pollution. This celebration is a universal message that goes beyond the social, political and religious divisions,” she says.
According to her, non-violence means much more than just the lack of violence.
It is also action and introspection. Nonviolence is the courage of truth with love. It is the reawakening of the spirit in harmony with nature and the environment and all forms of life.
She also suggests one to understand Satyagrah, which is the quintessence of Gandhism. In a letter to Lord Hunter, Gandhiji explained Satyagrah to be a movement based entirely upon truth. It replaces every form of violence, direct and indirect, veiled and unveiled and whether in thought, word or deed. Satyagraha is for the strong in spirit. A non-believer or a timid person cannot follow it. And, to follow it, the most important training is mental not physical.
Ms. Bhattacharjee promotes Khadi fiercely. The handspun fabric that was introduced by Mahatma Gandhi is a symbol of growth and creation. “Being a source of bread and beauty to millions in India, a hand-spinning wheel, the Charkha, is also a meditational therapy. The world again needs to get acquainted with the fabulous texture of the handspun fabric and the hand-spinning wheel. I am unfolding the meaning of life and creation on the threads of Charkha. Metaphorically and literally, the subject and the world of khadi are inseparable from my life,” says Tara Gandhi
“BEING A SOURCE OF BREAD AND BEAUTY TO MILLIONS IN INDIA, A HAND-SPINNING WHEEL, THE CHARKHA, IS ALSO A MEDITATIONAL THERAPY. METAPHORICALLY AND LITERALLY, THE SUBJECT AND THE WORLD OF KHADI ARE INSEPARABLE FROM MY LIFE, SHE SAYS”
Bhattacharjee.
She has penned down some vivid and inspirational moments from her childhood in her book – Reflections of an Extraordinary Era that she published a few years ago. The book is an inspirational and vivid behindthe-scenes biography of the Gandhi family and the commotion of India’s independence. In the book, the author recollects Bapu’s evening prayers in Delhi, visiting him at the Aga Khan Palace, and later meeting him in Shimla during her school break. Inspiring and heart-warming, the book presents small but priceless memories of Gandhiji’s illustrious life, from Satyagrah to his efforts to end social disparities at Harijan Ashram, kindness towards those visiting him for advice, and his life as a family man.
LEADING A NO-FUSS LIFESTYLE
To be an inspirational leader, one has to be grounded and in touch with their inner self all the time. Ms. Bhattacharjee is very clear on how she wants to spend her time and what she wants to give attention to. Her lifestyle is truly inspiring and one can learn a thing or two about mindful living from her.
She gives a lot of importance to a good night’s sleep. “It helps you to be energetic and positive in the morning,” she says. As soon as she wakes up, she avoids any gadgets or even the newspaper. She says that it is best to avoid any negative or chaotic thoughts to enter your mind first thing in the morning. Instead, she starts her day with some positive affirmations and setting the tone for the day.
She also likes to call an old friend in the morning to get some positive vibes through a good conversation. “Finish difficult tasks in the morning and give proper nourishment to your body every day,” she adds.
As for her tips for leading a mindful life, all she has to say is that one should keep searching for peace of mind. Never deplete your energy with negative thoughts and give the mind lots of uncluttered moments. “A mind free of fear, free of clutter is an energetic mind,” she underlines.
As a life lesson and people who worship Mahatma Gandhi, Ms. Bhattacharjee always says that one should keep Gandhiji in their conscience. She urges people to read his writings to understand him best and then follow his principles. She is hopeful in today’s youth, who question the norm and search for Gandhian thoughts.
Dr. J. C. Chaudhry is a pioneer who has set benchmarks in the spheres of entrepreneurship and leadership. His work is immensely inspiring and gives everyone a lesson in perseverance, dedication, and patience. Dr. Chaudhry is the man behind one of India’s largest and most successful test preparatory institute –Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL). After taking it to an absolute pinnacle of success, he sold it to Byju’s last year and is now the Chairman of the entity. He is also a numerologist with an experience of almost 4 decades. Numerology has been a long standing passion for him and in 2018, he decided to start yet another journey. Dr. Chaudhry established Chaudhry Nummero Pvt. Ltd. (CNPL) to give his passion a very meaningful turn. He truly believes that numbers rule our life and favorable numbers attract good luck and success. He set up CNPL to spread this awareness amongst the people and help people achieve the best in their life with the wisdom of Numerology. He has been following his passion for Numerology for a long time but with CNPL he made sure that he shares that skill with others and alleviates people’s problems. He is one of the most famous Numerologists in India.
Journey of a lifetime
Today, Aakash is a name synonymous with the most premium and successful coaching institute in India. It is a brand known for delivering focused and quality coaching and is a leader in the whole paradigm shift that happened in India when it comes to competitive exam coaching. It is all down to Dr. Chaudhry’s persistent hard work and vision that he had for Aakash. Born in 1949 in a small town of Haryana called Hathin, Dr. Chaudhry always dreamt big. His humble beginnings only strengthened his desire to do something grand in life. He focused hard on his studies and completed his Master’s degree in Science (Botany) from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science(BITS), Pilani, Rajasthan in 1972.Soon after completing his studies, he started his professional journey as a teacher at Vaish College, in Bhiwani, Haryana. He taught at the college from 197273 and then he moved to New Delhi where he taught at the Hansraj Model School. He then moved to Delhi Administration schools where he became the Principal through the UPSC in 1993. It was during his journey as a teacher that he realized that there was a huge gap in the coaching segment in the country. At the time, coaching centres were not at all known
dr. J.C. Chaudhry
Living L ife on his own terms
A man of immense talent and an enviable vision, Dr. J.C. Chaudhry is a leader who is known all over the world for his achievements. The man behind Aakash Educational Services and one of the most renowned numerologists in India –Dr. Chaudhry’s tale is of perseverance, grit, and determination. Dr. Chaudhry is one of the most prominent names in the education industry and has been an inspiration to many. On to his second successful innings as an entrepreneur, he is all set to shatter the barriers once again
BY Sonam Gulati
in India and it was an extremely unorganized sector. Dr. Chaudhry saw it as an opportunity to carve his niche and started Aakash in his house with just 12students. In his first batch only, 7 out of 12 students cleared the tests and word spread quickly about his small setup. Rest as they say is history.
the next big leap
Dr. Chaudhry has always been known for his commitment to teaching and being a strong pillar of strength for students all across the country. His endeavors all through his life have been to support students who have dreams in their eyes. With more than 33 years of operational experience, he sets an excellent example of how nothing is impossible if you keep working sincerely for it. A motivational speaker, philanthropist, educationist, and powerful orator; he dons many hats and each with equal panache. Next to teaching, he has always had another passion too. He has been interested in Numerology for quite a lot of years. He is intrigued by how numbers and human life are enigmatically interconnected and has always been learning more about it. A few years back he decided that he wants to take it up to a bigger level and spread this knowledge and awareness. For most establishing a giant like Aakash and keeping it consistently on the top for decades is the dream run. But for him, the journey started
again when he started CNPL and it took the same trajectory of persistence, success, and reaching the highest pinnacle. This is evident in the fact that Dr. Chaudhry won the 1st-ever Guinness World Record in Numerology and the first world record of 2022. Dr. Chaudhry also has been associated with the fields of Vastu Shastra, Gems and Stones, Nature, and Mudras. He is a well-renowned orator as well as writer. He has authored 2 books on numerology - “Advanced Numerology” & “Prractical Numerology” and 2 books on Vastu - “Fundamentals of Vastu” and “ABC of Vastu Shastra”. His other publications include ‘You and Your Gems’, ‘Meditation’, ‘Chakras’, ‘iThink’, ‘Success A few steps away’, ‘Rungs of the Ladder’, ‘Nature-The Best Cure’ and ‘Mudra-Healthy Life at your Fingertips’. He is a passionate leader who works not only for himself but for everyone associated with him. He aims to take everyone along the path to success. He is a firm believer of Karma and that hard work will bear fruits sooner or later. “I believe in taking quick, instinctive decisions. It is better to cut the cord in life than to endure pain,” Dr. Chaudhry says.
awards and recognition
Dr. Chaudhry’s entrepreneurial prowess and business acumen have been recognized far and wide. He has been presented with many awards to honor his diligent work and efforts.
“ TO REALIZE HIS DREAM OF PUTTING NUMEROLOGY ON THE GLOBAL MAP, HE HAS ESTABLISHED THE “INTERNATIONAL NUMEROLOGY FORUM”–A PLATFORM TO CONNECT NUMEROLOGISTS WORLDWIDE. HE IS ALSO NOW PLANNING TO OPEN AN INSTITUTE “THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF NUMEROLOGY(IIN)””
He was awarded the most prestigious ‘Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Memorial National Teachers’ Award in 2002 for the services rendered to schools and the community. Some other notable awards include the ‘Person of the Year Award 2015-16’ by AsiaOne at Abu Dhabi; ‘Person of the Year Award and Life Time Achievement’ at India-UAE Business and Social Forum IN 2017; key Note Speaker on ‘Role of Numerology in business growth and personal life’ at the Indo- European Investors Meet 2018 at St. James Court, Taj Hotel, London; ‘Global Education Leaders Award’ for Shaping the Dreams of Millions of Medical & Engineering Aspirants at IndiaUAE Partnership Summit (IUPS) 2018 held at Atlantis, the Palm, Dubai; ‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award’ by Deshabhimani Charitable Society in October 2019 for his outstanding contribution in the field of Education, Healthcare, Motivational Speech & Writing. His Guinness World Record in Numerology which had the most viewers on his first YouTube Live Session was the first such Guinness World Record. The lessons that can be learned from Dr. Chaudhry range from perseverance to staying relevant through different phases. He ensured that his first venture Aakash stayed relevant throughout the entire time he was at the helm. His second innings as an entrepreneur through CNPL has also been true to this trait. Finding his growth as a renowned Numerologist in a country like India where there is no dearth of astrologers, numerologists and the likes is no easy feat. Dr. Chaudhry is a truly passionate man who knows how to make dreams a reality. “My dream is to put Numerology on the global map.”To realize this dream, Dr. Chaudhry has established the International Numerology Forum (INF) a platform to connect numerologists worldwide. He is also now planning to open an institute –the Indian Institute of Numerology (IIN), which will be an institute of international standards and will produce the world’s finest numerologists. His venture ‘Chaudhry Nummero’ is also undergoing massive global expansion. They have opened the first branch in Dubai and several branches are in the pipeline including NewYork, London, and Australia. Dr. Chaudhry is truly a visionary who has worked tirelessly to transform the world around him. He has taken it upon himself to share the valuable lessons that he has learned all through his life as an academician, entrepreneur, and numerologist to guide the younger generation towards success and empowerment.
Aleader’s brilliant nature and skills are not built in a day. They are the results of a long chain of learnings and experiences. For Ajay Harinath Singh, it started in his childhood. Born in 1980 to a successful business family that dealt with industries like shipping, agriculture, and finance, Mr. Singh was motivated by the entrepreneurial environment at home. He knew he would have a business of his own someday.
With that dream, he completed his education. He pursued graduation from the KM Doongursee College in Dadar, Mumbai, and then moved to London to complete his master’s. Upon getting his postgraduate degree, Mr. Singh returned to India.
Going against people’s expectations, he did not join his family business. Instead, he worked with various businesses, including Kraftos London, Cobra plc, MetLife Insurance, Aviva Life Insurance, and Bharti Axa Life Insurance to learn on his own and develop a personal perception of the industry. After spending a few years in the business world, he joined his family business. What followed was a successful streak of exceptional business strategies and soaring growth graphs. Mr. Singh realised that he was ready to begin his own empire. This was when the Darwin Platform Group was born.
BUILDING AN EMPIRE
Mr. Singh’s life transformed drastically in 2010. He established Darwin Platform Group, taking 96% of the ownership from his family. This made his family rank amongst the wealthiest families in India. Mr. Singh worked tirelessly to launch new verticals to meet the growing needs of the Indian market.
Over the years, the entrepreneur founded several companies in the field of pharmaceuticals, finance, logistics, mining, realty, information technology, entertainment, and education. Today, his conglomerate has branches across the globe. The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Russia, Germany, Hong Kong, the US. China, and the UAE are only some of the places where he has marked his presence.
Under the Darwin Platform Group, Mr. Singh has also been associated with selling the Sukhoi 30 and MIG aircraft from Russia to other countries. Not just this, he also owns an oil rig and a refinery in East Europe. He is now ready to expand his oil business in Russia. The serial entrepreneur is also in the infrastructure and banking business in
AJAY HARINATH SINGH
A CHAMPION ENTREPRENEUR
Determined, hardworking, compassionate, and charming – the list of adjectives is endless when someone describes the personality of Ajay Harinath Singh. This dynamic Chairman and Managing Director of Darwin Platform Group of Companies (DPGC) is a perfect example of the new-age entrepreneur. The man founded DPGC in 2010 and within a decade built a meteoric pillar of success with his astute business skills.To his credit is a billion-dollar empire operating in multiple business verticals impacting millions of lives globally
BY SONAM GULATI
the Sultanate of Oman. Currently, it has a presence in 11 countries with a net worth of ₹41,000 crore. and is completely debt-free. With all such booming ventures under his aegis, it is not long when Darwin Platform Group will emerge as a top leader across industries on a global level.
AMBITIOUS
YET COMPASSIONATE
The growth of Darwin Platform Group did not stop even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Mr. Singh announced an expansion plan in the organisation’s 27 different ventures — from mining, airline, shipping, farming, finance to winery and mass media.
The reason behind this expansion is an excellent example of Mr. Singh’s ambitious yet compassionate nature. Looking at the rise in employment in India during the pandemic, he decided to expand the businesses to provide employment opportunities to at least 1.5 lakh people. So far, he has hired over 34,000 people from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Mr. Singh believes that the greatest asset for any organisation is its employees when they are given the chance to grow. With this philosophy, he makes sure each and every person working or partnering with Darwin Platform Group is encouraged to share one’s thoughts and ideas. They are also offered a
chance to give creative inputs. He also gives the credit of his success to the determination and dedication of the teams of Darwin Platform. These teams have helped the Group generate long-term value for its clients.
THE HUMANITARIAN SIDE
Compassion is one thing and going beyond the norm is what makes this enigmatic magnate different from others. Charity matters a lot for Mr. Singh and this is why he has contributed lavishly to society’s upliftment. He is a known philanthropist in India and abroad.
Mr. Singh is actively involved in the Group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in the fields of education, food, and healthcare. He ensures that students from lower sections of society get access to quality education not just at primary level, but also till higher education. In fact, he donated $2 million to establish a curriculum for Small Business Management at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, US. He has also donated an additional $500,000 to set up a scholarship fund for minority students who want to enter science or engineering schools at the university.
In addition to CSR, Mr. Singh has founded the Ajay Harinath Singh Foundation (AHSF) to provide food to the homeless and needy. He has also opened kitchens in London (UK) and
“MR. SINGH HAS FOUNDED THE AJAY HARINATH SINGH FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE FOOD TO THE HOMELESS AND NEEDY. SO FAR, HE HAS OPENED KITCHENS IN LONDON (UK) AND PHILADELPHIA (US) FOR PROVIDING VEGETARIAN MEALS TO THE POOR AND HOMELESS”
Philadelphia (US) for providing vegetarian meals to the poor and homeless.
In the field of healthcare, Mr. Singh has successfully built low-cost hospitals in Latur (Maharashtra) and Bhuj (Gujarat). The hospitals are built to meet the medical needs of low-income families in the areas while focusing on quality and affordability.
GOLDEN FEATHERS IN CAP
Hard work and social contribution never goes unnoticed, especially when the individual has constantly strived to bring excellence in everything one does. The success and determination of Ajay Harinath Singh have been appreciated by several organisations and even the Government of India.
Over the years, he has been felicitated with numerous awards at national and international levels. Some of the prestigious awards are the “Mid-Day Iconic Showbiz Role Model Entrepreneur Award”, “The Times Power Men Award”, “Global Excellence Award”, “Entrepreneur of the Decade”, “Bharat Gaurav Award”, and “Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Prerna Samman Award”.
For his exemplary social welfare initiatives and philanthropic work, Mr. Singh was named the “Champions of Change” by Interactive Forum on Indian Economy (IFIE) in 2019. The award ceremony was conducted at the former Indian President Dr. Pranab Mukherjee’s residence and the award by presented by him.
EYES ON THE FUTURE
Being an entrepreneur, Mr. Singh understands that time changes more quickly than one anticipates. Thus, he always remains a step ahead of his competitors. Currently, he is working on a mega expansion plan for the Darwin Platform Group. As per sources, he has allocated a huge sum of Rs. 7,000 crore to expand its footprint in retail, agri-business, healthcare, and energy sectors.
Mr. Singh also has two film production houses that offer finance for the entertainment industry and is now planning to spread the footprint in China, Korea, Japan, Czech Republic, and Georgia. In addition, he is pursuing his interest in politics. By providing jobs and platforms to thousands of people, he is creating wealth for India that will make the country a stronger and more independent economy. Moreover, his strategic planning, vision and international relations make him a perfect young leader who can spearhead the country to become a top economy.
Born and raised in the village of Seohara in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh (India), Dr. Vishwajeet Rana earned an MBA from Ohio University before receiving an MS and PhD from Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. The well-versed leader has a professional background in finance as well as a steadfast belief in the importance of education.
Though he began his career as an investment banker, his inclination towards education led him to explore uncharted territories and achieve great success. Prior to moving to England in April 2009 to begin his journey as a social entrepreneur, Dr. Rana worked for HSBC in New York as the Assistant Vice President.
While working at HSBC’s New York office, Dr. Rana executed several complex crossborder equity and debt investments and financing transactions in the UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Hong Kong.
A PASSIONATE EDUCATOR
As a young man, Dr. Rana was fascinated by the transforming power of education, which led him to search for ways to impact marginalised communities positively. He became personally involved in the education sector in 2008 when he founded the Lokmani Education Trust. This active charity runs two higher education institutes in India, dedicated to providing education to girls from poor and traditionally conservative areas.
As an educator, Dr. Rana is passionate about analysing different global education models and applying them to unlock students’ potential. In 2021, he founded GEDU, a GBP 100 million company, with a portfolio of the Global Banking School, the largest non-degree awarding higher education institution on the Office for Students (OFS) register in the United Kingdom, campuses in India (Lokmani. com), Dubai (GBS.ac.ae), and Malta (GBSplus.com). GEDU is also involved in apprenticeships and language schools (englishpath.com).
The belief and loyalty that Dr. Rana has for the United Kingdom have inspired a keen desire to strengthen the country’s skills and assist its efforts to develop and harness diversity. In light of the early signs of making a positive social impact, he saw the possibilities of providing higher education in the country in a similar fashion. Even though the context was different, he saw BHARTIYA MAHANTAM VIKAS PURASKAR 2023
DR. VISHWAJEET RANA
ON A NOBLE MISSION
Dr. Vishwajeet Rana (MBA, MS, PhD) is a pioneering social entrepreneur led by a passion for serving society. The seasoned investment banker is the Founder of Global Education Holding Group (GEDU), a leading provider of learning programmes for corporations, customers or individuals seeking specific knowledge in banking, investment, and other fields. Dr. Rana’s ideas and leadership are an inspiration to the younger generation. Over the years, he has shown that nothing is impossible to achieve in this world if you have the zeal and fervour to pursue it
BY MONALISA BISWAS
parallels between the work he had initiated in India, namely forgotten and marginalised communities underserved by education.
THE GIANT LEAP
The enormous practical benefits of educating people in those communities led the leader to identify areas of deprivation to provide courses in healthcare and business that were of particular interest to him. Consequently, he established the Global Banking School (GBS), which currently has eight campuses across the UK, from Leeds to London.
Due to his relentless efforts, the GBS is growing by leaps and bounds, with over 5,000 new undergraduate students enrolling in 2021 alone. The school has attracted a high number of students through recommendation and reputation, with the National Student Survey acclaiming GBS 93% for overall satisfaction in 2021 — an impressive figure in the COVID-19 era.
With its original focus on finance and business, the school has now expanded its offerings to include healthcare training, which is a significant and much-needed contribution to the community.
Speaking about the uniqueness of GBS, Dr. Rana says, “One of the most important facts about GBS is that more than 90% of its
students come from BAME communities, a unique demographic that is not targeted by quotas, but by focusing on those who have never had the opportunity or background to pursue higher education.”
In addition, the school, under his stellar leadership, has developed innovative partnerships with other reputed universities in the UK to provide its students with even more excellent opportunities for gaining better exposure and expanding their horizons.
In 2021, Dr. Vishwajeet Rana also opened a fully equipped GBS campus at Dubai’s Knowledge Park considering the UAE’s potential as an international education hub. Besides helping learners achieve their career goals, it offers a variety of industry-relevant courses, including Higher Diplomas in Business Management, Digital Technology, Construction Management, and much more, to prepare them for 21stcentury digitally enabled jobs.
A VISIONARY
Dr. Rana is a true visionary with a strategic insight and an unwavering belief in his noble mission. His keen interest in education has been ignited both by his own research and observation of its transformative effects. He asserts, “I’ve been particularly struck
“SUCCESS IS ALL ABOUT HAVING FAITH IN WHAT YOU BELIEVE. WHENEVER YOU SEE POTENTIAL IN SOMETHING, GO FOR IT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON EVERY STEP YOU TAKE, AND SUCCESS IS SURE TO FOLLOW. ONE SHOULD WORK HARD, INVEST BEST EFFORTS AND LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST”
by the social benefits of education that stretch beyond the individual, and benefits the community, family and, eventually, the entire country.”
With GBS, he has enabled every individual to share their skills and learn in numerous unique ways. Consequently, he has assisted deprived communities gain a true sense of the empowerment by helping them raise their collective abilities and expectations.
Dr. Rana vehemently believes that the UK should benefit from three specific drivers at the heart of a GBS’ mission and vision — the belief and confidence to stay competitive, a crucial knowledge of the fundamental dynamics behind the economy or healthcare, and, finally, comprehension of leadership principles.
HIS SUCCESS MANTRA
Dr. Rana’s wisdom, achievements and contributions have significantly influenced the lives of a lot of people. According to him, success is all about having faith in what you believe. He says, “Whenever you see potential in something, go for it. However, it is important to keep a close eye on every step you take, and success is sure to follow.”
The humble leader also believes that one should work hard, invest best efforts in every endeavour one undertakes, and live life to the fullest. These beliefs help him sleep peacefully at night and instil a new zeal each day.
EMPOWERING SOCIETY
Dr. Rana’s entrepreneurial pursuit is driven by a desire to give back to the community. As a passionate supporter of charitable activities, he plays a proactive role in promoting literacy, numeracy and project management in Commonwealth countries. Over 20,000 students have gained access to higher education through his work across the UK and globally, which is indeed a commendable effort.
Aside from the GBS, Dr. Vishwajeet Rana is also interested in various other areas. He is passionate about improving UK–India relationship. He has also been a member of the UK–India Business Council for a long time.
The dynamic leader is also an avid sports fan. He enjoys playing golf and squash when not working. Mentoring talented individuals and public speaking are also among his passions.
Aman studied BIT-Computer Science, Software Development, and Information Technology at Delhi University. In 2007, he earned an MBA from IIT Kharagpur. In 2011, he attended Harvard Business School’s Emerging Leaders Program. The experienced leader began his career in January 2004 as Technical StaffLead at HCL Technologies. He worked for HCL America for six years and five months, rising through various roles. Additionally, he served as McGraw-Hill’s Chief Product Officer and Senior Vice President of Product Development from 2013-14.
Aman joined Baker & Taylor as Executive Vice President-Software Products, Services, and PK12 EdTech in June 2014. He was EVPSales, Product Management, Services, and Technology Operations from December 2017 to May 2019. From June 2019 to November 2021, the leader served as Executive Vice President and General Manager. Currently, he is serving as the President and CEO of the company. Under his stewardship, Baker & Taylor launched its own Paw Prints Publishing in 2022, bringing physical and ebooks to its youngest readers.
Speaking about his mission, Aman says, “My mission is to share inspirational and enlightening stories with children and teens from all walks of life, with a particular emphasis on work featuring underrepresented children.” He also penned the first book in the series, titled Jeet and Fudge–the story of a young Sikh boy named Jeet and his adorable side-kick chocolate labradoodle. The book is about a young Sikh boy and his dog. For Aman, it is reminiscent of his childhood and his pet dog.
A goal-driven leader, Aman aims to transform the company selling books since 1828 into a genuine community outcomes provider. His short-term goal is to enhance Baker & Taylor’s operational efficiency in the post-pandemic era. His long-term vision is to become the leader in library innovation. Besides physical book distribution, which is his company’s core business, he plans to introduce complementary services such as digital content distribution, predictive analytics and software, and sustainable supply chains in the long run.
FACING CHALLENGES HEAD ON
In the wake of COVID-19, many businesses worldwide faced unprecedented challenges. With 95% of libraries closed nationwide, Baker & Taylor, too, had to face a challenging
MAKING SPARKS FLY
Mr. Amandeep Kochar, the CEO and President of Baker & Taylor is a leader par excellence and a role model for everyone. Besides managing global product engineering for Baker & Taylor, he is also responsible for international operations. In addition to directing global sales, supply chain, technology, partnership strategy, and publisher relations, he is also responsible for overseeing the P&L. A seasoned leader, Aman is well-versed with every industry element. Values, vision, and commitment have always been the cornerstone of his life BY
MONALISA BISWAS
AMANDEEP KOCHAR situation.
As book orders remained stagnant, there was concern over how to maintain a workforce in Charlotte and throughout the country. However, Aman remained optimistic and faced the situation boldly. He realised this was not an opportunity for layoffs but innovation. Engaging the staff in creating DEI was the next step in his plan. It allowed employees to retain their positions in Charlotte and enabled Charlotte Libraries and librarians to enhance engagement by adding diverse books efficiently.
A THOUGHT LEADER
Aman takes a proactive role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in libraries and at work. As a thought leader, he focuses a lot on representation and intersectionality. He is not someone who simply talks about diversity; he develops technology that allows cities worldwide to provide adults and children with education, knowledge, and hope. Furthermore, he provides programming to librarians worldwide and spearheads the formation of internal committees such as the Diversity Council and author webinars.
As a result of the industry veteran’s leadership, Baker & Taylor launched a new DEI solution in 2021 that offers public libraries a way to discover, archive, and
manage diversity-related books across print and digital formats. Using this technology, librarians can scan library catalogues and identify gaps in representation. It also allows them to order titles that address overlooked topics. Among Aman’s favourite books is Kim Scott’s Radical Candor. The principles mentioned in the book serve as a guide to his leadership, and he encourages his team to do the same. Moreover, he promotes a culture of innovation where everyone in the organisation feels comfortable failing forward. Finally, he approaches everything with kindness and grit.
AN ADVOCATE OF READING
Aman aspires to transform lives and society by encouraging the habit of reading. Besides championing reading, the visionary promotes diversity, especially in children’s books. He firmly believes that variety, especially in children’s books, can transform our communities for the better. He says, “Young readers can more easily identify with the characters in their stories because of the diversity in the library’s shelf.” He adds, “Reading also enables us to gain insight into the lives of people we may not fully understand, thus fostering empathy and kindness.” Aman promotes these ideas in his weekly LinkedIn videos, at speaking engagements, and on the
“UNDER AMAN’S LEADERSHIP, THE COMPANY FOCUSES ON CSR INITIATIVES RANGING FROM INTERNAL DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES TO ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES. HE DIRECTED THE LAUNCH OF THE SUSTAINABLE SHELVES PROGRAM DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK”
boards on which he sits.
RACKING UP ACCOLADES
Aman’s leadership skills have earned him several awards and accolades, including EdTech Digest 2021 Global Leader Award; Charlotte Business Journal 40 under 40 Award; Publishers Weekly Notable People 2021; and Diversity MBA Magazine’s Top 100 leaders under 50.
Reinventing Baker & Taylor as the owneroperator has been Aman’s career high point. Taking a 194-year-old company and building on the culture so it thrives for the next 200 years is a commendable task. Additionally, he credits his success to his team members as a team player. He claims, “It is an incredible accomplishment to have our entire company of 1400+ team members focused on assisting our library partners in improving outcomes in their communities. We did it by fostering innovation, refusing to recognise the status quo, and disrupting the way libraries have traditionally been served.”
A BENEVOLENT LEADER
Aman’s roles in life revolve around serving those around him in the best capacity possible. He never hesitates to fight for the marginalised sections. Fighting for others’ rights gives him the purpose to live. As he puts it, having a clear goal to focus on and a set of priorities to guide your activities makes you successful. Under his leadership, the company focuses on CSR initiatives ranging from internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to ecologically sustainable practices.
He directed the company’s launch of the Sustainable Shelves Program during the COVID-19 outbreak. He and his team knew that when libraries reopened, they would have to deal with older volumes that needed to be eliminated to create room for new books. He devised an automated approach that allowed libraries to return their used materials to the company so that the latter could either resell the books to another library or dispose of them sustainably.
He also developed an award-winning, industry-leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Analysis programme that allows a library to assess where its existing collection stands with industry-accepted topics. It also evaluates the representation of diverse communities in its print and digital collections and helps make material recommendations to build a diverse selection.
Mr. Agarwal graduated from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute (now Harcourt Butler Technical University), Kanpur, with a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemistry. With his entrepreneurship skills, he later led the Indian steel industry and became a board member of Kamdhenu Limited.
The Kamdhenu Group’s current reputation in the Indian steel and infrastructure market has been built through Sunil’s strong marketing network.
His leadership, dedication and continuous hard work has made the Kamdhenu Group a top Indian brand that can boast of an exceptional marketing strategy. Further, he has also helped the group develop a panIndian presence under his stewardship. He has utilised his keen understanding of market dynamics to chart the company’s growth within the Indian steel industry.
A WELL-VERSED LEADER
The steel industry has been Mr. Agarwal’s forte for over 30 years in both production and commerce. With this wealth of knowledge, he develops effective marketing strategies to fortify the company’s presence in the industry. In the words of the marketing genius, “Marketing is an integral part of a business because it not only builds brand awareness and sales, but also strengthens relationships with stakeholders, distributors, and retailers.”
The magnanimous success Kamdhenu has today is largely attributed to Mr. Agarwal’s analytical and experimental skills. Among his biggest achievements at the Group was his direct involvement in expanding the brand through franchisee alliances with and against the regional steel industry’s competitors.
With a flair for marketing, the strategic leader envisioned and implemented the franchise model to accelerate the exponential growth of the Kamdhenu brand, which was a brilliant achievement.
As a result of his vision, timely decisions, and relentless efforts, the company has acquired more than 80 franchise partners and emerged as a dominant player in the Indian steel market.
In addition to strengthening the franchisee model, Mr. Agarwal has helped the company overcome impending challenges and capitalise on opportunities along the way. With his flexible approach to
SUNIL KUMAR AGARWAL
THE MARKETING WIZARD
Mr. Sunil Kumar Agarwal, Director, Kamdhenu Group – a renowned Indian company specialised in manufacturing, marketing, branding and distribution of steel, TMT bars and structural steel and decorative paint is a seasoned entrepreneur who has taken Kamdhenu Group to a whole new level of glory. The contributions he has made to the group and the steel industry at large make him a highly regarded industry figure. With his operational experience, he has built several high-performing businesses from the ground up over the years
BY SONAM GULATI
changes in the domestic market and keen awareness of market trends, he has helped the company establish a robust foothold.
A VISIONARY
Mr. Agarwal is considered one of the most respected names in the steel industry because of his ingenuity in innovative research and development. Through his vision and execution, Kamdhenu became India’s largest manufacturer of TMT bars. He paved way to improve the quality of steel being produced in each unit by upgrading the plants within them. As an innovator and a believer in the latest technology, Mr. Agarwal believes in effective processes and improved parameters for improved production.
Kamdhenu Group’s growth owes much to Mr. Agarwal’s relentless efforts. His keen understanding of the Indian steel market has led him to mobilise the performing steel products manufacturing units across the country into joining forces with the Kamdhenu Group in order to sustain the growth of the company.
Strategising the expansion of Kamdhenu brand through franchisee alliance with the competent companies in the regional steel market helped the Group gain an enormous competitive edge in the steel industry.
ON A EXPANSION SPREE
Mr. Agarwal also oversees the Expansion Division of the company, thereby contributing significantly in identifying and targeting companies that manufacture TMT bars, structural steel, binding wires and colour-coated sheets. and plywood.
Having gained a reputation for maximising opportunities along the way by adapting to changing domestic circumstances, Mr. Agarwal has been guiding the company very well. As a result of his knowledge of market trends, he led the company through impending challenges, and it has grown to new and far-reaching heights.
The commitment he has shown to the steel industry, as well as his commitment to innovative practices and new technologies, has resulted in upgrading the factories within these steel manufacturing units, enabling them to manufacture steel in the best possible way while maintaining international steel standards.
A LEADER PAR EXCELLENCE
Mr. Agarwal exhibits the qualities of a true leader who doesn’t follow the beaten path. He is not afraid to veer from the beaten track and carve out his own path. He is someone who constantly motivates people around him and gives them the confidence
“AS A RESULT OF MR. AGARWAL’S VISION, TIMELY DECISIONS, AND RELENTLESS EFFORTS, THE KAMDHENU GROUP HAS ACQUIRED MORE THAN 80 FRANCHISE PARTNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND EMERGED AS A DOMINANT PLAYER IN THE INDIAN STEEL MARKET”
to try new things.
Many aspiring entrepreneurs and trailblazers are now following his outstanding contribution to the steel industry and beyond. Furthermore, it is under his leadership that the brand Kamadhenu is growing every day to new heights, gaining national and international acclaim.
SERVICE TO SOCIETY
Besides bringing about a meaningful change through its products and services, Mr. Agarwal has formulated a dedicated corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy at the company to give back to society. He believes that the corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy must be to ensure socio-economic development of the community through different participatory and need-based initiatives. For this to happen, the initiatives must be in the best interest of the poor and deprived sections of society so as to help them become selfreliant and build a better tomorrow for themselves.
Today, Kamdhenu Group’s community development initiatives are primarily in the field of education and health management. These initiatives are driven through a dedicated CSR wing of the company, Kamdhenu Jeevan Dhara, which plays a significant role in adding value to the lives of the underprivileged sections of society.
The other prime area of work of the wing is environment protection. To deliver to this objective, Mr. Agarwal has launched an interesting programme involving the company’s dealers. The Green India initiative of the company mandates all its 11,500 dealers and distributors to plant at least five saplings each year and nurture them to complete growth.
Mr. Agarwal sets environmental sustainability as a priority, and so, the company takes special care to avoid any damage to the environment. Effective steps are taken to avoid industrial discharge and unhealthy ways of residue or garbage disposal.
Being a conscientious corporate, the company also actively participates in the government projects and schemes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It also conducts special programmes such as promotion of blood donation and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
AZADI KA AMRIT KAAL: TOWARDS A NEW INDIA
The Golden Era Begins
In the 76th year of its Independence, India stands proudly as the Fifth biggest economy of the world and the most promising economy set to grow for years. The country that accounted for about a quarter of the global gross domestic product in the 18th century has become one of the drivers of global economic growth in the 21st century, underlining the immense potential it holds. The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi envisions the next 25 crucial years – till the 100 years of India’s independence from the colonial rule – to be a golden period of India’s growth, and when it should aim to become a developed nation. He has named this period Amrit Kaal, a term from Vedic astrology that describes the critical time slot available to all for achieving the highest human potential. To Prime Minister Modi, this era of growth not only promises innumerable opportunities of development and empowerment to 1.3 billion Indians, but also to every human worldwide
BY JYOTI VERMA AND RICHA SANG
The Prime Minister, in his address on India’s 75th Independence Day on August 15, 2021, unveiled a national blueprint for Amrit Kaal. The plan focuses on limited State interference in the everyday life of citizens; empowering small farmers and rural economy; energy independence with programmes such as National Hydrogen Mission; a boost to manufacturing, technology, infrastructure and start-ups; employment generation for the youth with a Rs.100 lakh crore PM GatiShakti National Master Plan; equality for women and vulnerable sections of society; and balanced local development with a focus on Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and the Northeast.
Shri Narendra Modi believes that all of the said objectives are possible with citizens’ resolve and strength with which the country accomplished freedom in 1947, and crossed the milestones of becoming open defecation free and accomplishing 200 crore COVID-19 vaccinations in recent years. In the third article in our series on India’s glorious 75 years of independence, we move on from Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to enter the Amrit Kaal –ushering in of a new era of prosperity and equity by lowering social barriers and transforming lives with knowledge, competence, technology, inclusion, infrastructure and sustainability. With the first year of the Amrit Kaal also being the time when India stands as the only economic oasis amid global slowdown, year 2023 is when the world will observe the key moves of the country and tap the many opportunities these moves open for the nations across the globe
“IN RECENT DAYS, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY HAS SUCCESSFULLY ADVANCED INDIA’S FOOD SAFETY NET TO 800 MILLION INDIANS. MORE THAN $300 BILLION OF BENEFITS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED DIGITALLY; 400 MILLION PEOPLE GET FOOD REGULARLY”
Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of india
“A few months back our country completed 75 years of Independence and entered the Amrit Kaal, the period of golden centenary of Independence and making of a developed India. In the last nine years of the government’s term, people witnessed many positive changes. The country is on the rise, and it is when the citizens, especially the youth should rightfully take pride in its technological achievements, economic development and welfare initiatives. They should practise and follow Fundamental Duties, while exercising their Fundamental Rights. India has become the fifth largest economy, and will be the third largest economy before the end of the decade. India looks up to its citizens, depends on them and wants them to become the catalyst of change in the journey towards a developed India”
An incredible story of human civilisation, growth, and potential for centuries, India, in the 18th century, accounted for about a quarter of the global GDP. It took India 60 years since its Independence to become a one trillion-dollar economy, but the country added the next trillion dollars in seven years only. The third trillion was added in the next five years in 2019. The growing momentum could help India add on average $1 trillion to its economy every two years for the next 14-15 years. According to a report by British consultancy, Centre for Economics and Business Research, India will become a $10 trillion economy by 2035.
However, the glorious journey of India cannot only be mapped in trillions of dollars. It must be mapped in terms of lives impacted and empowered during this journey. The country’s development rests on an expansive digital public infrastructure designed to promote that no one is left behind. From the success of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana – which completed eight years in 2022 and made a material difference to financial inclusion, from covering 17.9 crore households in August 2015 to 46.25 crore households in August 2022 – to the recent COVID-19 vaccinations, India has proved that technology can not only be a stabilising factor in a changing world, but also a great equaliser.
“In recent days, digital technology has successfully advanced India’s food safety net to 800 million Indians. More than $300 billion of benefits have been distributed digitally; 400 million people get food regularly; and the country has administered over 2 billion vaccinations,” shared Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in his speech at India@75 Showcasing India-UN Partnership in Action in New York on September 24, 2022.
With landmarks like these, India aims to move ahead on a journey of transformation not only for its people and economy, but for the whole world. By 2047, the country dreams of digitising its remotest villages and landing on the moon, perhaps even digitising it, added the External Affairs Minister.
PANCH PRAN
In his 76th Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister spelt out the five pledges for Amrit Kaal. Called Panch Pran, these are a resolution for Viksit Bharat (Developed India). The goals are to accomplish the dream of Developed India, remove any trace of colonial mindset, take pride in our legacy, stay united, and fulfill the duties of citizens.
Primarily, the Government of India plans to improve the lives of Indian citizens, lessen the rural-urban divide, reduce its interference in people’s lives, and welcome the latest technologies in the run up to 2047. Delivering the first budget of the Amrit Kaal, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2023, shared the seven guiding priorities for the government during the period. Named Saptarishi, the seven priorities — inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, green growth, youth power, and financial sector — complement each other, she said.
The Union Finance Minister highlighted that the Centre’s vision for the Amrit Kaal includes a technologydriven and knowledge-based economy with strong public finances and a robust financial sector, and to achieve this, Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) through Sabka Saath Sabka Prayas is essential. The economic agenda for achieving this vision would focus on three priorities: facilitating ample opportunities for citizens, especially the youth, to fulfil their aspirations; providing strong impetus to growth and job creation; and strengthening macro-economic stability.
JOURNEY TO SELF-RELIANCE
The first objective of Amrit Kaal is to build a self-reliant India. The Government plans to focus on optimum utilisation of India’s capacity resources to serve more at home and globally, and achieve self-sufficiency in every sector.
The Centre has been driving the idea of Make in India since 2014. The scheme is an open invitation to potential investors and partners across the globe to participate in the growth story of ‘New India’. The scheme, in
Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India
“I congratulate AsiaOne Magazine for publishing a trilogy on India’s 75 years of independence. The Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is based on five pillars of freedom struggle, Ideas at 75, Achievements at 75, Actions at 75 and Resolve at 75. The Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have been instrumental in transforming the country into a global force. We have now entered into Amrit Kaal. The next 25 years are when India will move forward on the path of becoming a developed economy and sustainable and inclusive society. This government, with better coordination and synergies among various Union ministries and state governments, aims the country to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25. An important need for this is building world-class infrastructure and we are working dedicatedly in this direction”
Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India
“I am delighted to learn that AsiaOne Media Group is publishing a magazine with a theme of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. Under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India exudes a strong sense of confidence and pride. The economy is now on the path of self-reliance through the Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The Government of India is already working towards development of quality infrastructure, paving the way for India to emerge as the fastest growing major economy and soon to become a $5 trillion economy. I urge all citizens to think big and set accelerated targets, with a vision to achieve transformative changes in the Amrit Kaal.”
the last eight years, has shown good results. The foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in India increased from $45.15 billion in 2014-2015 to the highest ever at $83.6 billion in the year 2021-22, and are on track to attract $100 billion in the financial year 2022-23.
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme that was launched across 14 key manufacturing sectors in 202021 gave a big boost to the Make in India initiative in the pandemic years.
In addition, the Centre launched various other initiatives to support smooth sailing of its Make in India vision. It soft launched the National Single Window System (NSWS) in September 2021 to improve the Ease of Doing Business by providing a single digital platform to investors for approvals and clearances. The next month, on 13th October 2021, the Prime Minister launched the GatiShakti programme for multimodal connectivity to manufacturing zones in the country, to ensure logistical efficiency in business operations. Another important programme has been One District One Product (ODOP), which aims at facilitating the promotion and production of indigenous products from each district of the country and providing a global platform to the artisans and manufacturers of handloom, handicrafts, textiles, agricultural and processed products, thereby encouraging the socio-economic growth of various regions of the country.
A terrific example of the success of Make in India is the toy industry. The import of toys in the financial year 2021-22 was reduced by 70% to $110 million (Rs. 877.8 crore), while the export of toys registered tremendous growth of 636% in April-August 2022 over the same period in 2013. The toy industry in India has historically been import-dependent due to lack of rawmaterial, technology, design capability and other reasons, leading to huge imports of toys and its components. The Centre with some key, focused initiatives such as increasing the Basic Custom Duty from 20% to 60%, implementing Quality Control Order, mandatory sample testing of
imported toys, granting more than 850 BIS licenses to domestic toy manufacturers, and developing toy clusters has changed the story.
THE GOAL OF “SATURATION”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 15 August 2021 independence speech called the nation to re-dedicate itself to unfinished tasks. He said there is a need to “hand-hold” sections that are lagging, and set a goal of “saturation” or 100% coverage of beneficiaries of schemes such as bank accounts for the poor, health cover under Ayushman Bharat, and clean fuel under Ujjwala Yojana.
Speaking to District Magistrates (DMs) of various districts in January 2023, the Prime Minister again reiterated the need for 100% saturation of services and facilities in every district of the country. He told the DMs to take every government welfare scheme to each doorstep and implement it in a time-bound manner. He called for a two-year vision for every district, and suggested that every district can identify 10 tasks to be completed in the next three months to improve ease-of-living for common people. He said that no district should be left behind in the digital revolution, as it can become a means of door-step delivery of services and facilities.
With the saturation level accomplished in all the welfare schemes, the poor and the socially excluded will no longer need elaborate and complex safety nets in terms of sops and subsidies. They will only need a state that ensures that their human and social capital is steadily and consistently expanded over long periods of time to eventually help them participate in wealth creation. With steady budget support to ongoing schemes, monitoring the implementation of these schemes and performance standards of the executives, and engaging citizens in the process of their own development, the State and the Centre can together work as a team to achieve minimum acceptable level of social progress.
MISSION KARMAYOGI
In the Amrit Kaal, among the many areas to be benefitted from transformative
digital technologies are governance and social justice. Technology will help governance become transparent and accountable, and welcoming to every Indian national, whether living in a big city or in a remote village. With data being the cornerstone of creating new knowledge and insights, technology will also help policy-makers build localised digital solutions.
Two noteworthy programmes launched under Centre’s good governance vision are Mission Karmayogi and Jan Vishwas Bill.
The Government launched the National Programme for Civil Services and Capacity Building (NPCSCB) - Mission Karmayogi in September 2020. It aims at building a futureready civil service with the right attitude, skills and knowledge, aligned to the vision of New India. Under the programme, sessions and modules are being created for government departments to not just respond to grievances in the most efficient and effective way, but also give a human touch to the interface with the public.
Presenting the Union Budget 2023, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told Lok Sabha that for furthering trust-based governance, the government has introduced the Jan Vishwas Bill to amend 42 Central Acts for enhancing the ease of doing business. In this, more than 39,000 compliances have been reduced and more than 3,400 legal provisions have been decriminalised.
The other key initiatives announced under good governance in the latest budget include property tax governance reforms and ring-fencing user charges on urban infrastructure, to help cities with incentives to improve their creditworthiness for municipal bonds. Amendments to the
Banking Regulation Act, the Banking Companies Act and the Reserve Bank of India Act have been proposed to improve bank governance and enhance investors’ protection.
The Government will also launch a National Data Governance Policy to unleash innovation and research by start-ups and academia. This will enable access to anonymised data, which will preserve private or confidential information by deleting or encoding identifiers that link individuals to the stored data.
THE ERA OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The Amrit Kaal will witness a boost in the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), blockchain, drones, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, 3D printing and virtual reality (VR) in everyday life and governance.
“India has been focusing much on acquiring, developing and expanding these technologies, which can well be understood by the increasing use of drones, big data analysis, AI, block-chain and other innovative technologies in all sectors,” said Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology in September 2022. The government wants the private sector to be part of this vision, he added.
Beginning 2022, the government has been promoting digital economy, fintech and technology-enabled development to achieve goals during Amrit Kaal, where digital and hi-tech services will be delivered to farmers involving public sector research and extension institutions along with private agri-tech players and other stakeholders through public-private partnerships. ‘Kisan drones’ are being
“THE GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED THE JAN VISHWAS BILL TO AMEND 42 CENTRAL ACTS FOR ENHANCING THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS, REDUCING MORE THAN 39,000 COMPLIANCES AND DECRIMINALISING MORE THAN 3,400 LEGAL PROVISIONS”
Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Minister For Parliamentary Affairs, Coal
And Mines, Government of India
“People across the Country joined in the celebration ol Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, to commemorate the accomplishments of our motherland, our people and our heritage in the last 75 years. Now, our Country will witness the Golden phase over the next 25 years in Amrit Kaal. Under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new path has been laid to make lndia one of the strongest and most Developed Nations in the world in Amrit Kaal. The platform for achieving this ambitious vision was sown nearly a decade ago and people are reaping the benefits of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The signs are ominous with lndia now becoming the 5th largest economy in the world. We must all come together to play our part in ushering the most glorious and productive phase in lndia’s history”
Dr. Sanjeev Balyan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
“I happy to state that as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav,’ the MOFAHD signed an MoU with Ministry of Food Processing Industry (MoFPI) for extension of benefits to dairy entrepreneurs or industries through convergence of various schemes of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), MOFAHD.
The DAHD and MoFPI will work together to achieve the goal for income generation for sustainable development of the rural poor through extension of benefits of various schemes to the beneficiaries whenever they require credit support for establishment/extension/ strengthening of quality control, dairy processing and other objectives. I congratulate AsiaOne Magazine and Mr. Rajat Shukal for coming up with a magazine and coffee table book to celebrate “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”
used for crop assessment, digitisation of land records, and administering insecticides and other nutrients for healthy crop management and growth. The Centre is also promoting ‘Drone Shakti’ through start-ups and Drone as a Service (DrAAS) to scale up the use of drones in several application areas.
The Budget 2023 has added more programmes to the government’s vision of Digital India. An important area of work is using data to serve citizens better.
The Centre will set up 100 labs for developing applications using 5G services in engineering institutions to realise a new range of opportunities, business models, and employment potential. “The labs will cover, among others, applications such as smart classrooms, precision farming, intelligent transport systems, and health care applications,” said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget 2023 speech.
There has been a strong emphasis on the development of AI, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things. The Union Finance Minister in the 2023 Budget announced the establishment of three centres of excellence for AI to promote the creation and use of AI in India. The focus on AI is aimed at encouraging the growth of the technology and ensuring that it benefits the country, i.e., ‘Make AI for India’ and ‘Make AI work for India’.
To promote financial inclusion, introduction of a new digital payment system and the expansion of digital financial services to rural areas have been done. The goal is to tap into the potential for new business models and job opportunities that 5G technology can bring. The creation of a national e-commerce policy and the development of a digital industrial policy will encourage the growth of digital economy. The eCourt project will be launched with a budget of Rs.7,000 crore ($854 million) to modernise the delivery of judicial services and provide a more streamlined and accessible system for citizens. The initiative is aimed at improving the efficiency of the administration of justice through technology.
JAI ANUSANDHAN
Adding the term Jai Anusandhan to the earlier slogan of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan – given by former Prime Ministers Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri and Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a push in the areas of research and innovation, to support self-reliance among private entities and grassroots’ small and medium businesses, and farmers.
While the Prime Minister gave the term Jai Anusandhan in his 76th Independence Day speech, the spirit has long been there. Research and innovation led to over 75,000 DPIITrecognised start-ups in existence across 653 districts of India as of August 3, 2022. The country has seen a massive jump in its global ranking at the Global Innovation Index (GII) from 81st in the year 2015 to 46th in 2021 among 130 economies of the world. India ranked 2nd among 34 lower middle-income economies and 1st among 10 Central and Southern Asian economies in terms of GII. The consistent improvement in the GII ranking is owing to the immense knowledge capital, the vibrant startup ecosystem, and some outstanding work done by the public and private research organisations.
An important contribution of these start-ups has been job creation, a reason enough for the government to support it through dedicated programmes, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH) program was carved out in a record time by the Department of Science and Technology just when Covid hit to support startups working on Covid products and solutions,” said Dr Jitendra Singh, adding, “Overall, the impact and outcome of DST’s program on innovation and entrepreneurship has been significant: promoting 160 incubators, nurturing 12,000 start-ups, including 1,627 women-led start-ups, generating 1,31, 648 jobs.”
The pursuit of innovation is leading to the rise of disruptive technology and bringing about greater and qualitative socio-economic changes in the lives of people. Ground-breaking technologies
such as big data analysis, AI, block chain, and communication-related technologies have become norms of the day. A number of technological innovations have been brought into picture for agriculture, healthcare and disaster management, helping the government in facing grave challenges of drought, rain, pest, cyclone, and waste, among others.
Going forward, innovation would be the strongest pillar that would help build a developed India in the Amrit Kaal, said Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, as the country climbed to 40th rank in the Global Innovation Index of World Intellectual Property Organization in 2022, jumping six places from a year before and 81 places seven years ago. Describing innovation to be a catalytic force for both economy and social and public good, the union minister called for the creation of an international network of mentors, investors and entrepreneurs to strengthen the global start-up ecosystem.
A game-changer, innovation can also lead the way in solving global problems, from climate change to poverty and inequality, as the success of digital public goods such as CoWin, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) shows. While tackling problems and ensuring inclusive growth by redefining social innovation, these digital services have witnessed growing participation from tier 2 and 3 markets that are swiftly embracing latest technology and pushing the envelope for local start-ups with new ideas to succeed.
The Government has been nurturing the innovation spirit right from the school level onwards through Atal Innovation Mission. Addressing the inaugural session of the Inception Meeting of the Startup 20 Engagement Group of G20 in Hyderabad on January 28, 2023, Piyush Goyal said that India also has an active programme for supporting start-ups with many nations around the world. “Some of the prime examples are the Indo-US, Indo-UK, Indo-Australia partnerships where we explore supporting deep tech start-ups that contribute to the
circular economy, and address basic needs like health, water, agriculture, education, financial inclusion, etc,” he added.
BOOST TO MSMES
Amrit Kaal is the period that will see focused planning and action for the empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The MSMEs account for 30% of the country’s GDP, 48% of overall exports, 95% of industrial units, and 40% of employment. “During the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal’, our MSMEs are a great means of achieving India’s colossal goal of self-reliance,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 30, 2022.
To ensure that India’s exports increase continuously and the products reach newer markets, the government is trying to create a local supply chain for Make in India, which can reduce India’s dependence on foreign countries. Unprecedented emphasis is being laid upon the expansion of the MSME sector. In July 2022, the Government launched a World Bank supported Central Sector Scheme called Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) worth about Rs. 6,000 crore. The scheme aims at strengthening institutions and governance at the Centre and State levels, improving Centre-State linkages and partnerships and improving access of MSMEs to market and credit, technology upgradation, and addressing issues of delayed payments and greening of MSMEs.
Another government scheme is to encourage first-time exporters and a decision to expand the scope of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, which has provided employment to more than 40 lakh people through MSMEs in the past few years.
More importantly, in the budget of the first year of the Amrit Kaal, the Finance Minister has announced that the revamped credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs, proposed in the Budget 2022, will take effect from 1st April 2023 through infusion of Rs. 9,000 crore in the corpus. “This will enable additional collateral-free guaranteed
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble
Minister for Jal Shakti, Government of India
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to AsiaOne Media Network and Shri Rajat Shukal for commemorating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, an endeavour to celebrate and highlight all major achievements of India since independence. At the same time, we aim to showcase our accolades and strength of the last 8 years, on the global level, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Capitalising on the strength of 140 crore Indians, we aim to create an environment which will take us towards the Amrit Kaal. Under the aegis of Jal Shakti Ministry, the Jal Jeevan Mission has successfully installed tap water connections in over 10 crore Indian households. Looking at the current pace, we are slated to reach our goal before 2024 and promote sustainable development”
Dr.
Mahendra
Nath Pandey, Union Minister of Heavy Industries
“I congratulate AsiaOne Media Group for bringing out a series of features dedicated to the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Ministry of Heavy Industries is focused on developing a globally competitive, green and technology-driven manufacturing sector, which propels growth and job creation. The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has said that environment security has the same importance as national security, and that India is making all efforts towards becoming energy independent. Under our FAME-1 scheme, the nation is building a network of Solar-based Electric Vehicle Charging stations that will prove to be an important step in this direction. My best wishes to AsiaOne Magazine for promoting the stories of Indian growth and excellence and our greatest business leaders and entrepreneurs across the world”
credit of Rs. 2 lakh crore. Further, the cost of credit will be reduced by about 1%,” she said.
In the Budget 2023, the MSMEs have been given relief under Vivad Se Vishwas I and II schemes in cases of failure to execute contracts during the COVID period. A voluntary settlement scheme with standardised terms will be introduced to settle contractual disputes of government and government undertakings. An Entity DigiLocker will also be set up for the MSMEs, large businesses and charitable trusts to store and share documents online securely, whenever needed, with many authorities, regulators, banks and other entities.
HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Investments in infrastructure and productive capacity have a large multiplier impact on growth and employment. The Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been boldly pushing for capex investments and creating the much-needed mobility infrastructure in roads, rail, airports and heliports. It is expected that these will not only enhance the participation of the private sector and distribute the gains across all sections of society, but also provide muchrequired connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.
The Budget 2023 has allocated 16.6% of the total expenditure and 2.5% of GDP to infrastructure. The allocation is higher than Budget 2022, which allocated 14.1% of total expenditure and 2.15% of GDP to the infrastructure sector.
Urbanisation will be the biggest driver of India’s growth story in the next 25 years. The latest budget has announced an Urban Infrastructure Development Fund, and plans to build sustainable cities. The Centre has proposed to launch ‘100 critical sustainable infrastructure projects’ to boost last-mile connectivity and play a crucial role in improving the delivery of food, fertilisers, coal, and others.
To create sustainable cities of tomorrow, states and cities will be encouraged to undertake urban planning reforms and actions. This will include efficient use of land resources, adequate raw material for
urban infrastructure, transit-oriented development, enhanced availability and affordability of urban land, and opportunities for all.
The budget has also allocated Railways Rs 2.40 lakh crore under infrastructure growth – the highest ever capital outlay for railways. The government has launched the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which envisages the development of railway stations on a continuous basis with a long-term vision. The scheme aims at preparation of Master Plans of the railway stations and implementation of these plans in phases to enhance the facilities. The government will reform 1,275 railway stations under this scheme.
WATER VISION 2047
The Centre’s water vision towards 2047 will be a big contribution to Amrit Kaal, believes the Prime Minister. The Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission on August 15, 2019 to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all rural households by 2024. On April 24, 2022, the government launched Mission Amrit Sarovar with the resolve to build 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district of the country to overcome the water crisis in rural areas. To date, the Jal Jeevan Mission has provided tap water connections to 49.22% rural households, and Mission Amrit Sarovar has constructed 25,000 Amrit Sarovars across the country.
The Prime Minister emphasised on the need for awareness, public participation and use of technologies in water conservation to make the vision a reality forever. He called for a new chapter of Jan Bhagidari to begin with multiple stakeholders from all sections of society, from common people to social organisations and civil society, and start-ups. An important component in the area of water conservation will be technologies like geo-mapping and geo-sensing that are already playing an important role.
The Prime Minister envisions that once the system of water conservation is in place, the Gram Panchayats should lead the Jal Jeevan Mission. Every Gram Panchayat can submit
a periodic report online stating the number of houses that are getting tap water in the village. He also insisted on a system of periodic water testing to be developed to ensure water quality.
AMRIT PEEDHI
According to Reliance Industries Limited’s Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani, India can become a $40 trillion economy by 2047 in a sustainable and stable manner.
“This goal ($40 trillion economy) is realistic and achievable because India is blessed with the power of young demography, mature democracy and the newly acquired power of technology,” Ambani said while speaking at the Reliance Family Day Function in December 2022.
With a young population, India is strongly placed to become a talent powerhouse and the largest contributor to the global workforce. The extraordinary opportunity is extremely crucial during the Amrit Kaal, making the young of the country, Amrit Peedhi or ‘youth power’. According to a CII report, if India’s demographic dividend is efficiently employed, growth prospects will brighten, helping it to take ahead its GDP from the current $3 trillion to $9 trillion by 2030 and $40 trillion by 2047.
Demographic dividend in India brings better economic growth and a rapid increase in economic activities due to this large workingage population. It contributes to an increase in the labour force that increases the economy’s overall productivity. Investing in the country’s young population and keeping their interests in mind, building futurelooking skill development centres, supporting start-ups and policy moves like Jan Vishwas will boost their participation.
The Union Budget 2023 has responded to this call of the industry and experts by unveiling a youthinclusive and youth-empowering budget. The Budget 2023-24 focuses on Amrit Peedhi, who would be supported through courses in the areas of AI, robotics, 3D printing, IoT, and drones, among others. It focuses on
revamping India’s education system to make it more practical and industryoriented, besides emphasising on vocational and skill training. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 will be launched to skill lakhs of youth within the next three years. On-thejob training, industry partnership, and alignment of courses with needs of the industry will be emphasised. The scheme will also cover newage courses for Industry 4.0 such as coding, AI, robotics, mechatronics, IOT, 3D printing, drones, and soft skills.
To skill the youth for international opportunities, 30 Skill India International Centres will be set up across the country.
A Unified Skill India Digital Platform will also be launched to further expand the digital ecosystem for skilling. This platform will enable demand-based formal skilling, linking with employers, including MSMEs, and facilitating access to entrepreneurship schemes. To provide stipend support to 47 lakh youth in three years, Direct Benefit Transfer under a pan-India National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme will be rolled out.
The allocation of Rs 3,000 crore for the National Recruitment Agency to streamline the recruitment process for government jobs will aid employment opportunities for the youth.
The focus is also on upskilling programmes for 3.5 lakh tribal students. Additionally, 38,800 youth will be recruited for 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools. The commitment to recruit teachers over the next three years is a major boost for tribal students who will now have access to quality education and opportunity.
SURPLUS ENERGY, STEADY GROWTH
Shri Narendra Modi on the country’s 75th Independence Day announced to make India an energy-independent nation by 2047 through a mix of electric mobility, gas-based economy, doping ethanol in petrol, and making the country a hub for hydrogen production. Under his leadership, the country achieved the target of 100 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity ahead of the target. His
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH Government of India
“Greetings and congratulations to the entire AsiaOne family for bringing out a magazine and coffee table book commemorating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. In 2047, we will mark 100 years of Independence. As we enter the nation’s Amrit Kaal, we have been presented with a unique opportunity to become the Vishwaguru under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji. Led by his vision, we are striving towards energising our vast network of inland waterways to unlock the huge potential of growth and economic prosperity of India. Our Amrit Kaal will be driven by PM GatiShakti, a mission that will transform the economy and open unprecedented avenues of employment for youth. I am certain that together we will fulfill all our dreams”
Shri Arjun Munda, Hon’ble Minister for Tribal Affairs
“India today has been able to make a mark in the World platform as a country that is leading in all spheres of economy and has put in place effective measures to ensure welfare of its citizens. The giant strides being made under the dynamic leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji in sectors like Science, Technology and promotion of “Vocal for Local” ethos has put our nation firmly on path to reaching a milestone of $5 trillion economy in few years.
The current year of G20 Presidency by India embracing the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or “World is One” further reinforces our belief of welfare for entire humanity. The AsiaOne Magazine has strived to be at the forefront of putting across all relevant issues and creating public opinion. I convey my best wishes for its endeavours”
A Hydrogen-Powered
The Amrit Kaal will be the era when India will take giant steps towards cleaner, greener fuels, the foremost being hydrogen. The fuel of the future, hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element of the universe, which holds the potential to change our dependency on fossil fuels. A game-changer here is the green hydrogen, which is hydrogen extracted without generating any net carbon emissions. Produced through the electrolysis of water, using renewable energy sources, green hydrogen is an essentially limitless and clean source of energy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Hydrogen Mission on India’s 75th Independence Day, i.e. 15 August 2021. The Union Cabinet on January 4, 2023, approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission with an initial outlay of Rs. 19,744 crore.
The outlay of the mission includes Rs.17,490 crore for SIGHT programme, Rs.1,466 crore for pilot projects, Rs.400 crore for R&D, and Rs.388 crore towards other mission components. The expected mission outcomes are development of green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (million metric tonne) per annum, renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW in the country, over Rs. 8 lakh crore in total investments, creation of over 6 lakh jobs, over Rs. 1 lakh crore cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports, and abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions.
The mission will provide benefits such as creation of export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives; decarbonisation of industrial, mobility and energy sectors; reduction in the dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock; development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities; creation of employment opportunities; and development of cutting-edge technologies.
GREEN HYDROGEN/GREEN AMMONIA POLICY
Another important emerging fuel is ammonia, a chemical used mainly in the manufacture of nitrogenous fertilisers such as urea and ammonium nitrate, but can be put to other uses too, such as to run engines.
Hydrogen and ammonia are envisaged to be the future fuels to replace fossil fuels. Production of these fuels by using power from renewable energy, termed as green hydrogen and green ammonia, is one of the major requirements towards environmentally sustainable energy security of the nation.
The Government of India is taking various measures to facilitate the transition from fossil fuel or fossil fuel based feedstocks to green hydrogen or green ammonia. The notification of this policy is one of the major steps in this endeavour.
The policy provides as follows:
• Green Hydrogen/Ammonia manufacturers may purchase renewable power from the power exchange or set up renewable energy capacity themselves or through any other developer, anywhere.
• Open access will be granted within 15 days of receipt of application.
• The Green Hydrogen/Ammonia manufacturer can bank his
Hydrogen-Powered Future
unconsumed renewable power, up to 30 days, with a distribution company and take it back when required.
• Distribution licensees can also procure and supply renewable energy to the manufacturers of Green Hydrogen or Green Ammonia in their States at concessional prices, which will only include the cost of procurement, wheeling charges and a small margin as determined by the State Commission.
• Waiver of inter-state transmission charges for a period of 25 years will be allowed to the manufacturers of Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia for the projects commissioned before 30 June 2025.
• The manufacturers of Green Hydrogen or Ammonia and the renewable energy plant shall be given connectivity to the grid on priority basis to avoid any procedural delays.
• The benefit of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) will be granted incentive to the hydrogen/ammonia manufacturer and the distribution licensee for consumption of renewable power.
• To ensure ease of doing business, a single portal for carrying out all the activities, including statutory clearances in a time-bound manner will be set up by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Connectivity, at the generation end and the Green Hydrogen or Ammonia manufacturing end, to the Inter-State Transmission System for renewable energy capacity set up for the purpose of manufacturing Green Hydrogen or Ammonia shall be granted on priority.
• Manufacturers of Green Hydrogen or Green Ammonia shall be allowed to set up bunkers near ports for storage of Green Ammonia for export or use by shipping. The land for the storage for this purpose shall be provided by the respective port Authorities at applicable charges.
The implementation of this policy will provide clean fuel to the common people of the country. This will reduce dependence on fossil fuel and crude oil imports. The objective also is for India to emerge as an export hub for Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia.
The policy promotes renewable energy generation, as it will be the basic ingredient in making green hydrogen. This, in turn, will help in meeting the international commitments for clean energy.
Green hydrogen energy is vital for India to meet its nationally determined contribution (NDC) targets and ensure regional and national energy security, access and availability. It can act as an energy storage option, which would be essential to meet intermittencies (of RE) in the future. It can be used in railways, large ships, buses or trucks, etc. Hydrogen has the potential to be the key renewable target in supporting infrastructure as well.
With most countries globally looking for ways to achieve their net zero goals, alternate sources of energy such as wind and solar have picked up steam. Companies are building the biggest wind turbines ever and increasing the size of solar farms rapidly, but both of the energy forms do not always generate power continuously or on demand, making the world again turn to fossil fuels for energy security. Until RE scales up to meet demand, a carbon-free fuel could be used to fill the gap or act as a backup when renewables do not deliver. Hydrogen can fill this gap.
Shri Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Minister For Law and Justice, Government of India
“It gives me immense pleasure to learn that AsiaOne Magazine is coming up with a Republic Day Special edition of its magazine to commemorate “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.” The Mahotsav is an initiative to commemorate 75 glorious years of progressive India. It is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey, but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I congratulate and express my sincere appreciation to the AsiaOne Group for their initiative and efforts in the publication of this highly informative and useful book. I am sure the book will motivate the youth to dedicate their lives to the cause of nationbuilding and Atmanirbhar Bharat”
His Excellency
Mr. Nagesh Singh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to ESCAP, Embassy of India, Bangkok
“I extend my greetings and good wishes to the AsiaOne family for bringing out the special issue on India’s 74th Republic Day.
The celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav under various themes including ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ has inspired and motivated us to work towards building a stronger and evermore confident India. The nation assumed the G20 Presidency in December 2022, under the theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakum’ or ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. In this context, our country will play an increasingly important role in addressing global challenges. I am confident that the people of India will continue working collectively in this golden phase of Amrit Kaal”
Cabinet in January 2023 announced the National Hydrogen Mission to increase the use of Green Hydrogen as a cleaner alternative fuel and make India a global hydrogen hub.
Global experts also see India’s transition to clean energy as a once in a lifetime economic opportunity. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India has the potential to become a world leader in renewable batteries and green hydrogen; that, along with other lowcarbon technologies, could create a market worth $80 billion by 2030. The IEA also estimates that $160 billion investment will be required every year between now and 2030, which is three times today’s investment levels, in order to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2070. Going down this path will be rewarding as India’s GDP can get a boost of 4.7 per cent by 2036 and 15 million jobs can be created by 2047.
Industry champions are also sure about India’s success. RIL Chairman Mukesh D. Ambani has said that three game-changing revolutions will govern India’s growth in the decades ahead – the Clean Energy Revolution, the Bio-Energy Revolution and the Digital Revolution. “Together, they will transform lives in ways unimagined. While the Clean Energy Revolution and the Bio-Energy Revolution will produce energy sustainably, the Digital Revolution will enable us to consume energy efficiently,” he said.
The Union Budget 2022-23 highlights the Centre’s focus on energy transition, which is expected to fuel “green growth” in the country in the coming years. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman listed “green growth” among four opportunities that can be transformative for India in the run up to 2047. The other three are economic empowerment of women, integrating traditional artisans with the MSME sector, and tourism. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been allocated Rs. 10,222 crore, a 48% hike from the previous budget of Rs 7,033 crore.
The Budget 2023 provides Rs. 35,000 crore for priority capital investments towards net zero transition and energy security by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, she said.
India formally updated its nationally determined contribution (NDC) to fight climate change, confirming to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in August 2022 that it will reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030, and source about 50% of its energy requirement from non-fossil fuel-based sources the same deadline. The country also underlined that its NDC would help achieve the long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070.
Compared to the previous years, various projects within the MNRE received a huge boost. Among them is the increase in the money allocated towards off-grid solar projects. Green bonds is another focus area.
“As a part of the government’s overall market borrowings in 202223, Sovereign Green Bonds will be issued for mobilising resources for green infrastructure,” Sitharaman said in last year’s budget.
From 2017 to September 2022, 15 Indian corporates issued green bonds worth Rs 4,539 crore, says SEBI’s data on green debt securities. Most of these are related to renewable energy generation, the Economic Survey 2022-23 said. The Reserve Bank of India conducted two auctions on January 25 and February 9, 2023, for Rs 8,000 crore each, the survey added.
TOWARDS A SHARED FUTURE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that an important component of the Amrit Kaal of India’s independence will not only be a period of national development and glory, but also an occasion when the country will play an important role in giving direction to the world.
India stands as the way forward for the world stuck in the disruption of global supply chains due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation in China. With global supply chains looking to move out of China, India has emerged as a natural destination of choice.
To deliver on this opportunity, in September 2022, the country introduced the National Logistics Policy to further bolster the supply chain and add fresh impetus to India’s manufacturing sector. The policy will
help reduce the logistics cost in India and improve the competitiveness of Indian goods both in domestic as well as export markets. Reduced logistics cost will also improve efficiency across sectors of the economy, encouraging value addition and enterprise.
India’s foreign trade with countries across the globe would become a truly defining feature in the years to come, believes Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. “The world wants Free Trade Agreements with us. It wants to expand trading relationships and friendship with India, looking at the potential in terms of a large market and the potential we have to help their economies survive and grow,” he said.
India will also take forward the legacy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam –the World Is One Family – as India’s foundational belief is that its own development is inseparable from that of the rest of the world. The country believes that development is a public good, open sourcing is the best way forward, and the UN can be an even bigger force multiplier in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by pooling global knowledge. Multilateralism is important to the shared goals of the world.
India also recognises that its progress and growth have benefitted from its interface with the United Nations and its agencies, and so aims to strengthen initiatives such as the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, which is the first-ever single country South-South Initiative at the UN. The Fund was established by the Government of India in June 2017 to work with fellow developing countries in a spirit of South-South cooperation by providing support to projects that aim to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, as per their request. It currently extends to 66 development projects in 51 countries, informed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
India has also enabled two major initiatives for global climate action: International Solar Alliance, which India pioneered with France in 2015 on the sidelines of COP 21, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure founded at the COP-26, in which India is the founder member. India then helped to launch further
initiatives under the two platforms, namely the Green Grids Initiative –One Sun, One World, One Grid, and the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States initiative.
India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also been quick to respond to global challenges. The country, during the COVID-19 pandemic, responded first with vaccines for countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and South Asia.
In the light of the conflict in Ukraine and resulting food and energy inflation, India responded by supplying food grains. In recent years, the country has given grant assistance to Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Yemen, and several countries in Africa.
In February 2023, under “Operation Dost,” India sent a field hospital, medicines, materials, and search and rescue teams to earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria that suffered massive losses of life and property.
The year 2023 is important in India’s journey as a global leader. The country has the presidency of the G20 and the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. India on 12–13 January 2023 convened a virtual summit of developing countries, Voice of the Global South Summit, where 125 nations participated.
During its G20 Presidency, India aims to amplify the voice of the global south. The nation has chosen the theme of One Earth, One Family, One Future. “We believe the path to realising ‘oneness’ is through human-centric development. People of the Global South should no longer be excluded from the fruits of development. Together, we must attempt to redesign global political and financial governance. This can remove inequities, enlarge opportunities, support growth and spread progress, and prosperity,” said the Prime Minister in his address at the opening session of Voice of Global South Summit 2023.
Through its various global alliances, India is working towards promoting the universal sense of one-ness. In the era of Amrit Kaal, the country is proudly forging new definitions and creating new order.
His Excellency
Mr. Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE
“My heartiest greetings to all, in India and abroad, on the 74th Republic Day! It was on this day in 1950, India was established as the largest democratic republic and ‘we the people’ put into effect a constitution that is an inspired document of our collective vision. As we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, commemorating 75 glorious years of Independence, I am confident that India and Indians will only go on from strength to strength in Amrit Kaal. It is time to reinforce the future with our collective resolve and efforts. It is only befitting that India has taken over the G20 Presidency at a critical juncture.
“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One World, One Family, One Future” has never been more relevant and at this Republic Day, we are at the forefront of making the world a better place for coming generations”
GLOBAL LEADERS OF THE YEAR 2023
In continuation of our commitment to bring the readers of AsiaOne Magazine the stories of Global Leaders of the Year, we present you yet another revered collection of human success stories from the world of business. The comprehensive list of leaders from a mix of industries and sub-industries has stories of success, hard work, exceptional vision, and the courage and ingenuity to transform one’s vision into reality. The stories also capture the positive impact these leaders have made on the country’s economy and development with their business excellence, best practices, innovation, global outlook, and social responsibility. These leaders have proved that failure, pain, and change are true companions in the journey towards excellence. Today, their conviction and spirit stand stronger than any obstacle in their way, and capable of taking forward their dreams and teams
SUDHIR GUPTA
ATIF RAHMAN
DR. MARK MABHUDHU
GAUTAM ADANI
GAUTAM B. BODA
LAL ABDUL SALAM
DR. NIKHILESH TIWARI
RICHARD SAMUEL EDWIN
RK AGRAWAL
SANDEEP TIKU
RONALD COLACO
MUKESH THAKWANI
NIREN ANAND
RODGERS MUDARIKWA
SANJIB SAHOO
SURESH KRISHNA
GLOBAL LEADER OF THE YEAR 2023
In one of his recent speeches, Gautam Adani opened about the regrets and opportunities of his life. In a speech, the 60-year-old businessman regretted quitting formal education at the age of 16 for work. While the decision exposed him to various challenges, the grand opportunity called India surely worked for him. The Adani Group is just one manifestation of India’s entrepreneur success story, he said in his address, adding that the country holds the potential to build 100 Adani Groups.
Today, with less than five decades in business, Gautam owns a phenomenal journey that has seen his group become the world’s largest solar power company, largest airport and sea port operator in India, the country’s largest integrated energy player and second largest cement manufacturer, a conglomerate with market capitalisation of over $225 billion, and a story of transformation for many future generations of entrepreneurs.
A SYMBOL OF HOPE AND HUMILITY
Adani was born in 1962 in Ahmedabad to a textile merchant, Shantilal Adani and his wife Shantaben. The couple had migrated from the town of Tharad in the northern part of Gujarat. After finishing his education with Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas Vidyalaya in Ahmedabad, he took admission in B.Com in Gujarat University, but dropped out after the second year to join his father’s textile business. In 1978, at the age of 16, he left for Mumbai to work as a diamond sorter. A fast learner, Gautam mastered the art and launched his own diamond brokerage firm at Zaveri Bazaar, Mumbai.
Led by the desire of consistent growth, which diamond trading could not offer, Gautam joined his elder brother Mansukhbhai Adani in 1981 to help manage a plastic-film manufacturing business he had just acquired. This venture proved to be his gateway to global trading through polyvinyl chloride (PVC) imports. By 1985, he started importing primary polymers for small-scale industries. His consistent and ingenious efforts led to the establishment of Adani Exports Limited in 1988, starting with the exports of agricultural and power commodities. The company, now known as Adani Enterprises Limited, is the holding company of the Adani Group. A major breakthrough of his career came with the economic liberalisation of 1991, which made trading and exporting favourable for his
GAUTAM ADANI
LED BY CONVICTION
Mr. Gautam Shantilal Adani, the Chairman and Founder of the Adani Group, has more than 33 years of business experience. Under his leadership, Adani Group has emerged as a global integrated infrastructure player with interest across Resources, Logistics and Energy verticals. The able leader prefers to stand strong in the storm. A firm believer of the idea of New India and its global growth in the coming decades, the leader is committed to his business and social responsibility in building an inclusive, progressive society
BY JYOTI VERMA
company. The reform helped him diversify and expand his businesses into trading of metals, textiles and agro products. However, the major turning point in his career graph came in 1993, when the Government of Gujarat announced managerial outsourcing of the Mundra Port in Gujarat.
In 1995, Gautam bagged the contract of Mundra Port and began his journey as an infrapreneur. The same year, he set up the first jetty, and started port functions from the Mundra Port & Special Economic Zone, later shifting them to Adani Ports & SEZ Limited (APSEZ). Initially, he took approval from the Gujarat government to set up a harbour facility to handle its own cargo at Mundra Port, but sensing the potential in the project, decided to turn it into a commercial port. He built rail and road links to the port by individually negotiating with more than 500 landowners across India. Registering consistent growth, Today, APSEZ has become the largest private multi-port operator in India. Mundra Port, with the capacity of handling close to 210 million tonnes of cargo per annum, is the largest private sector port in India.
Power was the next sector for Gautam to venture. In 1996, he founded Adani Power Limited. Today, with the capacity of 4620 MW, the company is the largest
private thermal power producer of the country. It is also India’s largest closely held thermal coal producer and the largest coal trader. In 2006, Gautam expanded to the power generation business and acquired Carmichael Coal in Queensland and Abbot Point Port in Australia. In 2018, he completed the acquisition of the power business of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure in Mumbai. In 2019, he forayed into the petrochemicals sector with a $2.6 billion joint venture with Germany’s BASF and won bids to run six domestic airports.
The driving force behind the Group’s rise has been Adani’s swift response to opportunities. “If you analyse a problem too much, you will never tap the opportunity,” says the leader. While the Group has diversified into industries ranging from logistics, energy, agriculture, defence, aerospace, real estate, ports, special economic zones, to IT-enabled services and many more, there are threads that bind them together. The business of commodities trading, edible oil manufacturing, Mundra port operations, and distribution of natural gas are its core businesses, and the Group’s expansion has been based on the synergy among its various business units with which they stay together and empower each other to be more productive and competitive.
“IN 2022, IN THE YEAR OF THE CENTENARY BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS FATHER AND HIS OWN 60TH BIRTHDAY, GAUTAM ADANI COMMITTED A DONATION OF RS. 60,000 CRORE TO A RANGE OF SOCIAL CAUSES. THIS CORPUS IS BEING ADMINISTERED BY THE ADANI FOUNDATION”
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Gautam has led the Adani Group to several prestigious national and international awards and honours for its corporate performance. He has bagged numerous awards himself for his professional commitment, entrepreneurial success and unique vision.
The conglomerate bagged the Dun & Bradstreet – Rolta Corporate Award for outstanding performance in Trading, the Five Star Export House Award, the FIEO’s Niryat Shree Gold Trophy, the ICSI award for Excellence in Corporate Governance, the GCCI Export Appreciation Award, the International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities (ISPS) for Compliance by Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, the SRTEPC Award, to name a few. The Mundra Port and SEZ has been awarded the Port Authority Award by Lloyd’s List for the Best Port in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent. Gautam was awarded the Excellence in Management Award by the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
GROWTH WITH GOODNESS
In 2022, in the year of the centenary birth anniversary of his father and his own 60th birthday, Gautam committed a donation of Rs. 60,000 crore to a range of social causes. This corpus is being administered by the Adani Foundation.
He also serves as the President of Adani Foundation, which he runs with his wife Priti Adani. The foundation draws inspiration from the Gandhian philosophy of trusteeship, and strives to create sustainable opportunities. Founded in 1996 as the corporate social responsibility arm of the Adani Group, the Foundation initially worked with a few rural communities around the Mundra Port. It gradually developed a team of committed professionals to meticulously plan and implement developmental and growth programmes in rural communities. The work of the foundation has enabled holistic development of several communities, contributing to the global agenda of meeting Sustainable Development Goals. Today, it works in the spheres of education, community health, medical aid, rural infrastructure management and development, sustainable livelihood management and charitable initiatives in several Indian states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
GLOBAL LEADER OF THE YEAR 2023
The youngest of four children, Amancio Ortega was born to a railway worker in Busdongo de Arbas, Spain in 1936. He dropped out of school at the age of 14. For many, this may be a bad beginning of a life, but not for the man who had to become one of the first and most successful pioneers of fast fashion—a retail concept based on the swift production and distribution of inexpensive versions of designs picked from fashion runways or pop culture icons. Shortly after leaving school, he entered the world of garment business as a delivery boy and as an assistant in a men’s shirt store. He learned to make clothes by hand and for the next 10 years, he worked at multiple jobs in the garment industry. His work experience at both front end and back end of the garment business helped him gain a rich, versatile experience of the trade.
The men’s shirt store where Ortega worked catered to a wealthy clientele. He saw an opportunity to expand his client base by using less-expensive materials and more-efficient manufacturing systems, and competitively pricing the garments. In 1963, he founded a small family workshop in his home in Spain, making women’s bathrobes by hand. In 1975, he opened the first Zara store in A Coruña, Spain with his wife, making a leap from production to retail.
A BRILLIANT BREAKTHROUGH
Ortega learned everything about the garment business from scratch. The jobs at the local shirt maker, Gala helped him understand the basics of the business, such as the costs of manufacturing and delivering clothing directly to customers. He also had important observations on the industry, like people put in extra money for things that are status symbols, such as fashion. The second observation was that very few women cared about the quality of clothes as much as they cared about their variety and design.
Ortega believed that a breakthrough is always possible. His breakthrough was the concept of taking fashion garments from the idea stage to the retail floor within two weeks. The model was so successful that it shook up the entire fashion retail industry. In the forthcoming years, new Zara stores opened across Spain, its parent company Inditex was incorporated in 1985, a series of stores opened internationally beginning with Portugal in 1988, and the business leader made several brand expansions and acquisitions throughout the 1990s.
AMANCIO ORTEGA
THE FAST FASHION GENIUS
One of the wealthiest fashion retailers in the world, Amancio Ortega is not a usual billionaire. The octogenarian entrepreneur and pioneer of fast fashion is the force behind famous global fashion brand Zara. The Spanish businessman, after disrupting the global fashion retail industry, in last few years has diversified into sectors as diverse as real estate, insurance, energy and healthcare. Despite the highs, he prefers to maintain a low profile, maintaining his pace in business and philanthropy
BY JYOTI VERMA
In total, within four decades, the 86-yearold entrepreneur grew his business into one of the largest fashion retailers in the world. It’s impressive that Ortega, who briefly became the richest man in the world for a short period in 2015, did not have his career breakthrough until the age of 39.
CREATING BOTH DEMAND AND SUPPLY
Ortega grasped the key concept of fast fashion driving the market. He continues to run Zara on this concept, wherein trend spotters pick up design ideas from fashion shows, in-house designers reproduce the best concepts, and the company’s highly efficient manufacturing operations make and deliver new fashions to stores in just a few weeks. His stores never wait for arrivals during the traditional fashion seasons of fall, winter, spring, and summer, but receive fashion collections all through the year, on a weekly basis. The styles that fail to not find takers are quickly removed from stores.
The concept has become so popular with customers that its more than 1,000 outlets worldwide spent reasonably little on advertising and promotions. Even in the current times, where most clothing manufacturers outsource production to China and other low-cost manufacturing hubs, Inditex produced two-thirds of
its garments in Spain and surrounding countries.
Ortega focuses more on trending styles than on volume. For Zara, his company manufactures more than 12,000 styles every year, creating more demand and shortage of a particular trending fashion. The lesser the availability, the more is the desire of the product. In addition, as it produces less volume it cuts down on its discount as well. The entrepreneur also opens its stores near high-end fashion stores that attract customers without spending much on marketing.
A BELIEVER OF SIMPLE LIVING
The success story of Zara helped the simple life Ortega preferred to live. In an industry that runs on public images and publicity, he has enjoyed tremendous international success while living a strictly private life away from shutterbugs.
Humble, thrifty, retiring, and almost anonymous perfectly describe Amancio Ortega, the man behind one of the mostbuzzing fashion retail brands in the world.
He is private about his personal life, and as of 2012 he had only given three interviews to journalists. Until 1999, no photograph of the businessman had ever been published.
As of 2017, despite owning a huge real
“ THE SUCCESS STORY OF ZARA HELPED THE SIMPLE LIFE ORTEGA PREFERRED TO LIVE. IN AN INDUSTRY THAT RUNS ON PUBLIC IMAGES AND PUBLICITY, HE HAS ENJOYED TREMENDOUS INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS WHILE LIVING A STRICTLY PRIVATE LIFE AWAY FROM SHUTTERBUGS”
estate portfolio, Ortega mostly lived with his wife in his apartment in A Coruña, Spain. On the day of Inditex’s public offering in 2001, he preferred to follow a regular work schedule despite the fact that his net worth had risen by $6 billion. In 2008, Inditex became the world’s largest fashion retailer, with about 4,000 stores in 70 countries, and Ortega had become one of the world’s top billionaires.
In 2011, the genius behind fast fashion stepped down as Inditex Chairman, while remaining involved with the company and retaining his majority stake. For a brief period of time in 2015, he became the richest man in the world, beating Bill Gates when his net worth peaked to $80 billion with the peaking stock of as Inditex.
LIFE BEYOND FASHION
Today, Amancio Ortega owns eight brands, namely Zara, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Zara Home, Kiddy’s Class, Tempe, Stradivarius, Pull & Bear and Bershka, and 7,500 stores around the world. The senior entrepreneur has created a fortune worth $76.7 billion and earned more than $400 million in dividends per year, which he primarily invests into real estate in prime cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, London, Chicago, Miami, and New York.
In November 2021, the billionaire founder also entered the renewable energy sector by buying a 49% stake in a wind farm operated by Spanish energy group Repsol through his family investment company, Pontegadea, for 245 million euros ($280.70 million). In addition to 59.29% stake in Inditex and core business of real estate, Pontegadea has interests in energy infrastructure, with 5% stakes in Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica and gas utility Enagas.
La Fundacíon Amancio Ortega was set up in 2001. In 2015, Ortega donated $18 million towards screening and radiotherapy equipment for public healthcare in Galicia and Asturias.
In 2017, Ortega’s charitable foundation donated $344 million to purchase and supply the latest 290 of the latest machines in breast cancer screening technology for public hospitals across Spain.
The Amancio Ortega Foundation set a process in motion in March 2020 of purchasing medical material for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and donating it immediately to health centres around the country.
Born in Oslo, Mr. Solheim is a Norwegian diplomat well-known in the circles of international environment and development programmes. An active member of Norway’s Green Party, he has served parties, governments and international-level organisations.
Mr. Solheim was Norway’s Minister of the Environment and the Minister of International Development from 2005 to 2012. His commendable work during this period helped raise his name to the international level.
Seeing Mr. Solheim’s work as the Norwegian Minister of Environment, the United Nations chose him to lead its Environment Programme. From June 2016 to November 2018, the diplomat and former politician served as the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He has led many campaigns focusing on the environment and sustainable development. The vast experience gained over decades makes him perfect as a leader with a primary focus on execution.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
Mr. Solheim’s story as an advocate for ecological causes started at his college, where he studied history, sociology and political science. During his college years at the University of Oslo, he became the leader of the Socialist Youth. After serving for three years as the youth wing leader, he became the party secretary of the Socialist Left Party.
Seven years after graduating, he became the leader of the Socialist Left Party. It is rare to see a rise of a young leader becoming a political figure at a national level so quickly. In 1989, he was chosen by the people of Sør-Trøndelag and sent to the Parliament of Norway.
As time passed, Mr. Solheim kept gaining popularity in the politics of Norway. After the 1989 election, he was elected to the Parliament of Norway again in 1993 and 1997. The leader has been known for his fact-based solid opinions, even if they lead to criticism. On 17 October 2005, Mr. Solheim was appointed as the Minister of International Development as part of Stoltenberg’s Second Cabinet. Impressed by his work as the International Development Minister, the leadership of the national government appointed him as the Environment Minister on 18 October 2007.
ERIK SOLHEIM
STANDING UP FOR NATURE
True leaders manage to achieve their goals no matter what. Norwegian diplomat Erik Solheim is the perfect example of true leadership, as he has spearheaded many successful campaigns in his long career in politics, sustainable development, and environmental programs. His leadership skills has not only touched the lives of Norwegian citizens, but also of the people living in other parts of the world, like Sri Lanka, where he emerged as one of the most well-known peacemaking figures. The Green Leader is now actively working for environment
BY RICHA SANG
AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE MAKER
The leadership skills of Mr. Solheim touched the lives of not only Norwegian citizens, but also the people of Sri Lanka. In 2000, he was granted a leave of absence from the Norwegian Parliament to become a special advisor to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka. In the upcoming few years, he emerged as one of the most wellknown peacemaking figures in the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers.
LEAVING A MARK
No matter what political party, government or organisation he served, Mr. Solheim left his mark wherever he went. An active political figure, today organisations worldwide seek his advice on the matters of environment and sustainable development for his valuable thoughts. He has also written three critically acclaimed books: PolitikkErA Ville, Den Store Samtalen, and Naermere. Due to his extensive work for the environment and climate, he has been awarded with many prestigious awards.
Mr. Solheim’s list of awards include TIME Magazine’s ‘Hero of the Environment’ and the United Nations’ ‘Environment Champions of the Earth Award’. In October 2022, he returned to Sri Lanka after being appointed
by President Ranil Wickremesinghe
as his International Climate Advisor.
ADVISING ON GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS
Mr. Solheim has been a part of a few of the leading global organisations and governments, offering his advice for supporting sustainable investments and a greener economy. He is a member of Updapt, a Karnataka, India, based environmental, social and governance (ESG) technology company providing SaaS solutions to enterprises.
Mr. Solheim stated, “Whether it is reporting in line with any international standards or enhancement of sustainability performances, data quality and completeness is central to all. With the right technology tools, businesses can use ESG data to improve the impact and outcomes of ESG plans.” He would also execute the Nature Diversity Act that is considered as Norway’s most important piece of environmental legislation. In addition to his role in government and international development, Mr. Solheim served as UN Environment’s Special Envoy for Environment, Conflict and Disaster and a Patron of Nature for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the Under Secretary General of
“MR. SOLHEIM HAS BEEN A PART OF A FEW OF THE LEADING GLOBAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS. HE IS A MEMBER OF UPDAPT, A KARNATAKA, INDIA, BASED ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE TECHNOLOGY COMPANY PROVIDING SAAS
the United Nations Environment and Chair of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The leader is also a part of the Genevabased Green Hydrogen Organization, which has been founded to develop standards for green hydrogen. Further, he is a member of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED).
Mr. Solheim has mentored several leadership teams in their journey of solving core environment issues by building sustainability-led digital solutions for businesses in global markets. Likewise, the Government of Tamil Nadu has roped him in to advise it on climate matters, as it gets ready to launch the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission. The senior diplomat is a member of the Tamil Nadu Governing Council on Climate Change along with the ministers of electricity and transport. He would be advising on policy directives, climate adaptation and mitigation activities, approving Tamil Nadu State Action Plan on Climate Change, and guiding the State Climate Change Mission and District Climate Change Missions on implementation of various climate initiatives.
Guidance Tamil Nadu, the investment promotion agency of the Government of Tamil Nadu, and Geneva-based Green Hydrogen Organization will be signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) where Mr. Solheim will be responsible to bring in connections, investments and policy advice from abroad.
He, along with Ms. Soumya Swaminathan, Former Chief Scientist at the WHO; Ms. Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests; Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Renowed Economist; Mr. Ramesh Ramachandran, Founder-Director of National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management; and Mr. G. Sundarrajan, Coordinator, Poovulagin Nanbargal, would be advising the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission on policy directives.
Mr. Erik Solheim is optimistic about Tamil Nadu, as it has enormous opportunity to lead India and the world into a green future. The state has many ports, aims to be a powerhouse for renewable energies like offshore wind, green hydrogen and more, and have plans like increasing its tree cover from 23% to 33%. To him, it could also get benefitted by dealing in carbon credits.
SUDHIR GUPTA
LED BY PURE PASSION
An entrepreneur and a proud collector, creator and curator, Mr. Sudhir Gupta is also a Guinness World Record holder. The CEO of Eau De Luxe Ltd. — a New York based fragrance house specialising in niche and discontinued fragrances and skincare and cosmetics — is led by pure passion of collecting factices, which are oversized display bottles once made by perfume makers for promotions
BY JYOTI VERMA
Mr. Sudhir Gupta became a connoisseur by chance. He came across his passion by accident, but just then realised it to be a reason enough to drive him throughout his life. One of the rare few who get the chance to turn their passion into their vocation, Mr Gupta today has successful businesses that are out-of-the-box and still tied to bottles — from niche, discontinued fragrances to outstanding factices. Today, he has the biggest collection of factices in the world. His passion has not only driven him to make a world record, but also helped him accomplish his ventures, right from the fragrance house to the new store and museum. Committed to the preservation of these bottles, the entrepreneur aims to expand his projects to support his unique collection of factices.
Eau De Luxe initially explored the most exclusive boutique perfumeries producing some of the world’s most captivating scents. It was everything about niche and discontinued fragrances, but later diversified to skincare and cosmetics. Today, the online retail platform is devoted to selling luxury perfumes and skincare products for better value. Eaudeluxe. com comes with a great look focusing on simplicity, better navigation, and promotions on a daily basis and on special occasions.
Mr. Sudhir Gupta also runs a retail perfume store, Maison G, and a factice museum, Facticerie: The Factice Collection, which opened in Hackensack, New Jersey, in October.
The avid collector of oversized, customcrafted glass bottles manufactured by fragrance houses for purely marketing and display purposes believes that each of these bottles is an eternal expression of a lost art as unique as its fragrance. While pursuing these bottles, he also realised that as the retail fragrance industry was growing, these amazing replicas of iconic fragrance bottles were becoming rare artifacts, as perfume makers were no longer producing these labour of love. The realization set him on the path of preserving these bottles for the future generation of admirers. He made contact with antique dealers and auction houses all over the world to collect these glass bottles. Today, he has been successful in conserving more than 3,000 factices.
A COLLECTOR ALWAYS
Mr. Gupta moved to the United States from India in 1992. He only had an engineering degree and plans to work tirelessly in the US to earn money and study for a master’s degree. His goal was to build a future his humble background in India could not provide. To sustain himself in New York, he took up a low-paying, entry-level cleaning job in a perfume shop on Canal Street. As luck would have it, he came across a factice in the basement of the store. It was an oversized Nina Ricci L’Air du Temps perfume glass display bottle with ornately entwined frosted doves on top. The extraordinary bottle was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. The enchanted man was obsessed with possessing it and started saving money from his meek weekly paycheck of $200. He was finally able to pay the shop owner $2,000 to buy his first factice perfume bottle.
But then, the collector did not stop at just one bottle. The fascination of owning factices soon grew over him and he now needed a way to fund his passion. He moved on from the thought of accomplishing a master’s degree to buying and selling extraordinary, niche perfume brands from home, and used the profit to collect more factices.
BIGGEST LESSON OF LIFE
In 2008, Mr. Sudhir Gupta opened his first business, a retail store in Westchester, New York. The time of the Great Recession proved to be a bad time to launch any business. The shop had to close down, as Mr. Gupta could not pay his loans. But, he also refused to sell his factice collection to come out of debt, and instead decided to give the business another try. He took more loans and ventured into the wholesale perfume business.
Mr. Gupta worked relentlessly for his new
“LOOKING BACK ON HIS JOURNEY, THE LEADER HAS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS – TO FOLLOW THEIR PASSION. “ONLY PASSION CAN KEEP YOU GOING. FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS, DO NOT LOOK FOR RESULTS. YOU HAVE TO KEEP FAILING TO RISE AGAIN,” HE SAYS”
business, giving 80 to 120 hours a week. He was the only employee of his company, and so, bought the products, took their pictures, and catalogued them for sale. In due course, the sales of perfumes to wholesalers on online platforms reached $1 million, and he could finally hire more people and give power to his venture. He also made a name for himself through his niche business, as resellers and customers admired his
venture and difficult-to-find fragrances. Eau De Luxe took off with word of mouth and soon became the company recognised as one of the most successful companies in America by Inc. 500 five times in a row, from 2014 to 2018. This year, Eau De Luxe was recognised in the Inc. 500 Honor list. Looking back on his journey, the leader has one piece of advice for the young entrepreneurs – to follow their passion.
“Only passion can keep you going. Follow your dreams, do not look for results. You have to keep failing to rise again,” he says.
THE WORLD TITLE HOLDER
Mr. Gupta’s first collectible, the Nina Ricci L’Air du Temps factice has led to an exquisite collection of factices. The collection includes more than 1,400 rare and historic factice fragrance bottles valued up to $1,00,000 from world-renowned fragrance houses such as Hermès, Nina Ricci, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Gucci and others. The collection features a 1920s Caron urn, “Les Fontaines Baccarat,” from the estate of Madame Alexander, created by Baccarat, and estimated to be worth $1,00,000. The treasure also includes a PARERA Tentacion factice from 1927. One of only two in the
world, the other is on display at the Museu del Perfum in Barcelona. The oldest factice in the collection is a unique 1920s bottle for Gardenia by “the first American perfumer,” Richard Hudnut.
In September 2022, his rich collection of factices helped Mr. Gupta enter the Guinness World Records title for the largest collection of factices in the world. The honour was celebrated with a reception thrown at Bergdorf Goodman’s BG Restaurant, with guests such as Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu and official Guinness World Records adjudicator Michael Empric present. The restaurant was ornately decorated by Mercedes Acosta, the creative director of Facticerie: The Factice Collection.
More such occasions are expected, as Mr. Gupta vows to strengthen his collection
further. He believes that these bottles made throughout the 21st century by artisans of fragrance houses mostly based in France are part of our heritage. The collector and curator initially kept his exquisite collection private and safe at home, warehouses and other storage spaces.
This, however, changed in October, when the entrepreneur launched the perfume store Maison G and factice museum, Facticerie: The Factice Collection, in Hackensack, New Jersey. The objective of the exhibition space is to create awe for factices and drive sales at the store. It has been aesthetically designed for the tasteful collection using bits and pieces from the interior of the iconic Upper East Side pharmacy, Lascoff Drugs that closed in 2012 after 113 years in operation.
The pharmacy store was frequented by dignitaries like Albert Einstein. Mr. Gupta was able to retain all the wooden fixtures and cabinets of the store to maintain its old-time appeal and showcase his collection of bottles appropriately. Every time any admirer visits the store, the proud collector picks each of his acclaimed bottles affectionately and shares the story of its origin and journey to the collection.
NEW AVENUES OF BUSINESS
After launching a fragrance house, store and museum, Mr Sudhir Gupta now plans to re-launch his fragrance line, Ode Paris Love Potion. This range was launched in 2019 when he signed an exclusive one-year contract with Lord & Taylor — America’s first department store that is making a comeback as a modern-day digital collective store. However, the American retailer went out of business during the pandemic.
For the existing business, he plans to widen his marketing approach. Unlike his previous approach of marketing by word-of-mouth, he is keen to add social media marketing to attract Generation Z for promoting both his brands, Maison G and Ode Paris.
While the entrepreneur goes on an expansion spree, he has not shifted his focus from his passion of life. He still gets calls from antique houses and individuals in possession of factices world over to contribute to his collection. After giving 30 years of relentless service to these bottles, the man only has words of gratitude to everyone who was part of his amazing journey.
GLOBAL LEADER OF THE YEAR 2023
Born and brought up in Patna, India, Mr. Rahman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Applications from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi. ORO24 is his brainchild and he is highly passionate about the brand. Founded in the year 2021, ORO24 is a forward integrated real estate firm specializing in Developments, FacilitiesManagement and Investments, offering a unique combination of convenience and lifestyle at attractive prices, thereby catering to the needs of 21st-century home buyers.
ORO24’s headquarters is located on the popular Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. The avant-garde facility is uniquely designed to add experience, comfort and convenience for its employees’ and visitors. The name ‘ORO’ is inspired by the Italian word forgold and ‘24’ indicates the purest form of it. True to the inspiration, the brand is a seamless amalgamation of financial value engineering and innovative real estate solutions, presented with top-notch quality and service across its different business verticals of affordable housing, premium luxury, business parks, hospitality, and cohabitation assets.
AN OUTSTANDING ENTREPRENEUR
Mr. Rahman is known for his brilliant entrepreneurial skills. In his view, every business is a combination of vision, intention, courage and execution. Hisadvise to upcoming entrepreneurs is to remain focused and follow their hearts while establishing a system of transparency in their corporate affairs, forboth customers and employees. Through ORO24 Developments, he aspires to fulfil his dreams of building and delivering structures that will be cherished for a lifetime.
An avid learner, Mr. Rahman takes each day as a challenge to be able to progress and conquer. His goal is to utilize his expertiseof over two decades within the industry to make a noticeable difference in Dubai’s real estate market by leveraging modern technology through ORO24’s diversified platform.
The entrepreneur says, “We are positioned as a next gen tech-driven real estate business and have included technology in every possible avenue of our dealings. From incorporating BIM data into our designing process, we have also invested heavily in cyber security and ERP systems to create seamless and secured transaction module
ATIF RAHMAN
ON A WINNING STREAK
Mr. Atif Rahman, Founder and Chairman, ORO24 Real Estate Developments, is an eminent personality, well-recognized as an expert and thought leader in the UAE’s construction and real estate industry. A seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in the business world, ORO24 Real Estate Developments is the result of his grandeur vision of creating a people-sensitive corporation delivering value-based real estate solutions, thus, providing a gateway to customer’s ‘home sweet home’ dreams with bespoke experiences
BY MONALISA BISWAS
for our customers. Our headquarters is loaded with tech infrastructurefurther infused with Artificial intelligence (AI) to create unmatched consumer experience.”
DESIGNED TO SUCCEED
Innovation is the hallmark of ORO24 Real Estate Developments. Mr. Rahman has developed an in-house design strategy as part of his efforts to stay ahead of the competition. The company’s engineering department regularly updates its strategy for every project to ensure originality, hence creating new benchmarks. It is the leader’s core business objective to deliver quality and value to everyone associated with the company. Because of his robust commitment and goodwill garnered over the years, the brand ‘ORO24’ has been received exceptionally well by the consumers and market, which gives his team that extra motivation to continue growing in line with the company’s vision. Mr. Rahman’s love for the industry and his motivation to serve the society by pursuing excellence, delivering a sustainable real estate ecosystem, and creating admirable livelihood opportunities has been inheritedas a part of his familylineage. He spent his growing up years learning under the mentorship of his grandfather,
Mr. Mohammed Ataur Rahman, a Gold Medalist in Civil Engineering. He credits his beloved grandfather for inculcating in him the qualities of a well-rounded human being, besides passing on a formidable legacy and drive to explore the realty and construction industry. He fondly narrates that real estate plays a pivotal role in every human’s life, right from the time of their birth. The dynamics of combining boundless imagination and giving it a consistent contour captivates Mr. Rahman.
MILESTONES ACHIEVED
In his two plus decades of successful real estate and construction tenure,Mr. Rahman has efficaciously launched 27 diverse projects, delivering over AED 7.6 billion worth of sales, with approximately 10,100 unitssuccessfully soldto more than 150 nationalities. By developing ‘customerfriendly’ payment plans, the dynamic leader revolutionized the concept of affordable housing with enhanced functionalities in the UAE market.
From the construction perspective, his aim is to build ‘practical, smart and sustainable’ homes for families. His business is built around Products, Associated Services, Financial Engineering and Relationships. It’s a futuristic and
“MR. RAHMAN ENSURES THAT HIS REAL ESTATE PROJECTS OFFER FRESH, INNOVATIVE, VALUE-ENGINEERED PROPERTIES TO THE UAE AND OTHER TARGETED INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AS HE UPHOLDS HIS HIGH STANDARDS. HIS TEAM ALSO FOCUSES ON LEADING PREMIUM
FACILITY
MANAGEMENT SERVICES”
resilient business model built with the capability of facilitating diversified and innovative real estate solutions, locally and globally. ORO24 is built with the motto of being people-sensitive and governed by maintaining transparency and risk management policies. The company follows a decentralized organizational structure, delegating power to respective department heads, thus creating transformational leaders.
GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY
Mr. Rahman is a firm believer of giving back to society in every way possible. With a solitary thought of bringing a ‘positive’ change in the surroundings, the organization regularly conducts and supports CSR drives across the country.‘OROCares’ the CSR wing of the company works with different non-profit organizations within the UAE to support the under privileged.
This year during Ramadan, OROCares led ‘Smile in Ramadan’ campaign that supported the blue-collared workers employed in the region. On each day of the holy month, the initiative provided the workers a chance to connect with their loved ones back home and send Eid gifts, thus bringing a smile to their families.
Mr. Rahman is a cricket enthusiastand despite his busy schedulehe follows the game very closely.He often supports sports academies for better training and upliftment of the budding talent in the region
TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE
ORO24 is growing at a fast pace and in less than a year, the brand has already announced its infrastructure expansion with a second facility to provide an accelerating experience for the customers.
The future is promising for ORO24 Developments. The real estate industry is growing, and immense love is pouring in for the brand. In fact, the team is already working towards announcing the next project before the year end.The intent is to deliver a product having glocal outreach, therefore promising some unique, fresh and revolutionary offerings to the customers. Moving forward, ORO24 also plans to bring premium facility management options to its customers while tapping into its local experience with advanced tech incorporation into the design, construction, sale, and maintenance cycle
GLOBAL AFRICAN OF THE YEAR 2023
Dr. Mark Mabhudhu is a professional engineer armed with a B. Sc. (Hons) degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Zimbabwe. He has a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Studies (2000), an MBA from New Buckinghamshire Chilterns University (UK), and a Master of Philosophy (Information and Knowledge Management) degree (Stellenbosch, 2008). He is currently working on completing his DBA degree. In addition, Dr. Mabhudhu holds a D. Eng. Metallurgical Engineering (Honoris Causer) from Commonwealth University in collaboration with the London Graduate School of Business (2022).
A professional with vast knowledge and rich experience, it is not possible to mention the global mining industry and not take his name. He has almost three decades of experience in this sector. Most of his experience has been with new mining operations from inception, for example, Auridiam Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd’s River Ranch Diamond Mine, BHP Minerals (Pvt) Ltd’s Hartley Platinum, Diamond operations in Botswana, and the ZCDC’s Chiadzwa Diamond Mines. He has also done significant work across the globe, in countries like Angola, DRC, and RSA on brownfield diamond projects across the diamond value chain as well as in countries like the UAE (Dubai), Belgium, England, Israel, India, and the USA.
Dr. Mabhudhu is one of the few diamonds industry leaders who have witnessed the Kmberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) develop from its foundation years in the early 2000’s to its current form and state to date.
SETTING NEW BENCHMARKS
Dr. Mabhudhu was roped in as the new CEO at ZCDC in September 2020 with his tasks chalked out. The organisation was in a dire state financially, operations had stopped, and employees had gone for nearly seven months without being paid salaries. Dr. Mabhudhu was faced with the herculean task of getting the organisation back on its feet.
Under his aegis, ZCDC has now become one of those state-owned organisations that are performing extraordinarily well. It is his unwavering hard work that made the company exceed the diamond production targets by 300% – a clear demonstration of leading from the front. He also incorporated several new initiatives that further enhanced
DR. MARK MABHUDHU
LEADING A NEW BEGINNING
Dr. Mark Mabhudhu is a leader who needs no introduction in the mining and metallurgy industry. He has spent over three decades in the sector and has seen every possible growth phase. He has led several initiatives and spearheaded many prestigious projects. With his determination and hard work, he has managed to become an unquestionable leader in the industry. A learned scholar and a renowned name in the field of metallurgy, he is currently serving as the CEO of Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company Private Limited (ZCDC)
BY SONAM GULATI
the business performance. A new-age stateof-the-art ore processing plant with remote security surveillance system that include drone surveillance technology, as well as integrated CCTV monitoring, resulted in zero security breaches and zero diamond pilferage incidents. These milestones resulted in ZCDC performing extraordinarily well in 2022 and all is set to achieve its targets for the coming years.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Dr. Mabhudhu has been recognised for his hard work many times. He won special recognition for outstanding optimism, patience, understanding, and bravery under stress at the Megafest National Business Awards in 2020. He was chosen the ‘CEO of the Year’ under multiple categories. He was also named ‘Zimbabwe CEO’s Network Outstanding Public Sector Leader and Outstanding Leader in Business.’ In 2021, he was also chosen the ‘Outstanding CEO of the Year.’ He has been featured in CEOs Network’s Top 20 Outstanding Leaders in Business Category. These are just a few awards that Dr. Mabhudhu has won for his business ethics, professionalism, and vision.
LEADER OF THE PEOPLE
For the past three decades, Dr. Mabhudhu
has been diligently serving in the mining industry. He has witnessed the industry going through different phases and has been an active part of the progress. As he grew in ranks, he found himself leading new projects and initiatives. He has seen many new projects from start to finish.
Dr. Mabhudhu believes that people management is the hallmark of successful organisational management. To him, a leader must excel in people management to achieve the desired goals. One of his key differentiating skills as a leader is also people management. As a CEO, the biggest challenge one can face is to bring in the right talent to the organisation, and this Dr. Mabhudhu has overcome through people management. He has in fact excelled in this department and that is attested by the resounding success of the organisation.
Dr. Mabhudhu’s communication style is open and transparent. He thrives on making sure that the employee base fully understands where the organisation wants to go in terms of its vision and aspiration. He ensures he has a solid relationship with his colleagues and employees. As a CEO, he does everything to ensure he is approachable, and every team member, regardless of their level in the organisation, finds him accessible. Sound decision-making
“DR. MABHUDHU HAS BEEN A PART OF MANY INITIATIVES TO ASSIST SCHOOLS. HE HAS EQUIPPED SCHOOLS WITH BUILDING MATERIALS TO FIX DILAPIDATED CLASSROOM BLOCKS AND PURCHASE COVID-19 RELATED MATERIALS FOR CHILDREN IN AFFECTED SCHOOLS”
capacity is one of the most coveted skills for any leader, and Dr. Mabhudhu believes that he has brought that successfully to ZCDC. Through his distinct leadership style, he brings maturity, stability, and overall positivity to the whole organisation.
WORKING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Dr. Mabhudhu has an insatiable drive to fulfil his goals. He derives inspiration from people who achieve success through sheer hard work, innovation, and commitment to the cause. In his case, his cause is not only a successful business, but also improving the quality of life of the general population. He has charted out his path for himself where he leads various initiatives that result in the greater good of society and not just the business.
At a personal level, although bound by the limitation of resources, Dr. Mabhudhu has been a part of many initiatives to assist schools in the areas where he went for his primary and secondary education. His other social initiatives have included equipping schools with building materials to fix dilapidated classroom blocks and joining up with old classmates to purchase COVID-19 related materials for school children in affected schools. Such initiatives might be modest but they touched the hearts of many.
Dr. Mabhudhu also leads numerous initiatives at ZCDC for the long-term benefit of the communities in which the company does business. He believes it is the responsibility of the organisation to take great care of these communities. His approach is to make sure that as a company ZCDC is unflinchingly focused on community empowerment initiatives.
These initiatives include local enterprise development, health, education, infrastructural development, and general care for the disadvantaged. Under his leadership, the company has committed up to 10% of its revenue to community development initiatives. As a company, ZCDC has also developed a community-based consumables buying framework whereupon all their edibles are sourced locally. This has created a co-existing ecosystem where even the local businesses benefit from the big companies.
Dr. Mabhudhu envisions a great future for ZCDC Pvt. Ltd, where it emerges as a worldclass diamond producer for the long-term benefit of the nation, and he is right on the path to achieving this goal.
GLOBAL LEADER OF THE YEAR 2023
Mr. Gautam Boda, Vice-Chairman and MD, J.B. Boda Group joined the family business in the year 1994. His constant efforts and unwavering determination towards the company’s success earned him the rank of ViceChairman.
J.B. Boda Group, a renowned name in insurance & reinsurance broking, was started by Mr. Gautam Boda’s grandfather late Mr. Jagmohandas Bhagwandas Boda, together with his brother, Late Mr. Dhirajlal Bhagwandas Boda, way back in 1943. They started this business when reinsurance broking was unheard of in India. Both founders worked diligently to build a legacy from scratch. Under their powerful vision, the J.B. Boda Group has established itself as a pioneer of reinsurance broking in India by insuring the Professional Indemnity (P&I) policy of engineers on behalf of the Indian Insurance Company.
Since Mr. Gautam Boda joined the company, his responsibility has been in driving sustainable business growth, devising group strategy, and guiding to execute, explore and evaluate new areas of opportunities. He has around 28 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry and is an eminent risk management consultant. A distinguished thought leader, he has extensive experience in broking, risk management, and other allied services. At the Boda Group, he has also been instrumental in managing the Group’s branding and global marketing initiatives. Under his supervision, the company has seen tremendous growth and success in brand building. His strategic vision and ability to think outside the box have been instrumental in taking the company to new heights. The organisation, in its business activities, is currently associated with over 550 insurance and reinsurance companies in more than 90 countries.
A CONSISTENT DRIVE TO IMPROVE
Mr. Boda is known to have an insatiable drive to do better. It is his permanent zeal to constantly improve his work and conduct. In his view, being a leader is a huge responsibility towards his people and, thus, is a never-ending process. He always lends a willing ear to any feedback his team might have for him. It is, in fact, one of his biggest strengths the way he is able to adapt to changing circumstances, an attribute that greatly distinguishes him as a leader.
GAUTAM B. BODA
EXPERTISE WITH HUMILITY
Mr. Gautam Boda is a true example of building a business through strength, patience, and humbleness. Joining the family business and not being overshadowed by its legacy is a commendable feat. He has shone like a beacon of freshness in the business started by his grandfather many decades ago. His story outlines the perseverance and importance of traditional virtues in the modern era of start-up culture. A staunch believer of team work, he believes in motivating everyone around and working together towards a common goal
BY SONAM GULATI
He also puts a great deal of importance on creativity and humility in a leader. “To be able to inspire is essential for effective and inspirational leadership.” He strongly believes that teamwork is the most important component of any successful business. He is a strong team player who believes in motivating everyone around and working together towards a common goal.
As a leader, he never fails to encourage his team members and ensures that they do not get burdened by failures and mistakes. In his team, everything is an opportunity to grow and learn. It has been a long road but for him, the rewards have been sweet. This allows him to lead by example in different situations. The recognition that J.B. Boda has received globally has been immensely gratifying for Mr. Boda and everyone at the company. Under his leadership, the Group has continued to build upon the legacy created by the founders. For Mr. Boda, this success has been driven by personal involvement. He has ensured that the family legacy is carried forward without any compromise on the core ethics and values.
During his tenure with the Group, Mr. Boda established the Ports & Terminal Vertical, Employee Benefit Vertical, Empanelment of the Group with international insurers or reinsurers for designing or supporting
complex global programmes of MNCs in India, groomed the Group’s leaders, set up a specialised team to cater to the requirements of Indian companies who are investing globally, partnered with International Brokers across the globe for MNC exposure in India, and developed various technology platforms. He also introduced the Risk Management Society to India. He took knowledge-sharing initiatives such as in-house publications and webinars, and has been the guest speaker at various events. He has gone out of his way to contribute towards the company’s expansion and diversity. His efforts have also been recognised by the industry time and again. As a testimony to his in-depth knowledge & vision, he is appointed to be the Board of Directors for the largest independent insurance brokers network, Assurex Global and also the Chairman of Asia Pacific Region (APAC) for over 11 years. He was invited to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Committee on Insurance and Pensions, to undertake constructive dialogue with the Government and the Regulators for the creation of a conducive regulatory environment for the growth of the Insurance and Pensions Sectors. He was also invited as the first Indian broker to speak and partner with the German Insurance Industry.
“HIS STRATEGIC VISION AND ABILITY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN TAKING THE COMPANY TO NEW HEIGHTS. THE ORGANISATION, IN ITS BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, IS CURRENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH OVER 550 INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE COMPANIES IN MORE THAN 90 COUNTRIES”
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
In 2019, Mr. Boda was conferred with the CNA Award for being a valued partner and for showing excellence in International Solutions. He was also awarded the ‘Indian Achiever’s Award’ for Business Leadership in 2021.
He has been featured in some of the finest publications in the insurance and business fraternity such as Asia Insurance Review and Leader’s Edge Magazine. He was also featured in the special ‘Collector’s Edition’ of the magazine Passion Vista
All these industry awards and mentions only affirm his strengths as a leader and his dedication towards not only his business, but the whole industry.
Mr. Boda is also a committed philanthropist and has been a consistent supporter of many charitable institutions. The J.B. Boda Group has been a staunch supporter of the environment, and through the in-house CSR wing, has been contributing to the betterment of society since its inception.
TOWARDS AN EXCITING FUTURE
Mr. Boda’s vision for the Group is to become the preferred partner for various stakeholders across the board from clients, insurers, reinsurers, surveyors, and all stakeholders. In the near future, he sees consistent growth for the J.B. Boda Group. He is hoping to gain market share as they look into expanding the product offerings. The journey has truly just begun and with the ever-expanding product portfolio, the future is exciting for Mr. Boda and his team.
STANDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
Respect for others, professionalism, and fairness are at the heart of everything Mr. Boda does. Humility fosters authenticity and a never-ending desire to learn and Mr. Boda’s childhood was rife with these lessons in humility and being true to one’s virtues. These characteristics were the foundation of his personality and he has taken them with him throughout his professional journey. The values learned early on in life have resulted in better outcomes for him and his entire team.
Mr. Boda is a humble person who does not seek any recognition or fame for his good deeds. He believes that it is our duty to help others in need and he does so with a caring and thoughtful attitude. As a leader, he believes that he has a huge responsibility to the community and he takes it very seriously.
Mr. Lal Abdul Salam is a great example of how hard work and patience can take you places. He is an accomplished entrepreneur who has carved a niche for himself and paved the way for others as well.
Hailing from the quaint village of Kannanallur in Kollam, Kerala, Mr. Salam attained a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam. After completing his education, he began his professional journey in Kerala. He started at the bottom-most rung as a Junior Engineer at Kerala State Pollution Board and after gaining four years of work experience, he moved to Abu Dhabi to work as a Sales Engineer at Testron International.
In the UAE, Mr. Salam moved gradually up the ladder and worked at many organisations. One of the longest stints of his career was at the Abu Dhabi Pipe Factory where he spent around 14 years. This experience was vital in shaping the next decade of his career. At present, he is the CEO and Managing Director of Smithline Reinforced Composites in Ras Al Khaimah. Smithline is an industry leader in fiberglass pipes and fittings, and his previous experience have earned him a coveted role in the company. His role has been instrumental in the company’s growth.
Mr. Salam brings a certain uniqueness to the table and that’s what makes him different from other leaders. He believes that a team that works together and is on the same page is better positioned than others to grow. This is the reason he always believes in taking his co-workers into confidence for any field of application that he might be planning. He has successfully developed a new technology of composite pipe manufacturing with topology concepts, which are indeed adding great value in upholding technological changes for the future. Under corporate social responsibility (CSR), he diversified business activities by implementing proper waste management. He also created an innovative new methodology for manufacturing nonmetallic as an alternative to the metallic product, which reduces the carbon footprint to half.
Another important trait that has taken Mr. Salam places is his honesty and uprightness. He has worked as an employee for over two decades and learned a lot of lessons along the way. The most important lesson has been gaining the trust and confidence of clients and co-workers. He has held these virtues in the highest place and it has helped
LAL ABDUL SALAM
CREATING HIS OWN STORY
Mr. Lal Abdul Salam is an inspiration to many. Hailing from a small village in Kollam, Kerala, he has come a long way. As the CEO and Managing Director of Smithline Composites, he leads many new innovative business practices. Mr. Salam is passionate about building an equitable, sustainable community, and is working diligently for it. His efforts and passion have been recognised many times all over the industry. His new-age initiatives are also a testament to the fact that every entrepreneur has to move with the times
BY SONAM GULATI
him carve a name for himself in the industry.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Mr. Salam and his efforts as a virtuous entrepreneur have been recognised in the industry many times. Under his vision, Smithline has been honoured by the Abu Dhabi Municipality and chosen to be a part of the team of the 2030 vision of Abu Dhabi. They are also a part of the Green Energy Team of Sharjah Electricity and Water.
The manufacturing methodology that Mr. Salam has pioneered at Smithline has won many accolades, including a mention in the JEC Composite Magazine – a worldrenowned composite industry publication. He was named the ‘Best Businessman 2022’ at the World Wide Achievers Forum conducted by the Global Media Hub in the UAE. In 2022, he won the Master Vision International Excellence Award, and the prestigious Golden Achievement Award held in Dubai in association with the Kerala Chamber of Commerce & Industry, presenting a strong testimony of his leadership skills and vision for the industry.
A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE LEADER
The underlying idea behind all of Mr. Salam’s endeavours has been to create an ecosystem that is sustainable and does not
compromise on the needs of the current or future generations. “To meet the needs of the present generations without compromising the needs of the future generations,” has been the motto and vision that leads all his initiatives. He has always tried to follow the principle of ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle’ while creating new technologies and solutions for manufacturing.
Some other ways in which Mr. Salam has made a social impact is by playing an active role in building an inclusive society. He ensures diversity in the workforce, works with local communities as much as possible, and takes appropriate measures to reduce the environmental impact of the industry. He has worked diligently to implement a sustainability practice at Smithline Composites in a way that it has managed to significantly reduce its carbon emissions.
“To improve the quality of life of the community we serve has been our motto,” he shares. During the COVID-19 outbreak, he and his team optimised the use of resources, lowered the cost of operations, and increased employee productivity. The strategy not only created an increased investor interest and a subsequent rise in the output, but also led to the kind of corporate governance Mr. Salam had tried to introduce.
“MR. SALAM HAS MADE A SOCIAL IMPACT BY PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. HE ENSURES DIVERSITY IN THE WORKFORCE, WORKS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND TAKES APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO REDUCE THE
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT OF THE INDUSTRY ”
The sustainability practice involved reducing emissions and creating value from waste, which proved to help the business overall and not only the environment. His multi-pronged approach has always been appreciated by the business community. Today, Mr. Salam is known for his farsightedness and vision for overall growth and prosperity for everyone.
ON THE PATH FOR FUTURE GROWTH
Mr. Salam is passionate about what he does and he wants to take it forward with a certain zeal. He envisions an even stronger business that faces the competition headon and gets the better of them. He wants to build a resilient business that achieves superior returns without compromising on quality or client satisfaction.
In terms of business, Mr. Salam is looking to build a sustainable future. He wants to achieve this by gradually transitioning from metallic to non-metallic composites all to be in line with international standards. This approach will help him build the sustainability that he wants. The nonmetallic composites offer more durability than the metallic composites, and are better for the environment, as they reduce the company’s carbon footprint, all at lower operational cost.
The attention to detail in Mr. Salam’s business plans is a clear demonstration of his passion as an entrepreneur and substantiates the fact that he has a very lucid vision not only for his business, but also for the community. His futuristic bent of mind is laudable and so is his commitment to the business.
AN ARDENT BELIEVER OF WORK-LIFE INTEGRATION
As the Sun sets, Mr. Salam is just another homebody who likes to spend time with his wife and two children. Leaders like him who are grounded in their roots are inspirational for all budding entrepreneurs. He proves that patience, determination, and an eyeon-the-goal attitude are all non-negotiable for eventual success in any field.
Mr. Salam’s new-age initiatives are also a testament to the fact that every entrepreneur has to move with the times. Embracing technology and building something beneficial for the whole community is not only a goal, but at times a responsibility for large business owners. His efforts to build a sustainable future are truly commendable.
GLOBAL LEADER OF THE YEAR 2023
It is said that being an entrepreneur means signing up for new challenges almost every day. It is the sum of extreme hard work combined with patience and never-ending perseverance. To see a venture from its very beginning, when it is practically nothing, and be able to envision what it can be, is something only passionate people can do.
Mr. Mukesh Thakwani is one of the passionate souls who started a journey with a vision and a goal in mind. He put his heart and soul into converting that vision into a reality, and accomplished all what but even more than he had set out to do. With forward being the only motion, Mr. Thakwani is still working diligently to take his vision higher and higher.
A DREAM TAKES SHAPE
Born and brought up in India, Mr. Thakwani started travelling to a lot of West African countries like Liberia, Togo and Benin early in his career. He gathered rich business expertise from his various travels and professional stints across West Africa since 1988. He chose Ghana to be his base and started B5 Plus in a small office with a few people on his team. Under his astute leadership, B5 Plus has grown with strength to where it is today. Today, the company deals with a wide range of iron and steel products, including mild steel, galvanised steel, iron rods, stainless steel, roofing and nails, among others. Mr. Thakwani has also led the development of one of the largest, strategic, state-of-theart steel manufacturing plants in Africa. His dedication to working towards African industrialization is akin to a revolution that he is leading.
His professional journey has always been powered by a strong yearning to promote entrepreneurship across the West African sub-region. B5 Plus Ltd is a steel manufacturing company in Ghana and under Mr. Thakwani’s leadership, it has become one of the most prominent steel and iron manufacturing companies in the country. Today, B5 Plus exports to 15 West African countries, including Togo, Benin, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia Freetown, and Nigeria. Mr. Thakwani is now looking to expand the base to the whole West African market. “I am really looking forward to taking this venture to the next level,” he shared.
MUKESH THAKWANI
BUILDING A RICH LEGACY
Mr. Mukesh Thakwani, CEO, B5 Plus is a name that resonates with power, diligence, grit and vision. He is the man behind one of the biggest steel manufacturing companies in Ghana, which he started from scratch. With his heart in the right place and eyes on the prize, he took this huge journey of building a legacy that is transforming the economy of the country. With over 32 years of experience in the region’s steel industry, Mr. Thakwani is regarded by many admirers and colleagues as the Doyen of West Africa’s steel industry
BY SONAM GULATI
BECOMING THE ‘DOYEN’
“Doyen,” which broadly means veteran or an old-timer, is what Mr. Thakwani is often referred to as in the industrial circles of West Africa. From being a newbie ex-pat to a doyen, Mr. Thakwani has undertaken quite a journey.
If asked what has taken him this far, he credits the way he conducts business with his customers. His customers are his most valued assets, and he is always focused on giving them top-quality with the best service. “My customers are always my first priority,” he added.
From a very modest beginning in 2002, B5 Plus has now become one of the premier steel industries in the West African region, all thanks to Mr. Thakwani’s relentless work. He has been an inspiration to the entire entrepreneurship community all over the world. The excellence and commitment of all his employees, his innovative approach, and his overall conduct has helped him realise his vision of being the best in a very short span of time.
WHAT MAKES A LEADER
Mr. Thakwani is a leader par excellence and he believes that to lead effectively, one must possess certain qualities. The qualities that he recommends for all leaders are –
to listen effectively, be industrious, have a problem- solving mindset, and to never underestimate the power of common sense combined with a perceptive mind.
Mr. Thakwani has laid the foundation of B5 Plus with some core values like enhancement, honesty, integrity and transparency. All these values are deeply embedded in each employee and everyone collectively as well as individually strives to serve their customers with these values at heart. His tenacity and courage are almost infectious and the way he conducts business is hugely inspirational to anyone he meets.
Mr. Thakwani is a sharp leader with a great risk appetite. He has also moulded his team to have a high tolerance for risk and work resolutely against great odds. If there are challenges they cannot overcome, they are always ready to start again – such is the prowess of this leader and the faith his team has in him.
REAPING THE FRUITS OF HARD WORK
Mr. Thakwani’s pursuit of excellence and his quest for perfection has taken him places. Everywhere he went he has left a lasting impression. In his professional journey, he has scaled many milestones and has been recognised many times for his hard work
“ THE QUALITIES THAT I RECOMMEND FOR ALL LEADERS ARE – TO LISTEN EFFECTIVELY, BE INDUSTRIOUS, HAVE A PROBLEM-SOLVING MINDSET, AND NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF COMMON SENSE COMBINED WITH A PERCEPTIVE MIND. ”
and zealous conduct.
He was awarded the prestigious European Award for Quality and Excellent Services award in 2013. In 2015, he was chosen the West African Personality of the Year by The Business Executive magazine, a leading international magazine in West Africa.
In 2016, he was chosen as the Industrialist of the Year award at the Ghana Entrepreneur and Corporate Executive Awards. In 2018, he was chosen the Most Reputed CEO of the Year by Ghana Investment Promotion Center. His entrepreneurship skills and B5 Plus’s excellent services have won many accolades from reputed organisations and communities.
Mr. Thakwani is also a firm believer in giving back to society. He has always tried to make a difference in society by generously creating opportunities for everyone. According to him, there is a direct relationship between the sustainability of a business and the overall development of society. Mr. Thakwani has been involved in many initiatives through B5 Plus to make society a better place.
Mr. Thakwani is blessed with the benevolence and generosity of a saint and supports multiple NGOs that are working for the cause of education and health in Ghana. He also spearheads several initiatives under the B5 Plus Care Foundation through which he contributes to the well- being of underprivileged children in Ghana. Education has been a cause Mr. Thakwani is passionate about and that is why he led the establishment of DPS International Ghana in 2010. Under his mentorship and with his financial support, the school has become one of the top schools in Ghana.
Mr. Thakwani’s phenomenal achievements in a short span of time are a testament to the fact that with the right values and hard work, anything is possible. Entrepreneurs are key drivers of any economy and business leaders like Mr. Thakwani are responsible for a lot of wealth generation and job creation which are all crucial for any economy to grow.
A confident, passionate and enthusiastic leader, Mr. Thakwani brings a certain spirit to all his endeavours. Since his first endeavour as an early teen in West Africa, he is committed to creating something that supports many individuals. He is not just living his dream of becoming a successful businessman, but also helping many others realise their dream of a secure future.
FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR 2023
Dr. Tiwari was born and brought up in Lucknow. He came to Delhi as a dreamy-eyed boy who wanted to make it big. While he did have large ambitions, he also always remained grounded.
During his professional journey, Dr. Tiwari worked with several big brands such as M-Pesa (by Vodafone) and Suvidha Infoserve – another fintech company – as a sales professional. In these stints, he gained an unmatched perspective of the market and where the gaps lay. Working directly with retailers made him aware of the market from the inside out. He had many ideas on how the trade could be made better for both customers and retailers and that is how the idea of his own company was seeded in his mind.
Dr. Tiwari knew that the market was already crowded with many fintech companies, but he had something in mind that was not done before. He waited a few years till the market was ready for what he was proposing. He continued to work at many leading brands for 15 years and after that, he finally took a plunge into entrepreneurship to start Spay India.
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
A man of few words, Dr. Tiwari focused all his energies into building Spay India. He waited for the market to be fully digitized and online payments to be mainstream and then began building his dream venture. Dr. Tiwari along with his co-founder Mr. Sunil Dhawan started building Spay India with a common aspiration – to be the best service provider in the fintech industry.
As the market was rife with many different players, each offering its own distinguished services, Dr. Tiwari built a clear strategy for Spay India. He decided to focus on the migrant population and other underserved sections of the economy. Spay India is built on the premise that it will cater to this audience and offer innovative solutions that will benefit them.
Many people in the country’s lower middle and lower class are unbanked. Spay India enables money transfers to these people. It has built a massive network of distributors, working at a community level and not depending entirely on technology to improve their financial condition.
Over time Spay India has added many such solutions that have made life easier for the underserved sections. Its range of services includes money transfers, Aadhar-enabled
DR. NIKHILESH TIWARI
A FINTECH SUCCESS STORY
Dr. Nikhilesh Tiwari started Spay India in 2018. While the market was mature with multiple players in the race, Mr. Tiwari had a niche that he wanted to cater to. He wanted to focus on the underserved. Spay India is focused on bringing customised solutions to the rural market. Through his venture, Dr. Tiwari has made efforts towards accomplishing an equilibrium in the mobile payments’ sector and helping the rural population enjoy the perks of going cashless. He now wants to expand Spay’s reach to every Indian city, town, and village
BY SONAM GULATI
payment systems, utility bill payments, travel, recharge, and insurance, to name a few.
Since the beginning, Dr. Tiwari has followed one principle, which is to offer services where customers need them, when they need and in whatever manner they need them. All his solutions have been designed with the customer in mind and with an aim to make their lives simpler.
Dr. Tiwari put all lessons learned as an employee to good use when he became an entrepreneur. He saw a lot of gaps in the trade in his days as a salesperson and with Spay India he decided to work on those. At Spay, he trained his team to understand the consumer’s language and recognise what the retailers want. There is a certain balance that he wanted to create in the market with Spay.
With his vast knowledge of the trade, the entrepreneur has managed to build a strong network of agents and merchants spread far and wide in rural areas and who are all working to provide a seamless experience to all Spay customers.
Dr. Tiwari’s biggest strength is his undeterred focus and his unwavering dedication to his goals. As a leader, he stands out as he is using his venture to bring about change. For him, Spay India has always been
about bringing financial inclusion to the people who have been ignored thus far. This is clearly indicated in the kind of services he has been offering over the years, such as micro-ATMs, domestic money transfers, PoS, and more.
MARCHING AHEAD
Under Dr. Tiwari’s perceptive leadership, Spay India has grown to be an awardwinning fintech company with incredible success. Even during the pandemic when most businesses suffered the wrath of an unprecedented global shutdown, the entrepreneur managed to stay afloat without any layoffs and continued steady growth.
Under his leadership, Spay India has grown to become one of India’s fastestgrowing fintech companies. It boasts of a strong national presence with more than 25,000 branches which has enabled it to reach a coveted milestone of over Rs. 1,000 crore in transactions on a monthly basis. In just a few years, Spay India has become one of the ‘Top 10 Fintech Companies of India’ in a list curated by the business publication CIO Insights
Till last year, the company had already served over 16 million customers and crossed an annual revenue of Rs. 100 crore; this is a strong testimony to its hold on the
“INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT ARE AHEAD OF THE CURVE, A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE CUSTOMER, AND LISTENING INTENTLY TO WHAT THEY WANT HAS BEEN THE REASON FOR THE UNMATCHED SUCCESS OF MR. TIWARI AND HIS VENTURE SPAY INDIA”
market.
The main reason that this growth can be attributed to is the determination and vision of Dr. Tiwari. He has ensured that every transaction is smooth and gives an excellent customer experience. Innovative solutions that are ahead of the curve, a deep understanding of the customer, and listening intently to what they want has been the reason for the unmatched success of Dr. Tiwari and his venture Spay India.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Dr. Tiwari’s zealous leadership has gotten Spay India to the big leagues in just a few years of inception. Under his leadership, the company has achieved multiple milestones. Apart from being named as one of the Top 10 Fintech Companies, Spay India was also included in the Top 20 BFSI Companies for the years 2021-22 by CEO Magazine
Dr. Tiwari, on the other hand, has been named in the ‘Top 40 Under 40 Leaders’ by the Times Group and ‘Most Iconic CEO of the Year’ by Mid-Day magazine in Dubai. The Founder and CEO of Spay India was also awarded as the Young and Dynamic Fintech Entrepreneur of the Year at India Iconic Awards 2021-22. His commitment to financial inclusion has earned him an undisputable top spot in the fintech industry.
A first-generation entrepreneur, with no background in business or any extravagant degrees, Dr. Tiwari has managed to make a dent in a crowded sector only with the help of his honest work and determination. He might have seemed like an underdog in the beginning, but he has managed to turn things around and how.
For him, the journey has just begun. Dr. Tiwari and his team are looking at a bright and action-packed future for Spay India. They have lots of plans and new ideas in their pockets to make Spay India one of the most renowned names in the fintech industry. For now, Dr. Tiwari wants to expand Spay’s reach to every corner of India’s tier 4 and 5 cities, towns, and rural areas. He wants to build a network of millions of exclusive stores – each of them operating as a mini bank for his customers.
This may sound far-fetched now, but every novel idea is just an idea before it becomes a reality. A dream takes shape and with persistent hard work and grit, it is transformed into a reality. Dr. Tiwari’s vision is clear and he has been charting his own route to success.
It has often been said that good things come to those who wait, but, in reality, even greater things come to those who work determinedly and relentlessly. The story of Mr. Niren Anand, Founder and Managing Director, Evertrade India is of perseverance and hard work. It is an inspiring journey that will move aspiring entrepreneurs globally for years to come.
Mr. Anand belongs to a simple middleclass family. He was born and brought up in the small city of Darbhanga in Bihar. After completing his education, he armed himself with a specialised degree in footwear design from Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI).
Mr. Anand’s keen interest in sports took him to work for the renowned sports merchandise company Yonex. He then went on to work for Singapore-based Sports Ultimate Private Limited. He gained rich experience in sports footwear manufacturing and marketing, and decided to venture out on his own. He established his first venture Evertrade Group in China in 2011.
Evertrade Group is a prominent footwear design and manufacturing company. Under Mr. Anand’s leadership, it has become a renowned name in the B2B circle, and many leading brands have associated with it. Owing to Mr. Anand’s keen interest in sports since childhood, his venture also has a specialised focus on sports footwear.
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
Evertrade has been scaling new milestones since its inception. Apart from being one of the few successful India-owned ventures based out of China, Evertrade has also been the first-ever factory to be approved by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Mr. Anand has also ensured that his company stands apart not only because of the high-quality products that they manufacture, but also because of the organisation’s ethos, values, and best practices. He ensures that only the most high-end technology and machinery are used to produce world-class products.
It was not an easy achievement for a native Indian to move to China and start a business there from scratch. With no knowledge of the local language or the business community, Mr. Anand set out on the mission to build a brand that reflects his passion as well as affinity to sports.
NIREN ANAND
BUILDING A LEGACY
An accomplished international footwear designer and entrepreneur, Mr. Niren Anand has been known to lead a humble life. He has built a successful brand from scratch in a new land with no knowledge of how things work there. From learning the local language to mastering the ways of business, he has done it all. He has truly carved a name for himself and built a lasting legacy. The new-age ambitious entrepreneur with matchless business acumen after crafting his way to success in China is now repeating the success story in India
BY SONAM GULATI
“It was the best decision I ever made,” he says.
Another notable feat that Mr. Anand has to his credit is that at Evertrade, 80 percent of employees are women – a commendable effort by him to ensure employability for more women. “Our aim is to make women more empowered and financially independent,” he shares.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
The brand he has built has won many accolades from the community and industry organisations. It won the ‘Excellence Brand’ award in China by the Brand Association of China’s Import & Export Department. At the Odisha Conclave held in 2022, Mr. Anand was a Guest of Honor. One of India’s renowned manufacturing magazines Machine Maker featured Mr. Anand on its cover page and in a book written on various Indian manufacturers.
For his undeterred efforts and commitment, he was appointed Senior Advisor at UNCTAD India. He was also nominated for the HIERRA Award that is presented by Empretec to High Impact Entrepreneurs. Empretec is UNCTAD’s program for India that promotes entrepreneurial competencies in start-ups, scale-ups, and stakeholders.
SETTING AN EXAMPLE
Being an Indian-origin businessman in China puts a huge responsibility on Mr. Anand. He represents the country in a foreign land and his efforts will eventually get translated into fostering the Indo-China relationship and promoting Indian culture. Mr. Anand takes this responsibility very seriously. Over the last decade, he has built strong ties with the local community in China and carved a niche for himself in the country.
Mr. Anand always offers a glimpse of India’s culture and festivals by organising events locally. Evertrade sponsored an Indian classical music event for the very first time in Xiamen in collaboration with the Consulate General of India, Guangzhou, Philippines and Thailand. The event garnered immense praise from the Minister and Chairman of the China Council of Industry and Trade. In 2018, Mr. Anand organised ‘Diwali Meet’ on the medical campus of Xiamen University and a Holi event at the charity market in 2019. These efforts collate into a much larger movement to form a strong foundation for Indians in China and to sensitise the Chinese about the Indian culture and values.
Mr. Anand is fully committed to working for the upliftment of rural communities and
“AT EVERTRADE, 80 PERCENT OF EMPLOYEES ARE WOMEN –WHICH IS A COMMENDABLE EFFORT BY MR. ANAND TO ENSURE EMPLOYABILITY FOR MORE WOMEN. “OUR AIM IS TO MAKE WOMEN MORE EMPOWERED AND FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT,” HE SHARES”
working through Empretec India Foundation and many other UN agencies.
The COVID-19 pandemic was hard for Mr. Anand’s business and his sales declined by 20 percent year-on-year. However, he was positive about his business and started actively seeking new opportunities. He sought out time to plan for the coming years and chose to invest in a new factory back home.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Mr. Anand is now looking to build a manufacturing unit similar to the one in China, in Odisha, India. With this new unit, he plans to bridge the demand and supply gap in the footwear segment and put India in the lead among top footwear manufacturers. With a whopping investment of ₹62.44 crore, Mr. Anand is setting up this manufacturing unit spread over 10 acres. The new manufacturing facility will be a single unit responsible for generating employment opportunities for more than 1200 people. Like his unit in China, the Indian manufacturing unit will also work on women empowerment by employing as many women as possible.
It is estimated that the Indian manufacturing unit will have the capacity to produce 2.5 million pairs of shoes annually. This ambitious venture began taking shape after Evertrade signed an agreement with the Government of Odisha in 2019 during the ‘Invest in Odisha’ event.
A GLOBAL INDIAN
Mr. Anand is also working on some novel ideas such as biodegradable packaging, and setting up a bamboo fibers factory in Nagaland in collaboration with the state government and aid from the United Nations. Among other plans, he is ready to explore more countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Korea for raw materials and other resources.
What Mr. Anand has built in a decade requires passion, determination, and resolve in abundance. He is a great example of what one can accomplish if one sets one’s mind to. Leaders like him do not stop at creating one successful venture. The fact that he is now working even harder to replicate his success in his homeland says a great deal about his commitment to his roots. He is truly a Global Indian working diligently to strengthen his country’s position on the world map.
Mr. RK Agrawal holds an MBA degree from Sikkim Manipal University and has more than 31 years of experience in consulting and turnkey projects related to water resources, energy and infrastructure.
In his role as CMD, he is in charge of marketing/business development, implementation of projects, corporate management, financial management, human resources management, strategy planning, brand building, and boundary management.
Under his direction, WAPCOS has grown into a world leader in consultancy for water, power and infrastructure. Besides expanding the existing operations of the company in the coming years, Mr. Agrawal looks forward to helping the company diversify into new areas with huge profit margins and opportunities for future growth.
EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP
Mr. Agrawal has exceptional communication skills. His planning and organising abilities, as well as his role-based functional competency and outstanding business skills, make him a brilliant leader and a role model. He is well-known for his strategic thinking, decision-making competences, and problem-solving and analytical skills. He demonstrates outstanding spirit as a true leader and keeps his team members engaged and enthusiastic about their work.
As consultancy services are primarily knowledge based and largely depend on the intellectual and dynamic capabilities of the team members, Mr. Agrawal ensures that his team members participate in regular technology programmes for technology absorption, adoption and innovation for advancing their skills via online or virtual modes. As a future-focused leader, he focuses on strategic collaborative efforts, solid business proposals and efficient follow-ups to ensure better success rates in securing businesses.
Coordination and collaboration are key elements of his work. He constantly emphasises innovation and a changeoriented approach. There are several projects that he has been able to secure with government schemes such as Smart City Mission, PMKSY, DDUGJY, IPDS, RDSS and Jal Jeevan Mission, in addition to MoUs with other national/international organisations.
While completing many prestigious projects both in India and overseas, Mr. Agrawal is credited with forming several collaborative partnerships to
RK AGRAWAL
BUILDING FOR TOMORROW
Mr RK Agrawal, Chairman cum Managing Director of WAPCOS and NPCC, public sector enterprises under Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. is a name to be reckoned with in the water resources, power and infrastructure development industries. The resolute and focused leader is driving ambitious plans to expand into new markets and strengthen NPCC’s performance in India and abroad. Aside from serving as the CMD of NPCC Ltd., he holds an additional charge as Director (Engineering) of WAPCOS-owned NPCC
BY MONALISA BISWAS
expand WAPCOS’ technology portfolio. He successfully leads WAPCOS to assist in the resolution of many complexities in numerous projects within India. The leader believes that WAPCOS has the requisite reliance and know-how to make it a global brand. He says, “The sectors in which WAPCOS operates are vital sectors. I am committed to take WAPCOS forward and make a lasting impact for the betterment of society through our work.” In his role as CMD, he has executed several transformative initiatives to improve project implementation, project monitoring and project delivery. He focuses on training his team members so that they can keep abreast of the latest technological advancements. The leader emphasises corporate governance, digital transformation and increased participation in the government’s flagship schemes. To consolidate the company’s core competencies in domain areas, he has developed a structured framework.
AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR
Mr. Agrawal is an effective communicator. He is someone who thoroughly conveys his ideas and is receptive and responsive to the input and perspectives of others. As a role model, he encourages professionals to go above and beyond to discover new opportunities.
His standout qualities are crisis leadership and crisis management, which enable him to deal with difficult situations through clear and trustworthy communication. During difficult times, he always leads the way and sets a good example for others.
FOCUSED ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Mr. Agrawal is committed to the adoption and adherence to best corporate governance practices. He ensures WAPCOS pays utmost attention to client satisfaction and builds long-term relationships with them by responding to and anticipating their needs. Furthermore, he ensures the company’s processes are fair and transparent, and all employees have equal opportunities.
GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY
Mr. Agrawal is a benevolent leader who believes in serving society. “A good and responsible company can always shape society and help reduce the adversities of ordinary citizens by making a positive difference through social upliftment,” he says, adding, “WAPCOS seeks to uphold its social obligations, and this contribution is mirrored in our endeavours to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of society at large, as well as to preserve the environment.”
“MR. AGRAWAL IS COMMITTED TO THE ADOPTION AND ADHERENCE TO BEST CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES. HE ENSURES WAPCOS PAYS UTMOST ATTENTION TO CLIENT SATISFACTION AND BUILDS LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM BY RESPONDING TO AND ANTICIPATING THEIR NEEDS”
WAPCOS implements various social responsibility initiatives under Mr. Agrawal’s stewardship. The company actively participates in these programmes across India in the areas of school education, healthcare and nutrition, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development of the underprivileged, among others.
During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the company to take requisite actions from time to time to alleviate societal hardship. Several significant contributions were made by the company in this regard. WAPCOS detected the early warning signs and prepared to deal with the pandemic-related uncertainties quickly, and in a planned and structured manner. Mr. Agrawal also guided the company to take effective measures to effectively contain the spread of COVID-19 by strictly following social distancing norms and other safety protocols such as work-from-home. Among these protocols were virtual meetings with various stakeholders, making roster plan after the commencement of unlock phases, mandatory use of Aarogya Setu App by all employees and visitors, thermal scanning, and maximum communication over intercom phones even while attending office. To maintain social distancing norms, COVID-19 vaccination camps for employees and their families were conducted in the office.
GARNERING ACCOLADES
Mr. Agrawal has earned several awards. He was conferred with “Business Leader of the Year” and “CEO with HR Orientation” awards at the World HRD Congress Awards. He has also secured major breakthroughs in Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Maldives, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Vietnam by winning crucial projects.
Among other honours that the enterprises have received under his stellar leadership are Water Digest Awards for Best Consultancy; Best Water Management – Public Sector; Best Community Project of the Year and Made in India – Best Water Company (Public Sector); “Industry Excellence Award 2021” by Institution of Engineers (India), “Excellence in Export of Engineering Service” by Engineering Export Promotion Council, “India Stars of The Industry Awards 2021” for “Company of the Year” and “Best Water Infrastructure” categories.
Armed with an engineering and MBA degree in Instrumentation and Control Engineering, Mr. Richard moved to the Gulf in the year 2000 with dreamy eyes and a dream to change the world. He started his career in 2000 in Muscat and then came to UAE in 2003. He dabbled in a lot of roles until he realised that sales is where his passion and calling lay. He then stuck to the sales sector and worked in different organisations until 2012 when he joined Garlock, a leading sealing products manufacturer headquartered in the United States.
The position at Garlock proved to be a turning point in Mr. Richard’s career, as it is here that he was exposed to a global work culture and explored various leadership programs. He got many reality checks about his professional journey and got attuned to his career goals – where he lies and what he wants to achieve.
TRANSITIONING FROM AN EMPLOYEE TO AN EMPLOYER
He worked through the ranks at Garlock, started as a Sales Manager and went on to become General Manager for Middle-East and Africa. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Garlock decided to close down the physical offices in the Middle East. This proved to be the biggest pivot in Mr. Richard’s career. This is when he decided to start his own company and Erith was born. He offered Garlock to run their Middle East business under Erith and the rest as they say is history.
Interestingly, Garlock had offered him a position in the US, but he turned it down because he did not want to abandon his team in the UAE. He chose to stay back and start from scratch and help whomever he can. This perfectly describes his character and commitment to his people.
He followed his passion and built a company when most of the companies were either downsizing their scale of operations or shutting down. Established in August 2020, with just nine employees, Erith Group grew in no time. The advantage of starting under extreme circumstances is that the worst was already over. When Mr. Richard and his team overcame the pandemic, it made the company recession-proof, sustainable and a responsible business. Since its inception, the Group has been forthcoming in hiring the right individuals and now has over 30 professionals.
RICHARD SAMUEL EDWIN
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Mr. Richard S. Edwin is a perfect example of a leader who takes his team along. He is someone who does not believe in growth unless the prosperity is shared amongst all contributors. There are successful entrepreneurs and then there are people who truly make a difference to society – Mr. Richard falls in the latter category. From an employee to a successful entrepreneur, he undertook the most pivotal journey of his career under the direst circumstances – the COVID-19 pandemic. It is his undeterred passion that helped sustain his venture during difficult times
BY SONAM GULATI
Mr. Richard recently opened an office in Chennai, India – the Group’s first overseas office and that reflects a strong growth trajectory. This new office is the company’s fifth office apart from three regional offices and its headquarters in the UAE.
A PEOPLE’S PERSON ALL THE WAY
When Garlock shut down its Middle East operations, Mr. Richard was acutely aware of its effect on the people who worked there. The loss of livelihoods and stranded families was a disheartening thought and that is the reason Mr. Richard offered to take over their operations – to support the employees.
It was at that time that he decided to help whomever he can by taking them on board at Erith Group. His belief was clear – to work together in a transparent manner for a common goal. He is a believer in teamwork and clear communication and that is what is followed at the Erith Group. “If we tell the team the ‘why’ and ‘what’ we want to achieve, the qualified professionals will work to figure out the ‘how’, the right team will do it better than I can,” he says.
Mr. Richard values clarity of thought more than anything else. As a leader, he leads his team by communicating his vision clearly time and again. The ambitious
and inspring leader leads by example and shows the team that the ultimate vision of the organisation is what guides him.
PRIORITISE AND MOVE FORWARD
The Erith Group is now a leading supplier of high-quality, high-end sealing products and solutions to the key players in energy, power, chemicals, nuclear, metal, mining and other vital sectors. There are three business units – manufacturing, industrial engineering and healthcare segment. Mr. Richard believes, it has only been possible by believing in himself and his team together.
Another vital piece in the puzzle was to be aware of the overall strategy of the country they were operating out of. For instance, in the UAE, local manufacturing is given priority and companies that contribute to the GDP by exporting more and importing less are valued – these factors were crucial when Mr. Richard was formulating his company’s overall vision and goals. Prioritising the country’s strategy and aligning his goals with that has really been instrumental in achieving whatever he has done so far.
Another important factor that has contributed to his success has been keeping a customer-centric approach. Not only did
“HE IS A BELIEVER IN TEAMWORK AND CLEAR COMMUNICATION, AND THAT IS WHAT IS FOLLOWED AT THE ERITH GROUP. “IF WE TELL THE TEAM THE ‘WHY’ AND ‘WHAT’ WE WANT TO ACHIEVE, THE QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS WILL WORK TO FIGURE OUT THE ‘HOW’, THE RIGHT TEAM WILL DO IT BETTER THAN I CAN,” HE SAYS”
he successfully turn over the business from Garlock, but also made sure that none of the customers felt any disruption during the transition. He always ensures that the customers feel valued and feel a sense of growth when they are attached to Erith. “Be closer to your customer and always hear what they are saying and you will achieve great results,” he says.
HERE’S TO THE FUTURE
The transition from an employee to an entrepreneur was the greatest gift for Mr. Richard. “It was the high point of my career,” he shares. He believed in himself and the people who went along with him and together moved on to create something great.
Only a couple of years into the business, the journey for Mr. Richard and Erith Group has just begun. It is his dream to make it into a name that is one of the most trusted advisors in the industry.
From being a product supply company, Mr. Richard wants the Group to become a manufacturer of all high-quality products. He has already started this transition and has brought in the best available cuttingedge machinery. He started his own manufacturing plant in October 2022.
In the near future, Mr. Richard wants to make Erith a 360-degree firm that gives customers an end-to-end experience. He started by providing high-quality products, added manufacturing and now plans to add servicing as per the customers’ requirements. This will attain his second goal – to become a group advisor for the customers’. At the end of the day, Mr. Richard is a humble man who finds inspiration in the simplest of things. He counts his wife as his biggest support system for standing by him in all circumstances. He draws inspiration from his parents who always instilled the right values in him and feels indebted to Mr. Mike Faulkner from Garlock who acted as a guide and mentor to him during his time at the company.
It is the trait of a true leader who values people, be it his family, employees, or customers. A true leader knows that it’s the people who make or break any enterprise.
Mr. Richard’s story is one of inspiration, passion and determination, but one aspect that stands out in his entrepreneurial journey is his cause. He started the journey to support others in need and as they say, what goes around always comes around.
GLOBAL LEADER OF THE YEAR 2023
Rodgers graduated with a Degree in Theology. He is also pursuing BA (Honours) in Business Administration at the University of Cumbria in North West England. The well-versed leader founded Medway Medical Supplies in 2019, intending to provide innovative medical technologies for diagnosis, treatment, and surgical equipment. A learning mindset, a focus on connecting with others, and believing in his vision have paved the way for his success. His focus on connecting with others has also helped him create a strong support network of like-minded individuals, who believe in his abilities.
Rodgers attributes his company’s success to his talented and dedicated teammates. Like a true leader, he motivates his team members to strive for greatness and never give up. The empathetic leader also ensures their work-life balance so that nobody misses out on meaningful family time. He believes that a healthy work-life balance is essential for any team to be productive and happy, both in and out of work.
STRONG BUSINESS ACUMEN
Rodgers is adept at making sound business decisions. He has a proven track record of delivering tangible results. Over the years, the goal-oriented leader has developed a deep understanding of the business landscape and the ability to identify market trends and opportunities. He has invested a tremendous amount of time and energy into understanding the industry and the people who operate within it. He then used that knowledge to build a team to help him achieve his vision. The leader says, “After starting the firm with only a basic understanding of how the industry operates, I made it my mission to research, learn, network, and hire the right team to bring my vision to life.”
Under Rodgers’ able leadership, Medway Medical Solutions has expanded its footprint and presence in Harare, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. With 22 distribution agreements and licences directly from manufacturers and multinational corporations in China, the United States, Brazil, Singapore, and South Africa, Medway Medical Supplies has grown to be a household name and a trustworthy partner in the medical supply industry and the brand ambassador for each of its manufacturers.
The goal-oriented leader consistently focuses on diversifying the company’s
RODGERS MUDARIKWA
A LEARNING MINDSET
Mr. Rodgers Mudarikwa, the Chief Executive Director and Co-Founder of Medway Medical Supplies is an outstanding leader known for his valuable insights. Over the years, his unwavering efforts and commitment to excellence have transformed Medway Medical Supplies into a leading medical equipment and accessories supplier. His remarkable entrepreneurial journey, driven by determination and resilience, is an inspiration for many aspiring individuals and a reminder that anything is possible if you work hard and stay focused
BY MONALISA BISWAS
products and services and keeps himself abreast of the latest trends to improve efficiency and customer service. His business acumen has enabled the company to remain competitive and capitalise on new opportunities.
DRIVEN BY VALUES
As a values-driven leader, Rodgers respects integrity, respect, teamwork, and unparalleled customer service. His commitment to these values makes him an icon of motivation, and has earned him recognition throughout the industry. He believes that by setting the right example and fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, he can create a work environment that will help employees reach their full potential. He also encourages employees to be honest and ethical in their dealings with customers, colleagues, and the public.
PUSHING THE LIMITS
Rodgers constantly looks for ways to learn and grow, leading him to take on challenging tasks and explore new ideas. He believes that knowledge is the key to success and that learning and understanding open doors that would otherwise remain closed.
Despite his business facing several
challenges, including Zimbabwe’s economic instability, limited access to the latest technology, and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which significantly impacted its business logistics, Rodgers’ “never give up attitude” and his commitment to corporate ethics and procedures have helped the company stay ahead of the pack.
He ensures that people, especially those in underserved areas of Zimbabwe, have access to the most advanced medical technology to combat any upcoming or ongoing epidemic by delivering superior, cutting-edge clinical equipment and resources to healthcare professionals in the country. His grit and positive attitude have helped the company to progress and remain strong despite unexpected obstacles.
He states that entrepreneurship is a turbulent road full of ups and downs that often make you feel inadequate, that your idea isn’t good, or that the business isn’t doing well. Nevertheless, giving up or surrendering is not an option. Entrepreneurs must strive to adapt and overcome adversity.
“This is the true hallmark of success: the ability to persevere and find a new way to thrive, even when facing obstacles. Also, it’s not always about having the perfect plan, but being able to adapt and adjust when it doesn’t work out,” he says.
“BELIEVING IN YOUR VISION AND TRUSTING GOD IS THE ONLY WAY TO SUCCEED AND TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL,” IS RODGERS MUDARIKWA’S SUCCESS MANTRA. HE SAYS, HAVING FAITH IN ONESELF AND TRUSTING IN A HIGHER POWER GIVES ONE THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO PERSEVERE”
PRIORITISES HIS FAMILY
Rodgers prioritises his family and spends as much time as he can with his loved ones. He makes sure to take time off from work to attend family events and activities. Spending time with his family gives him an emotional break from work pressures, he says.
He also draws inspiration from his spiritual parents, who pray daily for his prosperity and well-being. He believes that their positive energy gives him the strength and courage to lead his life with humility.
GARNERING ACCOLADES
Rodgers’ business acumen has helped Medway Medical Supplies carve out a niche in the industry and receive several accolades. His company has been honoured with Global Business Excellence Award at the Buzz Awards organised by the WORLDCOB (World Confederation of Businesses), an organisation representing 3,500-plus businesses across 130 countries. It has been recognised for its consistent success in exceeding the evaluation criteria listed in its business excellence questionnaires, achieving CSR objectives, and fostering innovation and fresh thinking in developing systems for managing people and resources.
Jesus Moran, CEO, WORLDCOB, also sent him a letter of congratulations and invited him to the formal celebrations in Kazakhstan and Canada, respectively.
Speaking about his success mantra, he says, “Believing in your vision and trusting God is the only way to succeed and take your business to the next level.” The dynamic entrepreneur believes that having faith in oneself and trusting in a higher power provides the strength, determination, and courage to persevere through any challenging times.
Rodgers emphasises that perseverance and hard work are crucial to success. He believes that ineffective resource management frequently leads to business failure. So, organisations must be judicious with their use of resources. He asserts that new entrepreneurs should possess a powerful sense of self-determination, excitement, and drive, and have sound business values and procedures in place.
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to focus on a well-thought-out business strategy instead of money. He motivates them to keep pushing themselves and dedicate themselves to their dreams to succeed in life.
Ronald’s ancestors originally hailed from Moodbidri in Mangaluru taluk of Karnataka. Starting as an accountant, he has demonstrated his exceptional skills and hard work, rising through the ranks to become the Head of Accounts and Administration, and finally, the Financial Controller. His dedication and passion for the field have earned him a reputation as a talented and experienced professional, and his contributions to the industry are truly commendable. The wellversed leader was also appointed as the CEO of a consortium comprising three multinational corporations: CCICL (based in Athens, Greece), Mannesmann (based in Germany), and Saipem (based in Milan, Italy). The consortium is involved in turnkey projects such as building petro-refineries, gas processing and re-injection plants, townships, and airports.
Gradually, Ronald leveraged his extensive experience from his previous positions to establish himself as an entrepreneur. Since then, he has registered continuous success in his venture through his strong business acumen, hard work, commitment and disciplined approach.
A VISIONARY
Ronald’s relentless passion and dedication to his vision have been exemplary, and his achievements are a testament to his hard work and determination. The ambitious leader has consistently demonstrated an unwavering determination to reach the highest peaks in his career. He works tirelessly to make Clarks Exotica one of India’s most celebrated hospitality hubs today. Known for his sharp intellect and desire to continue learning, he is highly respected among his peers, who recognise him as an innovator and leader, always striving to better himself and others.
A PEOPLE PERSON
Ronald’s success and commitment to helping others have been apparent in his professional and personal life. As a people person, he takes special care of the staff at Clark and maintains a cordial relationship with them. He respects their ideas and treats them like family. He goes out of his way to ensure everyone is cared for. He takes the time to get to know everyone and their needs, wants, and opinions. He also makes sure to give them the time, respect, and appreciation they deserve.
RONALD COLACO
LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY
Mr. Ronald Colaco, the Managing Director of Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa, is an NRI businessman based in Dubai. He is also a renowned philanthropist known for renovating important community structures such as churches, police stations, mosques, and schools. A firm believer of selfless service, Ronald has demonstrated his belief in the importance of investing in the future of our communities. A beacon of light and hope for those in need, he is also an inspiration for those who want to lead a more fulfilling life
BY MONALISA BISWAS
Ronald prioritises skills development as it can enhance the earning potential of individuals. Over the years, he has contributed Rs. 1 million per year and, lately, Rs. 0.5 million, to conduct skill development workshops and training sessions for the youth of Karnataka under the Karnataka Regional Youth Commission. He has also provided the youth of the state with invaluable support in helping them to access the resources they need for their career growth. Additionally, the socially aware leader regularly makes financial contributions to encourage minority community youth to participate in political and administrative exams.
HIS INSPIRATION
Ronald cites his father, Febian Colaco, as a significant source of inspiration in his journey as a philanthropist. Febian Colaco was known for his selfless acts of kindness towards the poor and needy, and it was through his example that young Ronald learned the importance of giving back to society.
Through his noble efforts, Ronald has honoured his father’s legacy and has helped to build stronger and more vibrant communities. Ronald’s wife, Jean, has also been an excellent source of support and inspiration in his journey as a philanthropist.
She constantly keeps him focused on his goal of making a positive difference in people’s lives. He says, “Having a supportive partner like Jean has been instrumental in helping me stay committed to my endeavours. Her unwavering support and encouragement have been a source of strength for me.”
LEADING WITH HEART
Ronald’s generosity has endeared him to many people around the world. He has been actively involved in various charitable and philanthropic activities and has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting socio-cultural, educational and health initiatives, among other causes. By doing so, he has become a role model for others and has helped to create a better world for those in need. His charitable works include furnishing a 5000x3000-square-feet police station in Frazer Town, Bengaluru. In addition, he has built an ultra-modern building near Bangalore International Airport for lawyers.
His other noteworthy initiatives include setting up a fully equipped taluk office in Devanahalli and providing furniture for the Mini Vidhana Soudha near Bangalore International Airport. He also took the initiative to complete a half-built and abandoned Kannamangala Gram Panchayat
“RONALD’S PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES HAVE NOT BEEN LIMITED BY CONSIDERATIONS SUCH AS CASTE, CREED, RACE, RELIGION, OR LANGUAGE. HE HAS HELPED PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS IN NEED, REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND. HIS INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO GIVING HAS EARNED HIM WIDESPREAD RESPECT”
Building and the Jalige Panchayat Building. Ronald’s philanthropic activities have not been limited by considerations such as caste, creed, race, religion, or language. He has helped people and organisations in need, regardless of their background. His inclusive approach to giving has earned him widespread respect and recognition, and set an example for others. His efforts to give back to society have positively impacted and inspired other corporations and multinational companies to take on their corporate social responsibility. His efforts will be remembered for generations to come, inspiring others to strive for excellence and the betterment of their communities.
REMARKABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Ronald has been awarded multiple national and international accolades for his philanthropic and charitable efforts. London’s World Book of Records recently awarded him a Certificate of Excellence for his contributions to social and philanthropic causes. This recognition was conferred on him for providing infrastructure support to the Karnataka government for the welfare of society. During the Indo-UK Leadership Summit, the Certificate of Excellence was announced under UID 00318 in September 2022 in the House of Commons of the British Parliament, London.
He was conferred Professional Doctorate Certificate in Global Leadership and Management by the 75th World Ranking European International University of Paris, France, on 21st December 2020, and was awarded the NRI of the Year 2018 by Times Group in Mumbai.
The compassionate leader was also honoured with the “2015 International Recognition Award for Leadership in Service Excellence” from the Office of the Prime Minister of Australia through the CSIA. This award was given at the Australian Service Excellence award ceremony held in Melbourne in 2015. Ronald was the only person selected for the prestigious award from 80 countries.
Ronald also joined the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, for breakfast at the Washington Hilton, Washington DC, twice in 2017 and 2018. He was among the specially chosen delegates from over 140 countries. The humble leader felt privileged to be chosen to represent his country among the other delegates from around the world.
2023
GLOBAL INDIAN
With a Master’s in Computer Applications, Sandeep Tiku has an impeccable reputation for building complex technologies. His previous experience — as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Entain, a global gaming and entertainment company listed on the FTSE 100 — included overseeing technology and operations for a portfolio of brands in more than 30 markets.
He started his journey at Entain as the IT Director in 2014 and contributed to the growth of the firm for over eight years. His next role was as Head of Global Social, Mobile, Analytics, and Cloud Practices, and eventually of the CTO in 2016. He was instrumental in building an industryleading global platform that was scalable and robust. Furthermore, he led a massive gaming company from a struggling position to a multi-billion-dollar industry through technology, innovation and team training.
Sandeep’s entrepreneurial spirit and customer-centric approach make him an ideal leader for Dazn’s technology team. Through his expertise, he brings new experiences to Dazn’s core sports streaming media platform to help it become an interactive sports entertainment ecosystem. The tech veteran is making further inroads into new markets to expand the company’s global footprint. With his experience and Dazn’s vision, he plans to turn the platform into an international destination for sports fans.
As he says, “At DAZN, our energetic, innovative and proactive team is passionate about sport. But above all, we believe sports can be a catalyst for change. Investing in the future of the sport and harnessing its immense power to better our communities are part of our responsibility as leaders in the global sports ecosystem.” He adds, “It is our mission to continue enhancing our approach to social impact across our teams, communities, and the industry.”
A STRATEGIC LEADER
A technologist, business leader, and visionary, Sandeep brings out-of-the-box ideas to life to stay ahead of the pack. His key strengths are leading by example, making unconventional decisions, and paying attention to details. With his technical innovation, he has implemented a robust mergers and acquisitions strategy to seamlessly integrate acquired businesses with the company’s industry-
SANDEEP TIKU
AIDING SPORTS STREAMING
Mr. Sandeep Tiku, Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the world’s leading sports entertainment platform DAZN Group, is an internationally renowned technology leader and respected innovator in the sports OTT streaming industry. He oversees the company’s global product and technology development teams to take its sports streaming platform to the next level. An exceptional and visionary technologist, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company, enabling it to reach new heights with new technologies and platforms
BY MONALISA BISWAS
leading gaming platform. In addition, he has established a virtual reality business innovation hub to foster transformational change in the gaming industry.
EMPHASISES EMPATHY AT WORK
Motivating people is an essential component of good leadership, says Sandeep. Consequently, he encourages his employees to work hard and be confident in their work. The empathetic leader fosters motivation by empowering employees with autonomy so that they are in control and can make decisions that align with their own values, goals and interests, as well as those of the team. “As a responsible leader, I have always inspired and motivated my team members to go beyond their comfort zones and strive to reach new heights in both their professional and personal lives,” he says.
A CUSTOMER-FOCUSED LEADER
For Sandeep, customer centricity is the top priority. “Sports fans are the very soul of DAZN. Therefore, we ensure we cater to their needs in every possible way. We also ensure our team members reflect the spirit of diversity of sports fans around the world,” he says.
Sandeep also believes that hiring and
developing the best people from every race, ethnicity, religion, age group, sexual orientation and gender identity is essential to having the most robust workforce possible. Therefore, he ensures that the organisation fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone is heard and empowered to contribute.
CAREER HIGH POINTS
According to Sandeep, career high points move along with one’s vision of the next bigger mission in life. It is, therefore, imperative that we never rest on our laurels and strive to do better in life to achieve new milestones. His latest career high point was the transition from Group Chief Technology Officer to Chief Operating Officer and being inducted into the board of one of the largest online gaming companies (FTSE100) in less than six months. The passionate leader’s grit, consistency, fast learning and discipline have helped him reach this milestone.
A SELF-MOTIVATED INDIVIDUAL
Sandeep strives to make his dreams a reality through self-motivation and determination. In this way, he shows a strong desire to keep moving forward while encouraging others through his aspiration.
As he says, “For me, inspiration doesn’t
“FOR ME, INSPIRATION DOESN’T ORIGINATE FROM ONE PERSON OR AN EVENT; RATHER, IT COMES FROM PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE AROUND ME. I AM INSPIRED BY THE EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP OF WORLD LEADERS WHO RUN THEIR COUNTRIES EFFICIENTLY ”
originate from one person or an event; rather, it comes from people from different walks of life around me. For example, a daily labourer who works very hard each day and knows he will do the same thing the next day inspires me. In addition, I am equally inspired by the exemplary leadership of world leaders who run their countries efficiently.”
Among the business leaders inspiring Sandeep are those who have beaten the odds and turned their businesses into world’s leading enterprises. However, among all the leaders, the seasoned technologist admires Steve Jobs for his vision and hard work in creating the unthinkable with perfection.
LEADING BY HEART
Sandeep leads with benevolence and a sense of duty. He ensures his team has access to the best practices in the organisation. A proponent of equity and diversity at work, he is also dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion. In 2022, the ecologically conscious leader oversaw the development of a new green framework for auditing and reporting on Dazn’s carbon emissions so that the company could minimise its carbon footprint. Sandeep is also an advocate for women’s empowerment. He has introduced programmes like Reboot and Celebrating Motherhood for women.
The Reboot Programme has been devised to help women who have taken a career break get back to work and explore new horizons. The Celebrating Motherhood Programme emphasises special care and a pampered environment at work for to-be mothers. In addition to benefiting women, this women-centric programme has helped the organisation to broaden its outlook. In other important programmes, Sandeep personally implemented a company-wide initiative to take care of the employees and their families during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
ACHIEVEMENTS GALORE
Sandeep’s exemplary leadership skills and unwavering efforts have earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the HYSEA (Hyderabad Software and Enterprises Association) award for three consecutive years, 2019, 2021 and 2022; COO of the Year 2021 Award by World Leadership Congress and Awards; and the Indian Achievers Award 2020 for IT Excellence by Indian Achievers Forum.
2023
GLOBAL INDIAN
PERS ON OF THE YEAR 2023
Sanjib is a digital innovator renowned for developing a more comprehensive strategy for digital transformation. The award-winning leader is a graduate from the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Applications from the Institute of Management Technology in Ghaziabad, India, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Calcutta University.
Sanjib was born into a humble family. Throughout his student life, he was more interested in knowing the “why” than just following the herd. Born and brought up in a small town in India, he lost his father at a young age. To support his family, he had to start working at an early age. He studied computers before continuing higher education to develop his operational leadership abilities. He also studied economics – influenced by his inspiration, Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen – to learn about macroeconomics and concepts that can help developing economies.
As there was limited career scope in this field, Sanjib eventually left his hometown in his youth to pursue a career in transforming businesses. His journey took him worldwide and through several sectors, finally bringing him to his current role at the $54 billion Fortune 100 Company Ingram Micro, which operates across 200 countries. The organization is undergoing a massive transformation under his leadership and in close collaboration with the company’s CEO Paul Bay to modernize the entire technology ecosystem with the introduction and global adoption of its Ingram Micro XvantageTM digital experience platform. Sanjib had no experience in technology when he left his birthplace. Building his IT acumen required a lot of effort for over two years. However, as a finance and computer application graduate, he had a unique perspective on business and technology. Over the years, his perseverance and passion have motivated the leader to take on challenges with constant effort and interest. He says, “I never intended to work as a Chief Digital Officer. However, I wanted to mould myself into a leader of substance and leave an impact in everything I did.”
GROWTH-DRIVEN MINDSET
Over the years, Sanjib has forged an impressive career as a revolutionary and inspirational technology executive, and company leader who consistently develops and delivers actual value. He became a
SANJIB SAHOO
A LEADER OF SUBSTANCE
Mr. Sanjib Sahoo serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer of the $54 billion US-based tech behemoth Ingram Micro Inc. With over 20 years of experience in leading enterprise IT strategy and services, digital platforms, application deployment, and technology operations, he brings an extensive global perspective to the company. Many trials and tribulations marked his journey, but it was Sanjib’s tenacity, commitment, dedication, and preparedness that brought him to where he is now
BY SONAM GULATI
financial firm’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at a very young age. It was the beginning of a rewarding journey for him. In the initial stages of his career, he built applications for various financial services companies, including Deutsche Bank, Citibank, and Charles Schwab (then Xpresstrade). He has also served as the CIO for XPO Logistics’ Transport Division as well as a member of the senior management team. Before joining XPO Logistics, he served as TradeMonster’s (now E*Trade/Morgan Stanley) CIO and CTO, overseeing the creation of a groundbreaking online trading system for both web and mobile. Rather than taking a career path, the leader adopted a growth mindset and worked tirelessly to hone his skills. He always saw his failures as life lessons instead of reasons to give up. As a CIO and CTO, he focused on business and took a keen interest in revenue, margins, and efficiency. Sanjib joined Ingram Micro Inc. in June 2021. As the Executive VP and Chief Digital Officer, he directs Ingram Micro’s strategic initiatives to swiftly produce cutting-edge, world-class customer and user experiences that will help the company differentiate itself from the competition. His responsibilities include overseeing the company’s customer-facing infrastructure, such as applications, subscriptions, and billing consumption patterns, through digital
transformation and modernisation.
A LIFELONG LEARNER
Sanjib is a lifelong learner. He believes that effective leadership is not about ego, attitude, or making unrealistic commitments. True leadership, according to him, is about inspiring others to join a noble cause they believe in, and providing an opportunity for everyone to succeed. After serving as CIO/ CTO for many years, Sanjib’s desire to know more motivated him to get more involved with the business. He decided to return to Harvard for an advanced management degree, which gave him a lot of new insight into many business sectors. In addition to building world-class platforms with his teams in several industries, he wanted to be a business leader with a solid technology background. He believes everyone needs to be a full-stack professional in the competitive IT sector. Every technology leader must strive to become a business leader. The leaders must grasp how the industry operates, how customers interact, and how their firm generates revenue. In addition to having business acumen and technological prowess, leaders must also be emotionally intelligent and culturally adept to become truly valuegenerating CEOs. No matter their position or area of responsibility, if they develop these
“SANJIB BELIEVES EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IS NOT ABOUT EGO, ATTITUDE, OR MAKING UNREALISTIC COMMITMENTS. TRUE LEADERSHIP, ACCORDING TO HIM, IS ABOUT INSPIRING OTHERS TO JOIN A NOBLE CAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN, AND PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO SUCCEED”
attributes, they will accomplish outstanding achievements in their career.
A PROACTIVE LEADER
Sanjib believes one must accept responsibility for one’s actions, especially influential executives, who must take immediate action instead of waiting for the outcome. According to him, this is essential to attain success. Leadership, he says, is not about being perfect but about being vulnerable. It involves owning up to your mistakes, seeking assistance, enlisting the support of your colleagues, and working as a team.
A GOOD LISTENER
Sanjib believes in leading through his ears more than through his mouth. He actively listens to his employees, which helps him learn many things. Rather than chasing perfection, he advises budding leaders to be practical and humble. He highlights the necessity of communication in today’s competitive environment and emphasises situational communication since leaders are expected to employ a distinct tone when addressing different gatherings or situations. The leaders must figure out how to communicate in different circumstances. He advises them to focus on the art of storytelling and communicate with compassion. He is also known for his excellent team spirit. “Your team must understand and execute your vision as a leader. Also, a leader and their team must embark on the same success journey to achieve concrete results,” he says.
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
For his outstanding leadership abilities, Sanjib has received numerous prestigious accolades, including “ET Global Icon for Technology” and “Pride of India 2022”. The well-versed leader has also authored several technological models and white papers on leadership, risk and innovations, leadership training, creative marketing, open-source architecture, and mobile strategy. He owns several patents related to streaming for mobile devices and dynamic communications. He contributes to Wired and the Harvard Business Review, and is a part of the Forbes Technology Council.
An excellent orator, Sanjib has spoken at several national conferences organised by Computer World, CIO Magazine, TEDx and others, on a range of topics, including leadership, mobility, innovation, talent, risks, and CIO issues.
Suresh earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management (Evanston, IL, USA) and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, India. The well-versed leader is proficient in “Strategy Deployment” – a methodology for chalking out and implementing strategies that result in transformative performance in complex businesses. His specialities include scaling companies for rapid growth, managing global P&Ls, integrating acquisitions, expanding gross margins, managing global supply chains, and leveraging operational excellence.
A FORWARD-THINKING LEADER
Suresh took over NTE as CEO in April 2020, a period when the company needed a cultural and financial turnaround. Under his sterling leadership, a cultural and leadership transformation has taken place in the company in the last two years. Since its inception in 1981, NTE has been a founderled business; however, Suresh, with his leadership skills, soon transformed the organisation into one with an entrepreneurial mindset. With his relentless efforts, the focused leader has enabled the organisation to serve a record 3.6 million customers in the last two years. Furthermore, due to his efforts, the company’s revenues have increased by 42% to $1.6 billion, and gross margins have increased by 190 basis points.
NTE’s workforce has grown to over 3600 employees under Suresh’s leadership. With a visionary 5-year growth plan in mind, the goal-driven leader has led the company to establish a second headquarter in Hyderabad, India, which currently employs over 50 employees. He plans to double its employee base and expand its capability over the next year. He also plans to double NTE’s revenues through a 5-year growth plan. Essentially, this strategy entails expanding brick-andmortar retail stores.
He is investing heavily in a multi-year organizational transformation that will provide an exceptional end to end experience for customers. He also aims to double the company’s profits in the next five years by investing heavily in NTE’s omnichannel and e-commerce prowess and training his team members to serve their defined customer audience better than others.
Due to Suresh’s goal-driven strategies, NTE has gained a competitive advantage through significant technological investments,
SURESH KRISHNA
ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
Mr. Suresh Krishna, the CEO of Minnesota-based Northern Tool + Equipment (NTE), has carved a niche for himself in the tool and equipment retail and manufacturing industry. A passionate leader with an entrepreneurial mindset, Suresh leverages his innovative skills to push the organisation forward to the next growth phase. Under his stewardship, NTE has achieved an astounding earnings turnaround, with a 58% increase in EBITDA in just two years, which is quite commendable
BY MONALISA BISWAS
innovative brand strategies, omnichannel customer experience, and speed. Suresh says, “The customer experience is at the heart of everything we do at NTE.” He combines a deep knowledge of market research, consumer insights, and data & analytics to boost customer experience. The forwardthinking leader has helped the company achieve strong NPS and Google rankings by consistently delivering an omnichannel experience across the 126-store footprint.
A PEOPLE PERSON
The goal of his life is to motivate and help others achieve their maximum potential. Suresh finds great joy in providing his team with opportunities to try new things. Throughout his career, he was influenced by several mentors; however, it was his high school soccer coach who had the biggest impact on the leader. He says, “After losing a championship game that was expected to be won, our coach had said that no matter how well prepared we are, sometimes even the best teams can lose. Therefore, we need to build resiliency and learn from mistakes to bounce back, whether we are playing next time or resolving the next problem.”
“The ideologies and teachings of our soccer coach inspire me every day to lead 3,500+ employees,” he says.
A MULTITASKER
In addition to serving as NTE’s CEO, Suresh also sits on the Carlson School of Management’s Board of Advisors. He also teaches at renowned B-schools, including Northwestern’s Kellogg School, the University of Michigan’s Ross School, and the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School. Suresh is known for his problem-solving abilities. He says, “My experience working and living on three continents has taught me to overcome cultural and geographical barriers for solving problems efficiently.”
In order to set bold and courageous goals, he leverages the available data to get a quick grasp of problems. His team spirit is also noteworthy. The seasoned leader also believes in empowering his team. He inspires his team members to communicate, debate, and challenge openly, but when a decision is made, they support it unanimously.
Suresh considers himself a lifelong learner and is always looking for ways to learn from others. Throughout his career, he has helped several organisations create new markets, leverage global supply chains, establish talent pools, and build new capabilities using global thinking.
It has been a career milestone for him to help several companies embrace the global environment as a growth opportunity.
“SURESH SAYS, “CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO AT NTE.” HE COMBINES A DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF MARKET RESEARCH, CONSUMER INSIGHTS, AND DATA & ANALYTICS TO BOOST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. THE LEADER HAS HELPED THE COMPANY ACHIEVE STRONG NPS AND GOOGLE RANKINGS”
GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY
Suresh emphasises CSR, especially in terms of environmental awareness. “As a manufacturer of high-powered gas engine equipment, we are also on the cutting edge of diversifying our unique commercial grade product portfolio with battery power. We are launching the first-of-its-kind batterypowered log splitter and skid sprayer, with more to come,” he says. He considers battery-powered equipment an innovative and crucial way to help customers do their tasks more efficiently and effectively.
He makes sure that the company comes forward to express solidarity, particularly during times of natural catastrophe. He has led NTE in establishing multiple stores to serve in disaster-prone areas such as Texas, Louisiana, Florida to help customers recover from hurricanes and other natural disasters. He praises his team, saying they are quick to mobilise and offer relief to our communities during catastrophic failures and emergency relief efforts.
Finally, Suresh has been a huge proponent for serving the trades and building future trades professionals. Two important examples illustrate this: NTE’s Tools for the Trades program and their support of the Texas High School Welding Series. “Tools for the Trades partners with high school career and technical education programs by donating much needed tools and equipment to provide instructors with the right tools they need to teach the classes. Through our leadership in the Texas High School Welding Series, we partner with Texas-based companies to host welding events where students can earn the professional certification needed to begin their career in welding.”
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Because of his leadership initiatives, numerous awards and accolades have been bestowed on the organisation. In 2022, Newsweek named NTE’s e-commerce website the Best Online Shop in the DIY, Tools, and Supplies category. Moreover, NTE has consistently been recognised as one of Minnesota’s Top Workplaces for five consecutive years. From a product perspective, NTE’s NorthStar brand NorthStar Electric Power Washer, designed and built at NTE’s manufacturing facilities, won Consumer Reports’ award as Best Heavy-Duty Electric Power Washer in 2021. What’s more, as a company dedicated to innovation, NTE has been granted 66 patents around the globe.
MALAY PIT
MR. MALAY PIT HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE CAUSE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RURAL SOCIETY OF WEST BENGAL. A SOCIAL WORKER AND A DEDICATED HUMANITARIAN, HE HAS LED MANY ENTREPRENEURIAL INITIATIVES TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION
A CHANGEMAKER
A social entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and a committed philanthropist, Mr. Malay dons many hats and each with equal determination. His leadership persona and vision is such that he envisions equality and growth for all. Rural economic development and quality education have been his biggest missions all through the years.
AN ACCLAIMED EDUPRENEUR
Amongst his various initiatives, his most notable one is the Swadhin Charitable Trust, which he started in the year 2009. Swadhin refers to Society for Welfare & Development of Human Initiatives, and has been Mr. Malay’s painstaking initiative to drive his mission of offering education to the youth. The objective of this trust is to develop medical colleges, organise training and development programmes, and drive social development through education. Since 2009, Mr. Malay has been involved in the development of rural areas of West Bengal through the Swadhin Charitable Trust. The prime objective of his social activities has been to protect the minority people and tribal communities of West Bengal. He has partnered with more than 67 institutes to impart various interpersonal skills, technical skills, education and more to rural children, right from primary education to higher
studies. The government and private ITI institutes that are involved in this partnership belong to the first 20 ITI institutes pan India. Polytechnics, skill development centres, B.Ed colleges, and other institutes are a part of these social development initiatives by Mr. Malay.
SERVICE WITH SINCERITY AND PASSION
Another feather in Mr. Malay’s cap is the Santiniketan Medical College (SMC). Established in 2020, the SMC is India’s first medical college built through a publicprivate partnership under the National Medical Commission Act. It was started by Mr. Malay to offer transformative learning experiences. The college is the first one to come up after the Centre’s decision to open a path for private players to partner with government hospitals and build medical colleges. Set up under the supervision of NITI Aayog, the teaching hospital is affiliated to Bolpur Subdivisional Hospital.
Under Mr. Malay’s guidance, the medical hospital-cum-institute has been a frontrunner in providing world-class medical services with compassionate care and at affordable cost. It is also dedicated to producing globally competent medical professionals with a strong urge to serve humanity with the core values of sincerity and passion towards quality patient care guided by ethics.
Mr. Malay has made sure that the medical college has an array of modern laboratories, state-of-the-art equipment, and highly trained staff. To make medical education an enriching experience, he has introduced a few museums at the college. These museums have on display over 300 dissected specimens, 500 models, and other items from the world of surgery. His idea is to present to people key, lesser known medical facts about human bodies.
MANY INITIATIVES, ONE MISSION
A not-for-profit organisation started by Mr. Malay is Gobindapur Sephali Samaj Seba Samity. Through this institute, he offers efficient technical and non-technical training to people, which enables them to run educational institutions successfully. This institute also conducts training programmes under various livelihood sectors to help in socio-economic uplift of many people in need.
SWATIRTHA CHARITABLE TRUST
Mr. Malay also started Swatirtha Charitable Trust during the pandemic to offer services to rural people. The unprecedented pandemic and its aftermath were particularly harsh on the rural people whose livelihoods got affected. Under his guidance, Swatirtha Trust engaged in expanding plantation and agricultural activities to sustain
the livelihood of rural people. The trust increased its services to feed rural people inside the campus during the pandemic. It also provides classes of physical activity and motivational lectures so that people from the rural community get interested in engaging with their jobs. This trust also provides e-learning study materials for students from different resources.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
By participating in many skill development
projects, Mr. Malay has managed to improve the lives of over 3,500 people. His vision and determination to see a visible change in society has often been recognised.
In 2020, Mr. Malay was recognised at the Leadership Innovation Excellence awards held by the Institute of Economic Studies (IES). He was also conferred the ‘Innovative and Excellence Award’ by the National Economic Summit in the same year.
Driven by benevolence for society and strong social conscience, Mr. Malay is an insightful and inspirational personality who has devoted his life to the uplift and sustainable development of the rural society of West Bengal. His philanthropic work for the marginalised communities of the state has led to an improved life and livelihoods for thousands of people. It is this kind of selfless work that makes a leader transform into a visionary.
HARISH POOJARI
BUILDING TOMORROW’S INFRASTRUCTURE
MR. HARISH POOJARI, FOUNDER, INNOVINC ASPIRE INFRATECH SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED, HAS A VIBRANT PERSONALITY FUELED BY DISCIPLINE AND DETERMINATION. WITH HIS EXCEPTIONAL BUSINESS ACUMEN, HE IS SUCCESSFULLY MANAGING CUTTING-EDGE TOLL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO BRIDGE TECHNOLOGICAL AND INFRASTRUCTURAL GAPS
SUPERLATIVE CREDENTIALS
Mr. Harish Poojari holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Mumbai University. Before commencing his entrepreneurial journey, he began his career in human resources. He focused his attention on bridging the gap between employees and the organisation, which grew his interest in operations.
Today, Mr. Poojari, the Founder and CEO of Innovinc Aspire Infratech Solutions Private Limited, is known as an expert in developing the latest innovations in the industry. As a result of his vision, the company saw significant financial and
business growth. The entrepreneur has set a precedent in infrastructure development by delivering exceptionally for the turnkey tolls and road construction projects allocated by the state governments.
A FUTURISTIC APPROACH
Due to his strategic abilities, solid competence, and great business sense, he stands tall in the infrastructure sector. His organisational and leadership abilities set him apart from the competition. Owing to his dedicated and unwavering efforts, the business quickly expanded to four states.
Currently, the firm is operating in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, with ongoing and upcoming projects. Possessing true entrepreneurial skills, Mr. Poojari introduced technologies to the firm for building smooth roadways connectivity that are safe and reliable.
The visionary leader was able to achieve significant milestones by constructing high-quality roads and a toll collection system throughout India’s western and southern regions.
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
Mr. Poojari is committed to sustainable construction and adapting to future changes by placing it at the centre of his business’s expansion plan. Under his direction, the firm aims to be a turnkey provider of renewable energy resources and end-to-end infrastructure deployment by 2025.
The firm recently launched Innovinc Aspire Renewable Energy Solutions Private Limited under his leadership. Assemblers, fabricators, and dealers will be based with this subsidiary company specializing in lithium batteries, lithiumion batteries, and other renewable energy systems based on solar energy.
A relentless pursuer of perfection, Mr. Poojari did not leave any stone unturned in making his companies succeed. As a result, both companies have received ISO certifications for implementing top-notch standards in their operations.
MOVING WITH THE TIMES
According to Mr. Poojari, it is teamwork and superior processes that make an organisation successful in the fast-paced and ever-changing environment. He also dedicates time to create an organic work environment in his company.
He believes in fostering a culture of social responsibility and creating a business that will shape our future. With a rich experience in HR and operations, he possesses excellent leadership skills, and strives to enhance employee performance and foster higher growth rates.
The entrepreneur prioritises the fulfilment and well-being of employees at Innovinc, while maintaining his position as the company’s public face with a great deal of responsibility towards clients.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Mr. Poojari has received recognitions from the ET Inspiring Indian and Darwin Group of Companies. The company felicitated him in August 2022 for his notable contribution to the infratech industry.
YOGESH DHINGRA
GOING STRONG
MR. YOGESH DHINGRA, FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT SMARTR LOGISTICS, IS A PASSIONATE BUSINESS VETERAN WITH OVER THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE. THE SEASONED LEADER HAS CARVED A NICHE FOR HIMSELF IN THE LOGISTICS SECTOR. HE ALSO HAS DIVERSE EXPERIENCE OF BEING PART OF BIG4 AND MNCS
A MULTITASKER
Over the course of his career, Mr. Dhingra has led multiple important roles. A veteran in the logistics industry for over 27 years, he founded Smartr Logistics aiming to fulfil the gaping logistical demands and requirements of new-age customers. Before conceptualizing Smartr Logistics, he held the designation of CFO at Blue Dart Express Limited. His extensive knowledge and expertise transcended beyond his role as a CFO, promoting him to other major roles of COO and CSO, respectively. The proactive leader’s role in establishing Blue Dart Aviation Ltd. during its acquisition by DHL was crucial. In addition to operations, service quality, security, and information technology, he played a vital role in finance, strategy, and investor relations. He was also instrumental in starting the Ground Express and Ecommerce business at Blue Dart. His responsibilities at Blue Dart included various accounting, costing, risk management, tax, legal, secretarial, compliance, and governance duties. Additionally, he held the key role of an Independent Director on the Ecom Express Pvt. Ltd. board for about two years. The visionary leader founded Smartr Logistics in the year 2021 with a mission to provide customers and small business owners of India with bestin-class logistics services tailored to their needs. The company has quickly emerged as a one-stop logistics destination. With over 1700 loyal customers, Smartr Logistics has become a leader in the logistics industry due to his sterling leadership. Several BFSI companies, manufacturing and auto manufacturers, small and medium enterprises, and B2B companies use its services. D2C (Direct to Consumer) brands, electronics OEMs, automakers, pharmaceutical companies, and diagnostic labs are also among its clientele. The company has a presence in 80+ cities across India, with more than 115 service centres covering over 2,400 pin codes. It is Smartr’s mission to provide large as well as smaller companies with strong connectivity and network to facilitate business in India.
RESPONSIBLE DECISION MAKER
Mr. Dhingra is a practical leader who makes decisions pragmatically. Under his leadership, Blue Dart was able to build a solid and automated infrastructure as well as optimised routes. He also devised a Go Green strategy for the company through smart trucks and weight measurement devices. A strong e-tail and e-commerce strategy, a strengthened delivery system, and
optimised COD operations have contributed substantially to his success. Additionally, his tech-savvy approach to the business gives him a head start on applications of next-gen technologies. He emphasises value-added activities drive differentiation and development to keep the business competitive. He explores new market opportunities to enhance revenue and speed up growth.
HALL OF FAME
His unique leadership skills & business strategies have earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the BW Business World Best CFO Awards 2016-17; the CFO of the Year by Thought Leader Awards 2014; Asia’s Best CFO Award at the 4th CMO Asia Awards for Branding & Marketing; ‘Best CFO of an MNC (Midsized companies)’ at 4th Business Today – Yes Bank CFO award 2013, The Greatest Corporate Leader of India Award 2013; and Responsible Business Leader Award 2013. He has also been honoured with the ‘CFO of the Year & one of the Most Influential CFOs of India’ award by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA); and the ‘League of Excellence’ award by CFO India. He has received the CFO100 Roll of Honour thrice. In 2021, he was inducted into the CFO-India Hall of Fame. He was also invited as a guest lecturer at Harvard University.
BlackSwan
Women 2023 Entrepreneurs
The only way for the world to accomplish balanced growth is women empowerment. This will help in building a world where a woman, aware of her rights, decides to move on from the receiving end to the sending end, to ensure a healthier and happier life for her and everyone around. In fact, it is this new role of women as a “decision maker” that is changing the game, right from homes to offices. It is found that every 10% increase in gender diversity leads to a 3.5% rise in interest and taxes, making women empowerment a win-win situation. The benefits multiply when women hold the top chair in offices and push for safety and equal rights and pay for every employee regardless of one’s gender. This not only leads to more women becoming part of the organised employment, but also fuels their aspirations to grow in every sphere.
AsiaOne BlackSwan Women Empowerment Entrepreneurs Awards bring to limelight the stories of a few such women who are not only at the top of their game, but also changing its rules with their merit and spirit
DR. MALLIKA NADDA
A DISABILITY RIGHTS’ CHANGE-MAKER
A social worker with a difference, Dr. Mallika Nadda, the Chairperson of Special Olympics Bharat, has been dedicated to the mission of building an inclusive society. For the last 30 years, she has been associated with the cause of women welfare and empowerment, and the rights of the disabled. The Professor of History at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, trusts initiatives like Special Olympics to help create awareness and remove barriers for persons with intellectual disabilities, and drive change in society
BY MUKESH SHUKLA
Born in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mallika Nadda got from her parents the inspiration to selflessly engage in social service. In particular, she learned a lot about Special Olympics Bharat from her mother, who was a politician. The inspiration not only helped her choose the path of service, but also a vision to empower many in need. She became associated with several causes during her student days. Her election as the Student President of Jabalpur College enabled her to associate with more causes and make real change. In 1991, she founded the Viklang Seva Bharti, a Jabalpur-based social welfare organisation that works for all-round development of the disabled. Even today, it serves children affected by mental disabilities, hearing impairment, bone disruption, and cerebral palsy.
Dr. Nadda’s journey as a social worker was interesting, as there were visible and not-so-visible challenges, like coming from a political family. In India, it is not easy for the next generation of political families, as people have expectations and try to see one’s potential and work on the basis of their families’ influence and politics. But, Dr. Nadda refused to get disturbed by this pressure. Certain issues were always a priority for her, like the girl child, and she made a conscious decision to not get involved in active politics, but to build her grassroots work to enable change.
COMMITTED TO SOCIAL SERVICE
In 1991, after her marriage to Jagat Prakash Nadda — an Indian lawyer and politician now serving as the President of Bharatiya Janata Party — Dr. Mallika Nadda settled in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. In 1999, she set up in Bilaspur a non-governmental organisation called Chetna, with an aim to reach the inaccessible sections of society living in the rural areas of the state. She realised that the persons with disability (PwDs) are generally misunderstood because of their inconspicuous nature, and not even 2% of them are reached or covered by any kind of rehabilitation models. It presented an opportunity to her organisation to make a change.
Chetna began its operations with the goal of providing equal rights and opportunities to PwDs, also ensuring their full participation along with giving them a barrier-free environment through available rural resources to transform their lives. This organisation, which started from 10 Panchayats of Bilaspur in 1999, is working in more than 150 Panchayats today. In addition to Chetna, Dr. Nadda is associated with various social service initiatives with a
number of organisations in Bilaspur, Shimla, Delhi and other cities.
In 2002, Dr. Nadda established the Himachal Pradesh Chapter of Special Olympics (SO) Bharat. Special Olympics Bharat is a national sports federation recognised by Special Olympics for the conduct of sports and development programmes in India. Since 2006, the organisation has been organising sports for people with intellectual disabilities, and has more than 1.5 lakh registered athletes.
During her tenure at Himachal Pradesh Chapter of SO Bharat, Dr. Nadda played a prime role in organising snow sports and winter sports. Soon, Special Olympics encouraged differently-abled athletes to participate in competitions in the World Winter Games, where Indian sportspersons displayed their outstanding sporting talent.
In 2021, Dr. Nadda took over as the Chairperson of Special Olympics Bharat. She assumed the role with the challenge of preparing the SO Bharat contingent for the Kazan Winter World Games 2022 amidst a global pandemic. She believes that initiatives like Special Olympics help create awareness and remove barriers for persons with intellectual disabilities. Her vision is that India should have 750 accessible sports centres in all of its cities and at least one disabled accessible stadium in every state. To her, this is not overly ambitious, and can be definitely accomplished with the cooperation of state governments, public sector undertakings and grassroots training centres in every district.
A DISABILITY-RIGHTS ADVOCATE
Persons with disabilities have special functional abilities and a unique identity of their own. Such capable players of our country have time and again presented tough challenges to the players of the world with their talent. However, there are only a few who recognise their talent and dedication, and bring to light their relentless efforts to not only empower many like them, but also to give a bigger message that life is a constant struggle to beat the odds. Dr. Nadda is one of the rare few. In a world where most judge others by appearances and backgrounds, she gives the message of looking at a person’s talent, confidence and hard work. She believes that the “abled society” needs the differently abled as the differently abled need the abled society.
As no two children are the same, it is wrong to expect all the children to perform uniformly. One must also know that children are emotional beings, and not only physical and intellectual beings. The problem is not in
“IN A WORLD
MOST JUDGE
WHERE
OTHERS BY APPEARANCES AND BACKGROUNDS, DR. MALLIKA NADDA GIVES THE MESSAGE OF LOOKING AT A PERSON’S TALENT, CONFIDENCE AND HARD WORK. TO HER, THE “ABLED SOCIETY” NEEDS THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED AS THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED NEED THE ABLED SOCIETY ”
their abilities, but our uniform expectations from them. The PwDs may simply require resources different from those required by the abled children – like Braille books for those with limited or no vision and hearing aids for those who cannot hear properly – to show their true abilities. The shortcoming is with our understanding, and not their capabilities. With this approach, Dr. Nadda attends to every need of these children. The meaningful steps she is taking for their welfare are commendable for every individual and a lesson that if we consider the disabled as an important part of our society, then we can also become a part of their happiness.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
An educator by profession, Dr. Nadda is working as Professor of History at Himachal Pradesh University. The dynamic leader dedicated to putting her vision to work also plays the role of a wife and mother equally well, becoming an inspiration for women of all walks of life.
For her relentless work for the welfare of underprivileged children and Divyangs, Dr. Nadda has been recognised with many national and international honours. The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, awarded her with the Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award in 2010 for her exemplary work in the field of child development. She was also awarded the Derozio Award in 2011 for her exceptional contribution in the field of education, and the Rotary Shreyas Award for her exemplary services in the social sector in 2015-16.
Dr. Nadda ranks prominently in the Fame India – Asia Post Survey of 25 empowered women. ICFAI University, Sikkim, has honoured her with an Honorary Doctorate of Literature.
DR. BINA MODI
NURTURING A PRECIOUS LEGACY
Dr. Bina Modi, the Chairperson and Managing Director of Godfrey Phillips India – a flagship company of Indian business conglomerate Modi Enterprises – is the epitome of women empowerment. The visionary leader lives by three fundamental principles for running a successful business: prudence, humility, and simplicity. With her trailblazing spirit, she has made incredible strides in establishing Godfrey Phillips as a leading organisation in the FMCG sector. She is a role model for many women through her words and decisive leadership
Dr. Bina Modi’s description can’t just be limited to a businesswoman. She is an institution unto herself. She is a leader, an entrepreneur, head of one of Indian industry’s most illustrious business families, and the torchbearer of Modi Enterprises –KK Modi Group’s unparalleled legacy. The Group is among India’s successful business conglomerates with diverse businesses in FMCG, agro-chemicals, retail, fashion, lifestyle, direct-selling, food and hospitality sectors.
Along with being the Chairperson of the
Group, Dr. Modi is also the Chairperson and Managing Director of Godfrey Phillips India (GPI) and Indofil – the Group’s flagship companies. In fact, she is one of the few women Chairpersons in the Fortune 500 India companies. But she wishes to be remembered most for the positive impact that her philosophy and efforts have made on society.
FIRST FORAYS IN BUSINESS
Dr. Modi married Mr. KK Modi, the late founder of Modi Enterprises in 1961. While the name Modi was already making huge waves in the Indian industry, the family was rooted in its traditions. Dr. Modi’s creative fire and passion to make a difference was supported and nurtured by her husband. After acing the roles of daughter, wife, daughter-in-law and mother, she began her journey as an entrepreneur rather late at the age of 40. Her first foray into business was in the fashion industry. With Bina Fashions, she brought glory back to the complex and beautiful art of Parsi gara and chikankari work. With the success of her fashion house, her appetite as an entrepreneur grew stronger.
From fashion, Dr. Modi expanded to the food industry. She brought authentic Italian and Thai cuisines to India’s national capital. Today, Ego is amongst the most popular and sought-after restaurant chains. She further established herself as a successful lifestyle entrepreneur with a luxury beauty salon.
PEOPLE-FIRST PHILOSOPHY
Dr. Modi’s business acumen was appreciated further by Mr. KK Modi. Her partner in life made her his business partner as well by inducting her into Godfrey Phillips India’s Board of Directors, in 2014. Soon after, she also became part of GPI’s Executive Committee, actively participating in strategic business decisions, reconstruction of business processes, and strengthening of the business portfolio. Since her first foray into the world of business, reinforcing the human factor has been as important to her as strategising for building business.
A true leader, Dr. Modi credits her success to her people. Keeping people first is an intrinsic part of her business philosophy. She is determined to empower people for she strongly believes that businesses are successful only when the people involved are confident to do their best and explore their potential. The validation for it comes with the recognition that GPI is one of India’s ‘Great Places to Work’ for four years
“ WITH DR. MODI AT THE HELM, GODFREY PHILLIPS IS SCALING GREATER HEIGHTS. SHE BELIEVES THAT HER ROLE AS THE CHAIRPERSON AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY IS NOT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT BUT A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY WHICH SHE HANDLES WITH GRACE AND APLOMB”
in a row. With her “people first” philosophy, she also has a strong inclination towards community welfare and sustainability. She takes deep interest in the companies’ corporate social responsibility initiatives too. As GPI strengths its sustainability and ESG efforts, Dr. Modi leads from the front.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Dr. Modi has been conferred twice with Ph.D, Honoris Causa. Dr. K.N. Modi University presented her with an honorary doctorate for her contribution to the fields of
arts, technology, management, commerce, agriculture, fashion and hospitality. More recently, Jharkhand Rai University recognised her iconic and outstanding contribution towards society with an honorary doctorate too. In April 2022, she was awarded as ‘Women Transforming India’ by Indo-American Chambers at the ‘6th Entrepreneur Leadership Awards 2022’. In 2020, she received an Award for Excellence in Business by the President of Egypt, at the Women Economic Forum 2020. She has also featured in India’s Most Powerful Women, a book by Prem Ahluwalia. She was awarded the prestigious Achiever’s Award in 2019, and has also been recognised among the ‘Women of the Decade in Business & Leadership 2018’ by Women Economic Forum. AsiaOne’s ‘Women Empowerment Principles Leadership Award, Asia, 2023’ adds another feather to her elaborate cap.
MAKING A MARK
In a male-dominated industry, Dr. Bina Modi has made her mark. Along with being an inspiration for women around the world, she actively supports women in her Group of Companies by ensuring equal growth opportunities for them. With an impressive career that spans over three decades, and a philosophy that always puts people first, Dr. Modi is truly an institution.
With a zeal to identify and address unmet needs in global healthcare, Ms. Jaya Subramaniam leveraged her decades of experience in global biopharma to become a founding leader of a successful healthcare analytics startup Analytical Wizards and spearheaded its vision, growth, VC funding and successful exit to a large publicly held global healthcare intelligence entity, Definitive Healthcare in February 2022. She continues on the Executive Leadership Team of Definitive Healthcare, identifying and driving synergies across the integrated entity.
Ms. Subramaniam has an MBA from the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania. She also holds a Bachelor’s and Masters’ in Economics from the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University. She started her career in the CPG industry and worked for a decade in companies like Diageo Plc and its Indian subsidiary, the UB Group. She worked in various positions across corporate strategy, market research, and brand marketing.
Motivated by using her business skills towards a more meaningful purpose, Ms. Subramaniam made a successful transition to biopharma two decades ago. Her cross-industry global experience helped her gain a broader perspective and worldview, enabling out-of-the-box thinking in an industry that was and continues to experience unprecedented pace of change and transformation.
Her diverse experience enabled her to bring a fresh perspective, challenge status quo, and creatively problem-solve to help businesses, organisations, teams, and individuals successfully navigate change, to innovate, transform and succeed in unchartered territory.
In 2017, Ms. Subramaniam partnered with her husband Ram Sharma, Founder and CEO of Analytical Wizards (AW) and his Leadership Team to build a long-term vision and strategic plan for the company and seek VC funding and investment to turbo charge growth and realise its vision. Through 2017-
18, she led the Strategic Planning and VC negotiations. In fall of 2018, she formally joined AW on its Board of Directors and on the Executive Leadership team as Chief Strategy Officer. She executed the Strategic Plan and Vision by hiring, growing and mentoring a team of biopharma experts, developing the product roadmaps and analytical platforms and accelerators, and establishing the value proposition of its offerings. The company witnessed unprecedented growth with an enviable client base, including 4 of top 6 pharma and 6 of top 10 biotech companies worldwide.
In February 2022, AW merged with Definitive Healthcare, a publicly listed healthcare intelligence and data provider following a successful acquisition that led to financial success not just for the Founders and Leadership, but also for every single employee. The merger was a great strategic fit for the long-term potential and viability of AW’s vision with immense synergistic potential for the combined entity.
Above all, AW’s analytical accelerators have proven to bring scale, efficiency and accelerated speed to insights, as well as deeper, richer, real-time insights to enable bio-pharma companies to commercialise life-saving drugs faster and bring the right medicine to the right patient at the right time, thereby improving and potentially saving patient lives. So, the company built value for its employees, its eventual buyer,
shareholders/investors, clients and to the global healthcare ecosystem.
PURPOSE-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP
Ms. Subramaniam is a visionary leader who inspires teams by establishing a meaningful aspirational vision and common purpose with potential transformational benefit for society, industry, clients, and employees alike. She strongly believes in the adage “Find purpose and the means will follow.”
As a business leader, she has consistently tried to translate her vision into purpose with a clear business plan that is owned and aligned across every team member. She aims at hiring good talent with varied skills and experience that can collectively contribute to the larger purpose. She inspires cross-functional teams to achieve incredible success by inculcating a collaborative and innovative culture while striving for excellence within each functional unit.
Ms. Subramaniam is highly inspired by her parents and closely witnessed their tremendous professional success and social impact despite coming from humble backgrounds and growing up in preindependence India in the midst of World Wars. They rose above the challenges of living in a country through turbulent times. Her leadership skills were shaped by her early childhood experiences and exposure to governance, public policy and administration, as well as sensitisation
VISIONARY LEADER WITH A PURPOSE-DRIVEN APPROACH
With an illustrious career across industries, Jaya Subramaniam is a name to reckon with as a successful global corporate executive of South Asian origin. From being a business leader to becoming a sought-after thought leader, she has broken many glass ceilings and set an example for future women corporate leaders
MS. SUBRAMANIAM HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO LIVE, STUDY, AND WORK ACROSS CONTINENTS, AND HAVE A VERY COSMOPOLITAN UPBRINGING. THIS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR HER TO SEE DIVERSITY AND EMBRACE IT. LIVING IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES MADE HER TRULY VALUE THE COMMON THREAD THAT CONNECTS EVERYONE”
to issues of social inclusion, gender and women’s empowerment. Besides, her parents were in transferable jobs that accorded her an eclectic childhood with lots of travel and learning.
Thanks to her parents, Ms. Subramaniam had the privilege to live, study, and work across cities and have a very cosmopolitan upbringing. This made it possible for her to embrace diversity and change. Today, she has lived, worked and studied across continents, and this diverse experience has played a huge factor in shaping her leadership skills and in her global success. It has also made her witness how change is brought about at the grassroots. Living in different places made her truly value the common thread that connects everyone.
ACCOLADES AND AWARDS
Under her leadership, the company has earned some remarkable accolades. In 2019, it was named one of the Top Predictive Analytics companies by the CIO magazine. In 2020, it was featured in the ‘INC 5000 Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies in the US’ (ranked 1220 on the annual list of companies with three-year revenue growth of 368%). The same year, it was also awarded the ‘INC 5000 NY Metro Regional Award’ presented to the fastestgrowing companies. In 2020, it was named the ‘Top AI Solution Provider’ by Retail Tech Media. Enterprise World recognised it for ‘Transforming Healthcare Analytics.’ In 2022, My Tech featured AW among the ‘Top 10 AI’ Healthcare Solution Providers.
WORDS TO LIVE BY
Ms. Subramaniam draws inspiration from multiple sources, from her seniors, colleagues, partners and subordinates alike. She strives to learn and imbibe the best from all around, and believes in the ability of ordinary individuals to achieve extraordinary things. According to her, the power of a committed collective team working towards a meaningful purpose is greater than anything else.
CHAVI RAITANI
GUIDING LIGHT FOR THE YOUNG GENERATION
She inspires hope, ignites the imagination, and instills the love of learning among students. Chavi Raitani is successfully achieving every goal that she has set in the field of education. Keeping up with the dynamic nature of the education system, she is making sure that her students receive only the best of it
Every leader has some life mantra that they swear by. Madam Chavi’s passion is building the future of the nation. For years, she has been working hard towards the all-round development of her students. She believes that education is not just about learning bookish knowledge but building a strong character through physical, mental, spiritual, social, and cultural awareness. As the Founder and Manager of Guru Kripa Divine Grace Public School, she is fulfilling this dream by providing high-quality education and care.
STORY OF TRUE DEDICATION
The beginning of Madam Chavi’s dream was as
humble as one can imagine. In 2004, she started the school under a tree at Nepal Border in the district of Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. The vision was simple — she wanted to uplift the level of education in the area. Within a few years, she was able to introduce various programs such as the Graded Examination for Spoken English (GESE) through Trinity College, London, Scientific Assessment Program ASSET (Ei), Design For Change, Joy of Giving, and many more for the all-round development of the children.
One major milestone came in 2008 when she shifted the school to its campus, at Ranjitpur, Bahraich. As the years went by, Madam Chavi kept working towards the betterment of her school. In 2012, the school got an affiliation from the CBSE and added ‘secondary school’ to its name. Five years later, she led her school to national tournaments and even won two Life Empowerment Awards in New Delhi. Her vision is still the same but her dedication has become even stronger. Madam Chavi seeks inspiration from her Guru who has helped her come a long way.
HUMANITARIAN AT HEART
Imparting education is just one part of Madam Chavi’s visions. Her humanitarian nature does not stop here. Instead, she makes sure that through her school, she is able to partake in as many CSR activities as possible. Over the years, she has actively participated and organised initiatives such as education for the underprivileged students, distribution of relief material, tree plantation drives, and other health and fitness programmes. Madam Chavi is also an active part of national programmes such as Swachh Bharat as she is dedicated towards the nation and its citizens.
Madam Chavi is also sensitive towards women’s issues. She has allowed women teachers to bring their babies to school where they are looked after well. Once the child gets older, they get school education free of cost. Madam Chavi also lent the helping hands to hundreds of people during the pandemic. She arranged school vehicles for migrant workers so that they can return to their native villages safely and also contributed to food distribution drives.
FELICITATIONS AND AWARDS
The humanistic and dynamic leadership style of Madam Chavi has not gone unnoticed. She has been awarded several accolades and honours in the past few years. She was felicitated with the Women’s Achiever Award by Uttar Pradesh’s Governor Smt. Anandiben Patel. Some other awards that decorate her office are Atulya Vidya Ratan Samman, Best Educationist of the Year, and Samagra Shiksha Empowering India Awards.
“SHE MAKES SURE THAT THROUGH HER SCHOOL, SHE IS ABLE TO PARTAKE IN AS MANY CSR ACTIVITIES AS POSSIBLE”
Her school has also received awards for its outstanding performance and top-notch education. All this has happened due to Madam Chavi’s unwavering faith and determination. She ensures that her students become torchbearers in the society when they go into the real world. Such accolades and awards are proof that she is on the right path.
Deepitha earned her MS in Management from the COX Business School at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She has been associated with industry pioneers, and utilised the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as a guide. The program was developed with Steven R. Covey’s educational coaching division to instil leadership principles in students and teachers. At present, she is the Director and Brand Co-Founder of M S Dhoni Global Schools. The institution was incorporated with a mission to give students a comprehensive education to make them competent professionals and self-aware human beings. Mr. M S Dhoni, the superstar cricketer, has been all praises about Deepitha’s excellence in the institution’s management and nurturing students as a family.
DRIVING FORCE
“FOR EFFECTIVE CLASS DELIVERY, SHE CREATED A NEW DEPARTMENT TO TRAIN AND DEVELOP SKILLS IN TEACHERS”
Deepitha considers her father, Mr. Kotha Ramesh Babu, as her driving force, from whom she has inherited her passion. Her father’s management and leadership skills have positively impacted her, and she attributes her success to him.
DEXTERITY AND PERFECTION
An exceptional leader, she aims to empower people beyond their immediate environment and touch a larger section of society. In her quest to do so, she feels privileged to be part of the M S Dhoni Global School, which focuses on pan India and aims to mark its footprints worldwide soon. Her commitment to honesty, ethics, and putting the needs of her institution first has yielded enormous growth for the institution. With her ideology, she leads a solid team driven by the simple formula of inspiring students and creating a healthy, nurturing and encouraging work environment.
MODERNISING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
Adhering to her commitment to delivering the best, Deepitha and her team are working in partnership with Microsoft to train 1,00,000 students and 1,000 teachers. The institute also places a strong emphasis on CSR initiatives. She believes that students are the torchbearers of society, and leaves no stone unturned in her efforts to work as efficiently as possible. Year after year, she participates wholeheartedly in planning the school’s future development.
DEEPITHA KOTHA RAMESH BABU
PRIORITISING QUALITY EDUCATION
Staying calm during crisis, determination, and mental agility define perfection for Deepitha Kotha Ramesh Babu. She believes that a team can perform any task when individuals have these qualities. She addresses any difficulty or issue head-on, with complete sincerity, honesty, and, most importantly, by making it enjoyable
Moreover, to support effective class delivery, she created a new department dedicated to training and skill development of teachers.
FUTURISTIC APPROACH
In Deepitha’s opinion, adapting to change is essential if you want to stay ahead in this era of technological innovation. She has accomplished this herself while facing many unforeseen challenges at different points. At M S Dhoni Global School, she has consistently been considered a motivator instead of just a Director. She strives to be an inspiration for the institution by delivering quality in execution and integrity in her conduct.
AWARDS AND ACCREDITATION
Her dedication to education and positive attitude of not settling for anything less than the best has earned her many accomplishments. She has brought to the institute titles such as Microsoft Showcase School status for the fourth consecutive year and awards like the Education-World School of Eminence Award and the Education Icon Award-Best School in India for Effective Implementation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
DR. FARAH MOHAMMED
BREAKING STEREOTYPES WITH BEAUTY AND BRAIN
Brave, affectionate and beautiful – Dr. Farah Mohammed is the quintessential modern-day woman. Even though she was born into a middle-class family and got married at 19, she never let go of her dreams. Instead, she strived hard and kept herself prepared for the future. Today, she feels proud to call herself ‘Mrs. Taj Universe’
Dr. Farah’s success story is no less than a tale of hardships. Her life swung her through many ups and downs before she could achieve her dreams. She was born into a middle-class family in Khammam, Telangana. Since she was the house’s eldest daughter, when she grew up, she supported her family financially by teaching at schools. Yet, while doing so, she did not stop her studies.
When Dr. Farah got married at 19, she thought her personal growth would come to a standstill. Fortunately, it didn’t happen to her. Dr. Farah’s new family supported her dreams with much enthusiasm. She pursued higher studies to get her LLB and even an MBA. She continued her work and became the Human Rights and Social Justice Mission and Women Empowerment Secretary of Telengana.
In 2021, everything changed for good. With support from her husband, Mohammed Asif Iqbal, family members, and friends, Dr. Farah auditioned for Mrs. India 2021 Beauty Pageant. A mother of two, she was the only woman from Telangana to participate in the contest. She won the title of ‘Mrs. India Photogenic’ in the ‘VPR Mrs. India 2021 Beauty Pageant Season 2’. Later, she also won the ‘Mrs. Taj Universe’ title, setting new standards in the beauty industry.
PASSIONATE TO SERVE SOCIETY
Dr. Farah’s most beautiful trait is her passion for serving society. She inherited this humanitarian heart from her father. He was a tailor by profession and a philanthropist at heart. He even established a primary school and a village clinic. However, due to financial issues, both initiatives could not survive. Now, Dr. Farah wants to take those unfinished projects and lead them to success. She also wishes to empower women by encouraging them never to leave their dreams behind, even after marriage.
She believes that women should strive to pursue their talents instead of confining themselves to domestic life. For this, Dr. Farah consistently offers her help through Human Rights and Social Justice Missions and Women Empowerment. Her motto is “Inspire the Next.” With this thought, she plans to offer free education to children and start an old-age home.
In recognition of her contribution to the field of human rights, Dr. Farah was awarded an honorary doctorate by the World Human Rights Protection Commission (WHRPC) in September 2022. She has also become a member of the World Human Rights Protection Commission.
WINNING THE WORLD
Dr. Farah’s story is no longer hidden. She has been featured in top publications. Fox Story India named her among the 50 top powerful women for her inspiring journey. BBC also documented her story.
Dr. Farah has also received several awards and accolades. She was awarded the title “Sthree Shakti” and given the All India Women Achiever Award. She also received a certificate of recognition from Rise and a certificate of admiration from Brics Academy, to name a few.
“SHE CONSISTENTLY OFFERS HELP THROUGH HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE MISSIONS AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT”
In 2021, Dr. Farah Mohammed became a Naari Ratna Award winner from Bharatiya Ratna Awards. Fashion Lifestyle Magazine also named her “Women Achiever” in the same year. The list of her awards and honours does not end here. Her life took a 360-degree turn, and now her name is marked among women who make India proud.
Leadership is a trait that many people learn later in life. However, it is inherent when it comes to Dr. Shalya Raj. Her mentorship has been instrumental in the institution’s growth for the past few years. She intends to continue striving for world-class education for her students.
IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE WITH DEDICATION
“SHE UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH IN ACHIEVING NEW MILESTONES IN LIFE”
Dr. Shalya Raj’s tryst with education began long ago. She completed her graduation from the SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad, and then pursued a Master’s in Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics from Subharti Dental College.
Over the years, she published numerous research papers and articles and even authored academic books. Her sense of purpose and passion for academic excellence impressed the board of trustees of Swami Vivekanand Subharti University so much that they chose her as the CEO of the university.
Under Dr. Shalya Raj’s aegis, the university continues to create new knowledge through research, provide extraordinary patient care, maintain excellence in the classroom, and care for the community.
Dr. Shalya Raj is more than a celebrated academician and teacher. She is a good clinician, a trained Kathak dancer, and a Hindustani classical singer. Her versatility has made her an integral part of all the cultural as well as social events of the university. So, she not only guides students in academic fields, but also encourages them to nurture their artistic streaks.
THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Her dedication to the environment is also commendable. She is an ardent environmentalist who loves to ‘Go Green.’ Due to her efforts, the Subharti University campus is filled with lush greenery, and has adopted innovative initiatives such as solar-driven vehicles, rainwater harvesting, and compost pits, among others. Dr. Shalya Raj also started the “One Person Adopts Two Trees” initiative on the campus wherein students, teachers, and the non-teaching staff participated.
One more impressive initiative of Dr. Shalya Raj is the donation drive in collaboration with “Unmukt Bharat.” As a part of this organisation, she conducts donation drives for underprivileged people where she collects food, medicine, clothes, etc.
The list of her good deeds does not end here. Dr. Shalya Raj has also started a free crèche facility for working women on campus.
DR. SHALYA RAJ
BALANCING LIFE AND SUCCESS EFFORTLESSLY
A leader with strong beliefs and an innovative approach – that’s how one can define Dr. Shalya Raj’s striking and charming persona. The Chief Executive Officer of Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, she is an inspiration to numerous students who are being groomed at the institution to be the future of the country
BALANCING LIFE AND SUCCESS
Maintaining the perfect work-life balance is Dr. Shalya Raj’s forte. She manages her personal life while passionately working for the Swami Vivekanand Subharti University. She understands the importance of physical and mental health in achieving new milestones in life; therefore, she regularly indulges in outdoor activities such as badminton and swimming. She also loves spending time with her children and imparting her beliefs and values to them.
WINNING ACCOLADES AND HEARTS
Dr. Shalya Raj leads by example and has received multiple awards and accolades over the years. For instance, she was named the CEO of the Year by SUMMENTOR PRO. In 2020, she was also bestowed with The Education COVID-19 Warrior of the Year 2020 Award by Asia Today.
She also received a Certificate of Special Achievement, Naari Shakti Ko Pranaam, from Brijbhoomi Foundation. In addition, in 2021, the Arunodaya organisation bestowed her with The Influential Women Award for her inspiring journey.
DR. SHWETA GOEL
SPEARHEADING THE BEST EYE CARE CENTRE IN INDIA
A renowned ophthalmologist and an skilled surgeon, Dr. Shweta Goel is the Founder of Vinod Super Specialty Eye Centre in Noida (UP). Established in 2018, VEC is the initiative of the PGI alumna to provide high-quality and affordable eye care using latest diagnostics and innovative surgical technologies
Dr. Shweta is a well-qualified ophthalmologist and consultant eye surgeon with 12 years of clinical and surgical experience. Out of these 12 years, she has worked 6 years as a specialist in cataract, medical retina and glaucoma treatment. She is an expert in diagnosing and managing eye-related ailments and has successfully performed over 10,000 complicated eye surgeries, especially those related to cataracts.
STELLAR CREDENTIALS
Dr. Shweta is Delhi Medical Council, Medical Council of India, and UP Medical Council certified ophthalmologist and an important member of the professional bodies in the medical fraternity
such as HOS, All India Ophthalmological Society, UPSOS and ROAA. She has had work stints at PBMA’S H. V. Desai Eye Hospital Pune, Venu Eye Institute & Research Centre New Delhi, ICARE Eye Hospital Noida, VEIRC Eye Hospital Bulandshahr (UP), VEIRC Eye Hospital Ramnagar (United Kingdom), Vardan Eye Hospital Ghaziabad (UP), NEH (an NGO run by CBM) Mathura, and SRF Eye Hospital, New Delhi.
AN EXCELLENT ACADEMIC RECORD
Dr. Shweta completed an MS in Ophthalmology from PGIMS Rohtak. After her Master’s, she undertook training and fellowships in Advanced Cataract Surgeries, Phacoemulsification, FICO Basic, PTHVDEH, MBBS, MICS, and other specialties to gain expertise. Dr. Shweta has passed the Basic Science Examination in Ophthalmology conducted by the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO). She has also participated in many specialised ophthalmology workshops held at prestigious medical organisations, namely Guru Nanak Eye CentreMaulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) New Delhi, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences Rohtak, CFS Education Programme Hyderabad and New Delhi, Shroff’s Eye Hospital New Delhi, etc.
BACKBONE OF THE EYE CARE CENTRE
Dr. Shweta has conducted complex surgeries, including Trabeculectomy (glaucoma surgery), Phacoemulsification, Extra Capsular Cataract Surgery (ECCS), Micro Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS), Pterygium Extraction with Conjunctival Autograft and Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS). Under her guidance, Vinod Eye Centre’s team strives to preserve, enhance and protect its patients’ vision in the best way possible. The centre has rich medical expertise, ocular imaging and highly advanced equipment to diagnose and treat eye problems accurately.
AWARDS AND SOCIAL INITIATIVES
Dr. Shweta has many publications and presentations in the local and national forums. She is the co-author of many chapters in the book series, Modern System of Ophthalmology (MSO) by Dr. A.K. Khurana (Author). Dr. A.K. Khurana acknowledged her academic contribution to the 6th edition of the book, Comprehensive Ophthalmology.
Dr. Shweta has also been an art admirer and fitness enthusiast. She secured the first position in Dainik Jagran painting competition held in Delhi NCR and a gold medal in the female weightlifting championship (Anytime Fitness) in 2018.
“HER TEAM STRIVES TO PRESERVE, ENHANCE AND PROTECT ITS PATIENTS’ VISION IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE”
Dr. Shweta has left no stone unturned when it comes to her contribution to society. She has been honoured by Inner Wheel and Lions Clubs for performing free cataract surgeries for poor patients. Her initiative, “Simply Eye by Dr. Shweta,” makes people aware about eye health. It is a blog/portal that provides online access to ophthalmology resources. It is a one-stop shop where anyone can access all eye-related articles, study material, picture galleries, and recent eye health updates.
Under her competent leadership, Champion’s Group is recognised as one of Asia’s fastest growing and award-winning global enterprises — with over 18 companies and 5,400 employees spread across 108 countries. A computer engineer by profession, her remarkable foresight and innovative ideas have led the organisation to become a formidable brand in the last decade, with consistent yearly revenue growth. She is a shining example of a superwoman entrepreneur with many thriving businesses to her credit. From digital marketing technology firm Champions Infometrics, business real estate infrastructure development with Champion Infratech, global nautical luxury solution offerings with Champions Yacht to textile and fashion apparel endeavours named Aaboli India and Attitude Fashion, she has proved her mettle in several business spheres.
“HER DEDICATION TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE LIVES OF HER FELLOW CITIZENS RESULTED IN HER STARTING CHAMP.FIT”
Her dedication and will to positively contribute to the lives of her fellow citizens resulted in her starting Champ.Fit, a brand selling organic immunity supplements and wellness products, including smart diagnostics. She credits her global exposure and technical skills as the secrets to her success. For her, entrepreneurship is the way to pursue a dream. It is something that brings her happiness. For her, a perfect business leader is hungry to take up challenges and see through them, and she is a stellar example of how it is done.
ACHIEVEMENTS GALORE
Her remarkable global work and business experience in numerous fields and industries across continents have earned her international recognition. In 2021, she was recognised as India’s most promising business leader at the Economic Times Awards. For her unparalleled accomplishments, she was listed as the “Top 50 Asian Female CEOs to Watch in 2019” by The CEO Magazine She has created a strong identity with her business endeavours and is the winner of the Dun & Bradstreet Business Eminence Award, Asia, 2019-2020. She is also the first woman promoter of the Indian National Rally Championship Motorsports (INRC) and President of INRC. She has been instrumental in bringing the Indian National Championship Finals to the Southern States. Due to her efforts, the final championship, held at Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, saw the participation of a women’s rally team for the first
HEMA MALINI NIDAMANURI
AN ENTHUSIAST FOR THE AVANT GARDE
The Managing Director and Founder Member of the renowned business conglomerate Champions Group, Hema Malini Nidamanuri is an award-winning global business icon, influential educator and passionate humanitarian. She has built the brand with patience, focus and perseverance to create a unique platform unrivalled by peers
time in 2020. She has earned a reputation for being an enabler and mentor by supporting the growth of new entrepreneurs and start-ups in over 108 countries. Her book, The New Frontiers of Nautical World is the first book of its kind to address nautical tourism.
WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE
Hema is a benevolent woman who takes corporate social responsibility seriously. Her initiative, SWANTHANA, lends support to mentally and physically challenged female youngsters. She is associated with several women empowerment projects as she believes in fostering gender equality. Her commitment to providing women with self-defense sessions has been transformational for the organisation’s female employees. Further, she has created new avenues for growth for women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds and cultures. She actively gives back to society through multiple charities and the causes close to her heart, supporting local old-age homes or organising vaccination drives during the pandemic. She relentlessly continues to pursue her mission of transforming lives and grooming young leaders to take on new challenges.
RAMA IYER
TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION
Director General, WPP India Foundation and alumna of Sustainable Capitalism and ESG Online, University of California, Berkeley – School of Law, Rama Iyer has decades of distinctive competence in social development and CSR. The proficient leader is driving change by helping underprivileged youth with skills to earn and be a part of the mainstream
WPP established the WPP Foundation in India with a primary focus on improving the education apparatus and training for sustainable livelihoods. The Director General of the WPP Foundation, Rama, believes that education can improve lives considerably. With this as her guiding principle, the Education to Livelihood (E2L) programme was launched to target student retention, improve academic outcomes, develop subpar academic performance, work-related skill development, and entrenched social norms that hamper education. Since the establishment of the WPP Foundation in 2015, Rama and her team have worked tirelessly to identify their beneficiaries
— children and their communities. Since June 2016, Rama has been operating the E2L programme, which covers approximately 20,000 students from 10 government-aided schools in uran, peri urban and rural geographies, of Mumbai and Delhi NCR and Haridwar. Rama elucidates that each child in this programme is supported for seven long years, right from when they join the 6th grade in their schools till they complete the first six months of their job placements through the livelihood programme at age 18. Moreover, she and her team work with students moving from primary to secondary schooling (11-18 years old) and guides them in the journey of choosing life goals for a secure future. Through teacher training and leadership programmes, she ensures that school authorities are empowered and involved in designing these programmes.
THEORY OF CHANGE TECHNIQUE AND OTHER INITIATIVES
Under Rama’s supervision, the foundation has hired various top educationists to create a unique curriculum. Resultantly, the Theory of Change technique was created, resulting in 96 percent class attendance and a dropout rate of only 3 percent. With the tremendous efforts of Rama, more than 600 kids have got work-ready training, and 70 percent of them have either received an industrial placement or continued their studies. Under Rama’s aegis, other initiatives like the Spoken English Initiative were also introduced. The programme aims to make first-generation learners fluent in everyday English and improve their communication skills. Similarly, under the Digital Learning Initiative, children build their DIY computers and learn about computer hardware and software using the KANO computer kit. Many students have learned to code and develop gaming applications.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS APLENTY
“RAMA’S EFFORTS AT WPP INDIA HAVE BROUGHT OVER 90 PERCENT OF STUDENTS TO SCHOOL”
Rama envisions that WPP India’s CSR Foundation would help India’s underprivileged youngsters achieve better learning outcomes and take more informed career decisions. Rama’s efforts brought over 90 percent of students to school, which is far higher than the country’s. More than 70 percent of the youngsters who participated in the livelihood programme now have jobs or are pursuing further education. Also, through a 20-day intensive codingbased curriculum, the enterprise has doubled children’s ability to code. Even gender disparity among WPP students has decreased. Furthermore, children’s levels of literacy and numeracy have grown. In the last three years under Rama’s leadership, the WPP Foundation has achieved remarkable results acknowledged by government and business forums. It has also received several awards, such as the CSR Project of the Year Award in Livelihood at the India International CSR Awards; Best CSR Case Study at NHRDN-BimTech CSR Summit; Company with the Best CSR Impact Initiative at India CSR Summit; Special Commendation at Golden Peacock Awards for CSR; and Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) for Social Empowerment for the Journey from Education to Livelihood Programme.
Miracle and belief are two crucial foundations of alternative healing practices. For Ms. Vandana Sharma, these have been inevitable parts of her journey as a healing professional. She unlocked the potential of “Powers of Powers” and dedicated her whole life to using energy, and bringing happiness and peace to others’ lives. She established Sekhem Healing Centre Pvt. Ltd. in Jaipur to touch as many lives as possible globally. The centre is now serving people from all castes and religions and healing them from cancer, blindness, autism, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Thalassemia, MS, OCD and other deadly diseases. Ms. Sharma’s strong belief in her ability to heal others comes from the success in treating her diabetes, heart problem, arthritis, fibromyalgia and hernia without medication or surgery. Her superpowers work equally great on humans, plants, animals and even machines. She has changed weather, flight timings, rescued people from flood and hurricanes and from crashing in stock market. The centre offers more than 50 services and programs, namely the SuperHuman / SuperKid Program, Parenthood with Power of Powers, SuperPowerBusiness Program, SuperSportsPerson Program, Employee Engagement Program, Spiritual Heart Connection, Manifestation Masterclass, Kundalini Awakening with Power Of Powers, and so on, to cater to different needs of her clients. So far, she has healed over 19,000 people, and the number is increasing day by day.
BEYOND HEALING
“VANDANA SHARMA REVIVED MORE THAN 7,500 COVID-19 PATIENTS WITH HER HEALING
POWERS”
Foundation (India), Indian Space Society Trust (India), and Bring A Smile On Every Face On This Planet Initiative (UK).
GARNERING GLORY
Ms. Sharma is counted as the most powerful energy healer of all times. Several platforms have recognised her fantastic work globally.The Governor of Rajasthan, Mr. Kalraj Mishra presented her with Emerging Business Icon Award for her entrepreneurial endeavours. She was Recognised as “Change Maker” by Economic Times and NavBharat Times for her extraordinary contribution to the field of healing, health and wellness. She received the Extraordinary Leadership Award in Health, Healing, and Wellness 2022 in Dubai. She has featured in top publications such as Fox, Khaleej Times, First India, Women Entrepreneur India, Economic Times, ZEE Business, Rajasthan Patrika,Daily Hunt, and Asian News. Earlier a homemaker, Ms. Sharma is now an inspiration to women as she has emerged as a leading entrepreneur and influencer. However, she is not ready to stop here. She is the daughter of The Divine Power of Powers, so her healing is a magical experience for everyone and so she has the courage and confidence to reach the zenith of success.
Ms. Sharma is not a Superwoman of the 21st Century just because of her extraordinary healing powers. She is also known for her entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropy. She is the Chairperson of Astra Edutech Association, SaAstra Superkids Preschool, VanJay Digital, VanJay Business Strategic Consultants, Sky Tech Exports, Power Of Powers Foundation, and Indian Space Society Trust. She knows the dynamic nature of these times and keeps up with the recent market and technology trends. This is why her business grew even during the pandemic. Ms. Sharma invested her time in helping people during the pandemic. She started a mission called “Bring A Smile On Every Face On This Planet” and revived more than 7,500 COVID-19 patients with her healing powers. She also provided them with food, clothes, and shelter during that period. Her tireless humanitarian efforts encompass education for girls, marriage, woman empowerment, and healthcare. She has started schools for orphans and children with disabilities. Currently, she runs three NGOs, namely, Power of Powers
VANDANA SHARMA
THE DIVINE HEALER - MEET THE TIME HERSELF
Nurturing the power of healing, Ms. Vandana Sharma has illuminated the lives of thousands of people across the globe. This superwoman has shown her mettle in the world of spirituality and is now willing to extend her help to spread love and positivity. She has also forayed into the field of education and philanthropy to accomplish her mission
18th Edition
Asia-Africa Business and Social Forum: Awards & Business Summit & Greatest Brands and Leaders 2021-22
Asia-Americas-Africa
The 18th Edition of Asia-Africa Business and Social Forum: Awards & Business Summit was organised on 25th of August’22 at the majestic Taj Palace Hotel, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi by URS-AsiaOne Magazine & URS Media Consulting P.L. The magnificent event witnessed the gracious presence of the Hon’ble Minister of State for MSME Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Steel and Rural Development, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Consul Generals from South Africa, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, the Gabonese Republic, Guyana, Kingdom of Lesotho, Ethiopia, Gambia, Morocco, Belarus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Rwanda, Georgia, North Macedonia, and Republic of Montenegro along with Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee
Keynote speech by Mr. Rajat Shukal at the 18th Edition of Asia-Africa Business and Social Forum
Keynote speech by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma (Left to Right) Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Dr. and Dr Vishwajeet Rana
Unveiling the upcoming Greatest Brands & Leaders 2021-22 Magazine and Greatest Leaders Asia-America-Africa 2021-22 Coffeetable Book by Dr. J C Chaudhry, Mr. Mukesh Thakwani, Mr. Pankaj Jain, Mr. Amardeep Singh Hari, Shri Ajay Harinath Singh and Mr. Atif Rahman
(Left to Right) Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Shri Ajay Harinath Singh and Mr. Rajat Shukal Keynote speech by Prof. Sasmita Rani Samanta, Industrial Technology (KIIT)
Verma, Dr. J C Chaudhry, Shri Ajay Harinath Singh Keynote speech by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Steel and Rural Development, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste
Mr. Rajat Shukal and Dr. J C Chaudhry felicitating H.E. Mr. Joel Sibusiso Ndebele, Ambassador of South Africa to India with the Knight of Honour Award 2021-22
(Left to Right) Lamp lighting by Dr Vishwajeet Rana, Dr. J C Chaudhry, Prof. Sasmita Rani Samanta and Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma
Mr. Rajat Shukal and Prof. Sasmita Rani Samanta felicitating Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee with Bharatiya Mahanatam Vikas Puraskar 2021-22
Samanta, Vice Chancellor, Kalinga Institute of (Left to Right) Ms. Paola Martani, Mr. Rabindra Narayan, Ms. Ramya Hariharan, Ms. Srisha Mohandoss and Mr. Gur K Serai
Mr. Rajat Shukal and Dr. J C Chaudhry felicitating Madam Joséphine Patricia NTYAM-EHYA, Chargé d’ Affaires of the Gabonese Republic in India with the Knight of Honour Award 2021-22
Mr. Rajat Shukal and Dr. J C Chaudhry felicitating H.E. Mr. Jason Hall, High Commissioner of Jamaica to India with the Knight of Honour Award 2021-22
Mr. Rajat Shukal and Dr. J C Chaudhry felicitating H.E. Mrs. Yasiel Alines Burillo Rivera, Ambassador of Panama to India with the Knight of Honour Award 2021-22
(Left to Right) H.E. Mr. Joel Sibusiso Ndebele, H.E. Mr. Mustapha Jawara, Dr. J C Chaudhry, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma and Mr. Rajat Shukal launching the biography ‘J. C. Chaudhry - The Incredible Aakash Story’
sia-Africa Business & Social Forum 2022 Awards & Business Summit was a high-level Business Summit where the growth engines of the entire world were felicitated, and relevant discussions on the world economy were held.
Global Indian of the Year / Global Asian of The Year 2021-22 / Global Leader of The Year 2020-21
Only par excellence leaders & brands from across India, the UAE, Africa, and US are worthy of being selected as AsiaOne Global Indian of the Year, Global Asian of The Year 2021-22, and Global Leader of The Year 2020-21 and only 12 exclusive leaders were felicitated at the Summit for their special work in the industry and society:
Mr. Suresh Krishna, Mr. RK Agrawal, Mr. Mukesh Thakwani, Mr. Vikash Kumar Vikash, Mr. Amandeep Kochar, Mr. Amardeep Singh Hari, Mr. Atif Rahman, Mr. Pankaj Jain, Mr. Rakesh Khanna, Dr. Harmeek Singh, Mr. Sandeep Tiku, and Mr. Nehchal Khanna.
COVID-19 Commitment Awards
We recognize such leaders who have perceived the current challenging times as an opportunity to rise above the rest and have thereby contributed to the revival of the economy and collective welfare of society, nation and the world at large. Following the recipients of the prestigious award: Shri. Faggan Singh Kulaste, Shri. Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Shri Gautam Gambhir, Her Highness Ms. Diya Kumari, and Mr. Mika Singh.
Main Brand Awardees include:
SPAY Technology Pvt Ltd, Hitachi Systems India, Kamdhenu Ltd, Kamdhenu Paints, RD Infra Equipments, LIV BAR, Draupadi Dream Trust, Nikhila Constructions & Developers, HORIBA, Prabudas Lilladher, APL Apollo Tubes, Joint Managing Director, Airox Technologies Limited, C&V Associates, E’clat Superior (Baxium Health Science), Smartr Logistics, NASWIZ Retails Pvt. Ltd., Royaloak, Royaloak, Shree Sati Pipe, Accedian, Kesari Tours, Suryadev Alloys & Power Limited,
Max Multi Speciality Hospital, Converge Biotech, BLACKbox by Synersoft, Cargopeople Logistics and Shipping, Padam Interiors, Bonn Nutrients, Studie’o7, Vermeiren India Rehab Pvt Ltd., Director & CEO, Tiranga Logistics Pvt Ltd, Mysore Sales International Limited, Gillco Group, Reliance Securities, LUX Industries, Indfrag Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., Greytip Software Pvt. Ltd., ORO24 Real Estate Development, Aaseya IT Services Pvt Ltd, Horizon International Group of Companies, Vertiv, Quintes Global, Chennai, Meenakshi Academy of Higher education and Research, Alniche Life Sciences, Som Distilleries & Breweries Ltd, Green Belt and Road Institute, Global Education Holding Group (GEDU), IPMC Ghana, CFO and Director Techurate Systems Pvt Ltd, Prisma AI, PTC Network, Dyna Biotech, Plan b Group, and AJMS.
Main Leader Awardees include:
Mr. Nikhilesh Tiwari, Mr. Anuj Gupta, Mr. Sunil Agarwal, Mr. Saurabh Agarwal, Mr. Rahul Deshmukh, Mr. Umang Tewari, Ms. Neera Mishra, Mr. Srinivasa Rao Veluvolu Managing Director, Dr. Rajeev Gautam, Mr. Dilip Bhat, Mr. Sanjay Gupta, Ms. Amisha Vora, Mr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Ms. Chandrani Prasad, Mr. Sandeep Gupta, Mr. Yogesh Dhingra, Mr. Santosh Chandrakar, Mr. Vijai Subramaniam, Mr. Mathan Subramaniam, Mr. R.K. Jalan & Mr. Ajay Kumar Jalan, Mr. Rajesh Pathak, Ms. Zelam Chaubal, Mr. Mukesh Agarwal, Dr. R. S. Mishra, Mr. Arun Kumar Bijjala, Mr. Vishal Shah, Mr. Manuj Adlakha, Mr. Shankar Kularia, Mr. Manjit Singh, Mr. Rajesh Kumar K, Mr. Syed Riaz Qadri, Mr. Deb Mukherjee, Mr. Gaurav Kundu, Mr. Vikash Kumar Vikash, Mr. Tejpreet Singh Gill, Mr. Lav Chaturvedi, Mr. Ashok Todi, Mr. Philip Samuel, Mr. Girish Rowjee / Mr. Sayeed Anjum, Mr. Atif Rahman, Mr. Pankaj Jain, Mr. Mahesh Patil, Mr. Anand Sanghi, Mr. Rakesh Sinha, Dr. Sundeep Aanand Jagathrakshakan, Mrs. Jayanthi Radhakrishnan, Mr. Girish Arora, Mr. J. K. Arora, Mr. Erik Solheim, Dr. Vishwajeet Rana, Mr. Amardeep Singh Hari, Mr. Harshavardhan Pusala, Dr. Shreeram Iyer, Mr. Rabindra Narayan, Dr. Vinodkumar Patil, Dr. Harmeek Singh, and Mr. Abhishek Jajoo.
Keynote speech by Dr. J C Chaudhry, Founder & Chairman, Chaudhry Nummero
H.E. Mr. Jason Hall, H.E. Mr. Charrandass Persaud and Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma felicitating Mr. Rabindra Narayan, Managing Director & President, PTC Network with World’s Greatest Brands & Leaders 2021-22 Awards
H.E. Mr. Mustapha Jawara, H.E. Mr. Joel Sibusiso Ndebele and Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma felicitating Mr. Vikash Kumar Vikash, Managing Director, Mysore Sales International Limited with the Global Indian of the Year 2021-22 and India’s Greatest Brands 2021-22
Most Influential Young Leaders are Chosen Annually through a Passionate Research, Scouting across 16 Industries of Business and Leadership. Only the Most Worthy are Chosen. If You Also Feel That You Have It in You, Then Apply for Open Nominations on global@asiaoane.co.in with 500 Words on Your Achievements
SANIA MIRZA
RISHABH MARIWALA
Co-founder, Soap Opera N More Director, Sharrp Ventures
Youth is an Age of Achievements, Maturity & Triumphs - both Personal & Professional. Most Influential Young Leaders is a Compilation of Young Leaders from all over the world
MANASI KIRLOSKAR Executive Director & CEO, Kirloskar Systems Limited
CELESTIA FAITH CHONG Mrs Chinatown International All Nation & Beautiful Skin 2018-19, Director/Beauty Inspirer, Beauty De Concierge PL
ADAR POONAWALLA Chief Executive Officer, Serum Institute of India
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS 2023
Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes, but those under 40 have an edge over others. These youth icons have crossed the journey from being “a dreamer” to “an achiever” in leaps, becoming inspiration for many others planning to take this path. Driven by zeal and determination to bring a change in economy and society, these star performers are not only armed with ideas, knowledge, experience and self-confidence, but also stamina to overcome unending challenges. Entrepreneurship makes them see opportunity everywhere, from a business idea to people who can help them grow their business. In the latest series of presenting young innovators, whose ideas are not only outstanding, but also trailblazing in overall impact, AsiaOne Magazine introduces its readers to the next bunch of under-40 business leaders, who are expected to set the tone for business in the near term. These founders, executives, and investors are creating and seizing opportunity, reaching more people, building upon their successes and exploring new avenues, while encouraging and empowering others to begin their entrepreneurial journeys
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
Apart from being a karmayogi, who is living the dream, Ananya Birla is driven by the vision to bring about a positive change in society. Her venture Svatantra Microfin supports women entrepreneurs in the rural areas to grow and become financially more secure.
PLAYING PLEASANT NOTES
Ananya always chose to do things differently. A quiet, observant and introspective child, she had an interest in music since an early age. She learnt to play santoor when she was just 11 years old. As she grew, so did her interest in music. She taught herself to play the guitar with the help of video tutorials on the web. This was the beginning of a passion that continues to grow even today. She is an acclaimed singer who writes her own songs. ‘I Don’t Want to
ANANYA BIRLA
A TALE OF MIND, MELODY, AND MIGHT
The multifaceted personality, Ananya Birla is not only a successful entrepreneur, singer and songwriter, but also a quite popular youth icon. Besides successfully launching her first start-up Svatantra Microfin, she has been making great strides in the international music industry
Love’ is her much acclaimed song which first brought her to the music scene. She was signed as an artiste by the Universal Music Group (India). Her debut single ‘Livin the Life’ was launched worldwide in November 2016. ‘Meant to Be’ is the second international single to be released in July 2017 and has been certified ‘PLATINUM’ as per the standards followed by the Indian music industry, which makes her the first Indian artist to go Platinum.
EMBRACING LEARNING FROM ALL DIRECTIONS
“SHE EXEMPLIFIES THE COURAGE TO LET GO OF THE COMFORT ZONE AND PURSUE ONE’S DREAMS BY WORKING HARD”
Ananya studied at the Oxford University, UK, where she pursued degrees in Economics and Management. As a student, she developed keen interest in music and started singing and playing the guitar; while still managing her microfinance venture Svatantra over Skype calls with a capable team back home in India. During her stay in London, Ananya also worked as a counsellor for a student welfare charity. She met and interacted with many young people of her age who were suffering from anxiety and depression. This experience shook her from within, and after returning to India, she set up a mental health initiative called Mpower along with her mother Neerja Birla. Mpower works to stamp out the stigma towards people with mental illness in India. It also sensitises people towards mental illnesses like anxiety and depression that are so common in our society today and can be controlled with family’s cooperation. She felt a greater need to start Mpower because in India, it is difficult to change perceptions related to mental health, so she decided to take up the challenge of repairing the innate conditioning of the people which perceive mental illness as an evil. Her venture Mpower is a timely step in this direction as it is high time to fight for rights of people with mental illness and help them to be understood and treated supportively like any other person who is unwell. Under her able leadership, The Mpower centre provides holistic mental health care solutions to children, young people, and adolescents, and their families. The foundation helps people with psychological difficulties lead meaningful lives without social exclusion. It also helps create awareness by organising workshops for the youth. Ananya’s entrepreneurial instincts led her to start an e-commerce platform - Curo Carte - which is a global ecommerce platform that provides handmade and high-end luxury products, curated from nine countries. The online portal is an amalgamation of design, beauty and lifestyle, and offers around 1,500 products across 70 categories. An inspiration to today’s youth, Ananya Birla exemplifies the courage to let go of the comfort zone and pursue one’s dreams by working hard to be the best at each and every endeavour, and light up the way for others simultaneously.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
ANANT GOENKA
CHARTING HIS OWN ROUTE TO SUCCESS
Mr. Anant Goenka, Executive Director of The Indian Express Group, is an entrepreneur par excellence and a key figure in the field of journalism. The influential leader has a high degree of intellectual integrity and stands by his convictions
Anant has been fascinated with journalism since he was a child. During his college years, he was a noted blogger on The Huffington Post. The passionate leader graduated from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He earned his Master’s Degree from the Annenberg School for Journalism, USC, with Dean’s scholarship. He has been efficiently carrying forward the legacy of excellence established by his father, Mr. Viveck Goenka and his grandfather, the Late Shri Ramnath Goenka, the Founder of The Indian Express Group.
A SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
Anant worked at Spenta Multimedia and with Bloomberg’s commercial division in the UK before joining The Indian Express Group in January 2012 as the Head of New Media. He was appointed as Executive Director in July 2016. Since then, the tenacious leader has focused relentlessly on retaining the legacy of The Indian Express Group’s uncompromising, independent journalism and growing its reach across print and digital media.
KEEPING THE LEGACY ALIVE
Anant has been guiding The Indian Express Group’s digital growth following its enduring values of fairness, accuracy, and courage in a news environment dominated by political activism and yellow journalism. These values instilled by his grandfather continue to shape the group’s investigative journalism even today. Under his leadership, The Indian Express Group has become one of the largest digital news groups in the world, with 190 million unique readers per month. It is now publishing in 6 languages including Malayalam, Tamil and Bengali. Mumbai’s Loksatta has emerged as the most popular Marathi website in the country, surpassing the dominant regional media organizations. In the first week of its launch, Loksatta’s Android app was downloaded 10000 times, which is quite an incredible feat. Additionally, Jansatta. com, India’s largest Hindi news site, is also operated by The Indian Express Group. In 2017, Anant spearheaded the launch of ieMalayalam. com, a website dedicated to bringing quality journalism to Kerala. It was quickly followed by ieTamil. The Indian Express Group is a rapidly
growing digital-first news entity with ambitious plans to grow in new markets both in India and globally along with a slate of exciting new products launching in emerging content formats. Anant’s goal is to use technology as a catalyst to help perpetuate Ramnath Goenka’s legacy of fearless and ethical journalism around the world. He’s enthusiastic about expanding The Indian Express Group’s reach into new markets and formats as he envisions the emergence of three distinct types of news media in India over the next decade.
A BORN LEADER
Like his grandfather, Anant is also one of the most vocal advocates of investigative journalism. A series of investigations conducted by The Indian Express Group under his direction, including the Panama Papers, Videocon-ICICI transactions, WhatsApp lynchings across India, and vacant engineering colleges, have shaped public discourse and sparked policy reforms.
STRIKING THE PERFECT WORK-LIFE BALANCE
“ANANT IS ONE OF THE MOST VOCAL ADVOCATES OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM”
Having been a teaching assistant in college to the course “History of News Media in America,” Anant has a rare hobby of collecting old newspapers and magazines from around the world. He is also an aviation buff, flies propeller aircrafts recreationally. He makes time to play the drums and other percussion instruments and cherishes the time he spends with his 20-month old son Aarav Raam.
GLOBAL YOUTH ICON OF THE YEAR
Navin founded Parabellum International in 2010 while he was a university student with no experience. Nevertheless, he was optimistic that he could build a WA-headquartered company with deep resources that would provide compelling careers for its people and long-term partnerships based on service delivery that would add real value to its clients.
The company quickly gained traction and is now a thriving global leader in emergency response, healthcare, risk management, and training services. A well-defined strategy and inclusive leadership have allowed him to lead the company to become a market leader in the Emergency Services, Medical & Safety Industries. Today, the organisation provides its clients with a wide array of services, including firefighting and emergency response services, medical services, health, safety and emergency management systems, emergency response vehicle and equipment hire, sales, design & maintenance services, and emergency response and medical training. The leader spends equal time with his clients, the industry, and his business. With a broader peripheral vision, he strives to stay ahead of his competitors by ensuring Parabellum always adds value.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Navin started Parabellum International with just two people, and took only a few weeks to grow to 25 employees. With his unwavering effort, the ambitious leader catapulted the organisation to new heights of success. He says, “The strain was immense, but everyone tackled it together and worked hard to build our company, and Parabellum International was born as a result.”
Today, the company is a thriving business with offices worldwide and hundreds of employees. Its proven operational experience in high-risk and remote locations is unsurpassed in the onshore and offshore oil, gas, mining, resources, energy, government, defence and waste sectors.
Navin founded Parabellum on a set of core values and beliefs that form the foundation and guiding principles of the company. He emphasises the significance of agility, transparency, and making a difference in the lives of others, which sets him apart as a leader. These values also shape the organisation’s actions, decisions, and overall culture. He recognises that agility is critical for success in today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving business environment. Thus, he encourages his team to be nimble, adaptable, and open to new ideas and approaches. Likewise, by fostering an environment of transparency, Navin sets the tone for a positive and productive work culture.
Lastly, Navin and his team are driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Through his business practices, community involvement, and philanthropic efforts, he aims to make a difference and leave a lasting legacy. These core values also serve as a rallying point for his employees and help them create a sense of purpose and meaning within the company.
PEOPLE COME FIRST
Under Navin’s leadership, Parabellum International’s key priority is to ensure the safety of its clients’ projects and deliver “measurable value” throughout the entire project life cycle so that its clients can
meet their project deadlines and budgets. To ensure the successful completion of projects, the team strives to continuously monitor and improve processes and communication while delivering valuedriven results. This approach has led the company to emerge as a trusted partner for delivering top-notch results at any stage in the life cycle of a project. Parabellum’s team of dedicated experts led by Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, Jessica Keogh, support client’s projects in all phases, from exploration to operations, in the short, medium, and long term. They go the extra mile to ensure that their client’s requirements are met with the utmost dedication and precision. They are dedicated to bringing the highest levels of customer satisfaction and quality to their clients, providing the best outcomes for even the most complex tasks.
MAJOR CAREER MILESTONE
Navin is a shining example of success. Over the years, he has accomplished several milestones that have elevated his company to the top. His company was awarded its first contract based on its excellent service standards, demonstrating that its innovative approach was well-received and promising. While developing Parabellum, Navin cultivated an inclusive and diverse leadership style that is completely immersed with his workers and clientele. Navin appreciates the importance of teamwork and works closely with his team, collaborating on ideas while fostering a culture of open communication. He also strives to build solid relationships with clients, seeking to understand their needs and finding creative solutions to their challenges.
The young business leader had to take risks since he was starting from scratch. Navin, always the entrepreneur, understood the importance of measured risk taking from a young age which he used his savings as capital to start his own business. These savings allowed him to cover the initial costs associated with starting a new venture. He also borrowed money to buy the significant assets he needed to fulfil contracts. During the first two years, Navin did not collect a salary, ensuring the company had enough cash to grow. Instead, he invested his money to ensure the company had a bright future. He believes in setting realistic expectations to deliver the best possible product or service. “This mantra not only drives our operations, but also shapes our corporate culture,” he says.
A SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS LEADER
Navin’s commitment to the community is a substantive part of his business strategy. Over the years, he has facilitated the development of state-based skills through indigenous collaboration. Furthermore, he took the lead in developing skills from the ground up in Western Australia to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parabellum is deeply committed to minimising his organisation’s environmental footprint by consistently selecting products and equipment that cause the least harm to the environment.
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Navin has received acknowledgements regarding his leadership from his peers, clients, and colleagues. He is a winner of Western Australia’s Business News 40 under 40, which is a recognition of the brightest young business leaders in Western Australia. Navin is now pursuing the top position in the APAC region for providing privatised services in emergency management, medical care, risk management and training services. He also aims to expand further into government and defence services where Parabellum can continue to make a difference in the lives’ of people around the world.
THE AMBITIOUS LEADER CATAPULTED THE FIRM TO NEW HEIGHTS OF SUCCESS. “THE STRAIN WAS IMMENSE, BUT EVERYONE TACKLED IT TOGETHER AND WORKED HARD TO BUILD OUR COMPANY, AND PARABELLUM INTERNATIONAL WAS BORN AS A RESULT,” HE SAYS
NAVIN VIJ
GOING ABOVE
AND BEYOND
Mr. Navin Vij, the Founder, CEO and MD of West Australia-based Parabellum International Pty Ltd., is a dynamic market leader lauded for his innovative approach to business. In addition to his insights and unique perspectives, the young leader’s dedication, intelligence, and drive are known for bringing a new perspective to the market. Navin’s philosophy of success is rooted in working hard and being creative, which enables him to stay ahead of the competition and provide the best solutions to customers
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADER
There are plenty of inspiring stories in the business world, but not all of them star an ordinary man who became a national name due to his hard work and sharp business acumen.
Opesh Singh’s journey is among those rare tales of success. He started his business career at the age of 21. Within a few years, his empire grew exponentially. Today, he is a proud founder of Opesh Group, which operates in India, Africa, Canada, and many more.
THE LEAP OF SUCCESS
Hailing from Jaipur, Opesh Singh is now a renowned figure in the business world in India and abroad. But all this was not there 15 years ago. Then, he was just a young graduate who wanted to make it big in life. Thus, after completing his Bachelor’s in Computer Science, he decided to start his firm.
In 2005, he laid down the foundation of the Opesh Group. The venture was initially involved in the drilling and mining sectors. As the years passed, he tapped the global markets to expand his business. His hard work and never-give-up attitude helped him penetrate the African markets relatively quickly. He also partnered with Premium Consulting in Greece to build a strong foundation across international markets.
After 15 years, he runs his business in different countries with various ventures like Opesh International Private Limited, Opesh Consultancy Private Limited, Opesh Store Private Limited, Opesh Singh Foundation, Goldessa, Vyoma International Ltd., and Megha Nath Gold Field. The firms are involved in several businesses, such as mining, construction, consultations, export-import, and manufacturing. His company was also accredited for helping many start-ups and enterprises go ‘local to global.’ As of 2022, the Group has offices in 15 countries. In the upcoming years, the entrepreneur plans to expand his base to over 100 countries.
COACHING MILLIONS
Being a businessman is just one part of Opesh Singh’s success. He is also known for his exceptional mentorship and consultation, which have helped him become a brand himself. Talking about this initiative, he expressed that he faced many hurdles when planning to expand his business internationally. That prompted him to offer guidance and mentorship to other companies and entrepreneurs who faced a similar issue.
Opesh Singh has curated numerous training and mentorship programs for business enthusiasts to guide them about market research, business strategy, business planning, overseas expansion, and so on. During the pandemic, he helped more than 50 companies in expanding their business overseas.
Looking at the rise of digital platforms, he started his YouTube channel to reach as many people as possible. He teaches entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts on creating export and manufacturing business and taking these to the global level. He also shares the secrets of his success with them.
CLIENTELE SPEAKS
Today, Opesh Singh’s massive client list speaks the story of his success. Some of his best clients and associates are, A.V. Overseas, Abhiraj International SARL, Focus Mining Pvt. Ltd., Maalo International Ltd., Sonymon International SARL, Blackstone
Transcontinental SARL, Pankaj Ivory SARL, The Avenues, Bikaji, Globenex International SARL, Infrica BIZ, and many others. He has started multiple ventures to meet the needs of his clients, like Opesh Store to import and export products and merchandise through his Global Infrastructure and Team.
FOLLOWING A SIMPLE SECRET
The secret of Opesh Singh’s growth is not unique. He follows the tried-and-tested methods, and that has worked incredibly for him. The only thing that has made a difference is his perseverance and hard work. The mentor believes that success can be achieved by simply sticking to the schedule and being religious about the roles and responsibilities. He also encourages entrepreneurs to stay upto-date with the technology and branding techniques of the market. A positive mindset and broad perspective are two key characteristics that have made him one of India’s top business people.
With such strong traits, he is leading a team of experts at Opesh Group while constantly juggling with his academy. But since he is a jack of all trades, Opesh wins in every field he steps in. The solutions that he offers are realistic and quantifiable. For this, he connects with the clients in daily sessions and provides tailor-made solutions based on their needs and business portfolio.
THE AUTHOR INSIDE
The entrepreneurial journey of Opesh Singh has been fascinating. And so has his journey as an author. Since he knows that everyone cannot afford personal coaching and guidance, he took the time to publish several books that turned out to be best-selling titles in no time. These books include Setting up Business in Africa, Win Sales Game, Do Export & Become Rich, Let’s Become A Ruling CEO, and others. This young entrepreneur guides Indians to establish their businesses abroad through these books. His books have made complicated business topics easy to understand and taught how to apply them in the current economic environment.
He has also authored around ten business programs, specially curated for business people who wish to take their projects to international markets.
THE HUMANE FOUNDATION
Opesh Singh is one of those businesspeople who do not just aim at making profits. He also believes in giving back to society. Over the years, he has contributed selflessly to various social service activities. While working in African countries, he saw the dismal condition of children in terms of nutrition and education. He was deeply affected by the fact that many of these kids did not get proper food, clean water, and education. Thus, in 2021, he founded Opesh Singh Foundation with his business partner Megha Nath.
This initiative aims to help children in Africa get access to the best possible education for a better future. The foundation seeks to achieve this goal by collaborating with established partners to start educational programs in the country.
Recently, Opesh Singh launched foundation activities in Rwanda with the support of the non-profit organisation, Children’s of Rwanda. Through this program, he is working towards financial literacy, education, entrepreneurial development, and mentorship programs for the youth.
OPESH SINGH
MENTORING SUCCESS SAGAS
Young, pragmatic, and charming— Opesh Singh is that multifaceted businessman who has not only taken his career to great heights, but also guided hundreds of startups, budding entrepreneurs, and small and big companies. Today, this enthusiastic business owner is reaching significant milestones and expanding his name globally
“OPESH SINGH HAS CURATED NUMEROUS TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESS ENTHUSIASTS. DURING THE PANDEMIC, HE HELPED MORE THAN 50 COMPANIES IN EXPANDING THEIR BUSINESS OVERSEAS”
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
Every entrepreneur experiences some life-changing moments that push them to start their business journey. For Abrar, it was a simple realization that something was missing. Even though he had a successful career while working at top positions in American companies, he always felt a void. But unlike many people, Abrar followed his heart. He used his extensive experience to launch his own niche management consulting firm — Agile Brains Consulting. What started as a one-person company is now a multi-million-dollar organization with clients spread globally. This, however, is just a beginning of a bigger dream.
FROM CORPORATE TO CONSULTING
Abrar started his career in the corporate sector after completing his degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Drexel University in the USA. He joined a startup as a software
ABRAR HASHMI
UPSKILLING TECHNOLOGY ENTHUSIASTS
Abrar has everything that one needs to become a wunderkind. He is young, passionate, and has helped organizations worldwide utilize technology better. As the Founder & Chief Evangelist at Agile Brains Consulting, he is adding massive value to the lives of his clients while making them work
developer a decade ago. Just 21-years-old at that time, he practiced coding and tested games for a company that made electronic table games for poker. Later, Abrar stepped ahead and took his first managerial role as a Technology Services Manager at The Edcomm Group Banker’s Academy. While being in this job, he got the chance to work closely with global clients and learn the ins and outs of e-learning. Over the next couple of years, Abrar climbed the corporate ladder serving a variety of roles — from Development Director and Process Coach to Agile Program Manager and Enterprise Portfolio Lead. Finally, he embraced his entrepreneurial spirit and established Agile Brains Consulting. This was his successful attempt at creating a platform that helps companies and knowledge workers across the globe deliver products and services faster.
SPEARHEADING BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
Under the leadership of Abrar, Agile Brains Consulting has grown rapidly and is now churning out revenue in millions of dollars and has achieved numerous awards from INC 5000, Forbes, CIO Applications and many others. It has 100+ consultants, trainers and coaches from all over the world that help him assist clients globally. The company has a spectacular client portfolio of Fortune 500 clients and the list continues to grow. All this has become possible because of two reasons — Abrar’s vision and his team. He wanted to create an organization which focused on value-delivery and would focus on serving as technology advisors rather than transactional sellers. Therefore, he created a proprietary award-winning framework “Assess, Brainstorm, Coach” to help companies improve process flow and deliver value faster. As for the second reason, he believes that the greatest asset of Agile Brains Consulting is the A-class team that he built during his challenging days. This humble gesture, in turn, shows the empathetic nature of Abrar’s personality that undeniably makes him a great leader.
TRUE TO HIS ROOTS
“UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, THE COMPANY HAS GROWN RAPIDLY AND IS CHURNING OUT REVENUE IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLARS”
Most leaders are often influenced by their experiences and initial learnings. Abrar is one of them. Born and brought up in Abu Dhabi, he still believes that the earliest lessons he learned were from his parents. While his mother taught him to always do the right thing, his father encouraged him to follow his passion. As a result, he chose a business where he follows his passion of empowering people with requisite skills through consultation and training. This perfect amalgamation helps him to stay motivated and content with his work every day. He knows that he is on a mission and it is the right one.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
ADARSH NARAHARI
CREATING NEW AVENUES FOR YOUR SECOND INNINGS
Adarsh realized the need to build the state-of-the-art spaces for senior citizens and paved the way for Primus Senior Living Homes (in 2013) – one of the most luxurious senior living communities in India, giving best of care, comfort and convenience to elders
Primus helps elders reduce the process of ageing by eradicating loneliness and ensuring ‘Zero Falls’. We ensure being proactive than being reactive, a set of assessments are done before onboarding elders so that they can be monitored under a customized care plan by our in-house medical team. Adarsh’s main objective is to improve the quality of life for elders.
THE VISIONARY APPROACH
Young, passionate, and confident, Adarsh has always believed in the excellence that comes with experience. Thus, when he thought of devoting his time to building a senior care facility, he did not jump into the entrepreneurial journey impulsively. Instead, he decided to gather data and experience to create a relevant model. So, he traveled across countries to study the best practices in geriatric care. From understanding the model of retirement communities to living with them, he did it all to discover what is best for seniors. Finally, in 2013, he launched Primus Reflection – a safe haven for elders offering complete senior care via a robust and self-sufficed ecosystem. It was such a success that the project was awarded the ‘Senior Living Project of the Year’ at the Realty Plus Awards, 2014. Under his supervision, the company was felicitated with Times Business Award 2022 –The Best Senior Citizen Community, ET Business Excellence Award 2020 – Excellence in developing in Senior Living Community, Times Business Award 2021- Best Senior Living Community in Bangalore, & Realty+ Award – Best Senior Living Project of the year 2019. His goal for Primus is to be the leading CCRC Player and be there at every stage of an elders life.
ACING AHEAD WITH PASSION AND KNOWLEDGE
Under the leadership of Adarsh, Primus has seen tremendous growth. From 200 units, now Adarsh has signed up for 2000+ units across India in four cities, namely Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Bangalore. And this is not the end. More than 1500 branches are in pipeline and he
will soon launch at-home geriatric services. This accelerated growth of Primus is a direct result of Adarsh’s passionate and skilled business acumen. The hands-on knowledge that he gained while pursuing a Master’s degree in Construction Management from the University of Leeds helps him understand how to make his real estate projects successful. As for his engineering base, it comes from his graduation in Industrial Engineering and Management from the RV College of Engineering in Bangalore. In fact, he gets involved in all the projects right from conceptualization, planning, and development, through the marketing and sales phases, leading up to the post-sales support for the project.
EN ROUTE TO BIG THINGS
While Primus is close to Adarsh’s heart, he also invests his time in other ventures. For instance, he is also a Managing Partner of ReWild Retreats LLP, which specializes in gated communities of managed, uber-luxurious farmhouses. He has also partnered with India’s largest warehousing player, Indospace Logistics Parks.
“THE ACCELERATED GROWTH OF PRIMUS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF HIS PASSIONATE AND SKILLED BUSINESS ACUMEN”
His business portfolio also includes land banking & aggregation along with the development of residential and office spaces. He was recognized with Times 40 Under 40 Award 2020 and Young Entrepreneur Award Construction Times for his remarkable contribution in developing senior care communities. And looking at his long list of achievements and accolades, it is right to say that the sky is the limit for him.
MOST INFLUENTIAL BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION LEADER
In the last eight years, Aditya Kejriwal has been instrumental in making customer experience strategies that have worked wonders. Moreover, he has added new milestones to expand the company’s focus on building a customer-centric culture. As a result, Cardinal Health has become a top choice in the healthcare space. It is no doubt that Aditya’s strategies have turned fruitful. He plans to improve the home-based patient experience by building a new program. He is leveraging technology to execute the transformational changes that would significantly impact their direct-to-customer business. In simple terms, he understands his customers’ dynamic needs and is ready to launch solutions that address the challenges.
A TRAIL OF SUCCESS
What Aditya has done for Cardinal Health
ADITYA KEJRIWAL
THE TRANSFORMATION EXPERT
During his remarkable career spanning over two decades, Aditya Kejriwal has left no stone unturned to learn about customer experience and business transformation. Now, he is using his expertise and learning to upscale Cardinal Health’s CX and business transformation strategies
is more of a recent milestone. However, his trail of success is far longer.
Before entering the business world, he made sure he gained all the knowledge and credibility by studying in some of the finest colleges in India. He earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious National Institute of Technology, Rourkela in 2000. He later shifted to the US to start his career with Cognizant.
However, he returned to India after five years to study again. This time, Aditya was surer of his career, which is why he pursued an MBA from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. The course gave him an insight into strategic marketing, and he then began the journey of a bright future.
Aditya experimented a lot with his career for the next few years. From IT space and consulting to banking and healthcare, he worked in several industries to gain expertise in strategic management. He worked with and led several significant transformations in companies such as Credit Suisse, JP Morgan, Citibank, SwissRe, Morgan Stanley, Merryl Lynch, and many others. During these jobs, he also travelled extensively, which helped him get a global perspective of the field.
Finally, Aditya joined Cardinal Health in 2014. Since then, he has taken many transformational roles ranging from program managing transformation of customer support services to the position of subject matter expert in cost optimization initiatives. Now, he is using all his expertise and experience to push the growth graph of Cardinal Health.
ESTABLISHING A NAME
Aditya Kejriwal’s leadership is known all over the industry. This is the reason he is often invited as a speaker at various events in the health space. In 2022, he was invited to the International Customer Experience Awards 2022.
He has also been invited as a key speaker at the Process Excellence Network World Summit 2023 to address business leaders across the industry. He is a judge at the International Business Transformation Awards 2023 and Stevie Awards 2023.
“A RECOGNIZED SPEAKER AND PANEL JUDGE AT MULTIPLE GLOBAL EVENTS, HE ALSO WRITES ARTICLES ON BUSINESS”
In addition to being an industry expert, Aditya is also a member of Mensa International (High IQ Society), American Mensa, and is a Certified Project Management Professional. Like every remarkable leader, he does not shy away from sharing his industry insights on Customer Experience and Transformation. Thus, he often writes and publishes several blogs and articles on digital platforms such as the Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
AISHWARYA BANSAL
A BILLION DOLLAR VISION FOR MILLION DOLLAR SMILES
Aishwarya Bansal has been instrumental in heralding the future of real estate in India, Co-founding the brand Smartworld. With her dynamic and diligent nature, she aims to make her company, Smartworld Developers Pvt. Ltd., one of India’s top three real estate developers in the next three years
An alumna of Harvard Business School, Aishwarya cofounded Smartworld Developers in 2021 in Gurugram with a vision to deliver unparalleled excellence in the real estate industry. She used her comprehensive understanding of global markets, her family’s rich and proven experience to achieve milestones that are praiseworthy. The company’s flagship projects in Gurugram, Smartworld Orchard and Smartworld Gems, were a big hit in the first year of their inception. Aishwarya works with a futuristic approach and is determined to provide customers with a luxurious and comfortable living space with a touch of innovation. Aishwarya’s dedication, enthusiasm and passion for her profession gave her the taste of success when her organisation sold homes worth ₹4,000 crore within just 5 months post launch of the projects.
AN AMBITIOUS SHERO
Real estate is still a male-dominated industry. However, with relentless efforts and her family’s support, Aishwarya optimistically entered the industry and created a unique space for herself. She believes in empowering women and that nothing is impossible for a courageous heart. A supporter of equal opportunities for all genders, Aishwarya ensures that her company maintains a healthy gender ratio and all women employees have an equal say in the company’s decisions. Women aspiring to become a realtor can learn a lot from her professional journey. She is already an icon to many women.
MAKING A MARK
Aishwarya guides her team to provide the most innovative and luxurious home designs to the consumer. She studies customers’ needs and aspirations thoroughly before finalising any project and targets use of advanced and smart technologies to set new benchmarks in construction, operations, customer service, unmatched delivery schedules at friendly customer-price points.
The team of dedicated professionals in the organisation ensure that customers get the property at the best price, location, and amenities that suit their lifestyle.
A WOMAN WITH A HEART OF GOLD
Aishwarya’s philanthropic nature is one significant asset of her character. She participates enthusiastically in various humanitarian programmes and social initiatives. She believes that a leader must give back to society. To fulfil this idea, she helps the underprivileged by donating money and food, and distributing blankets and clothes to the labourers. Her name was also highlighted when along with Dainik Jagran, she supported Arpan, a social initiative to share some warmth and help the needy people in the cold weather of Delhi NCR.
A REWARDING JOURNEY
“AISHWARYA PARTICIPATES IN VARIOUS SOCIAL INITIATIVES AND BELIEVES THAT A LEADER MUST GIVE BACK TO SOCIETY”
Aishwarya’s contribution to the world of real estate and the betterment of the people and society helped her achieve many awards. She has received the Inspiring Women Award by the Economic Times and the 40 Under 40 Business Tycoons Award 2022, and the Marketing Meister Award by Prestigious Brands of India amongst others. Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust appreciated and felicitated her for her humane endeavours. Under her leadership, her company also bagged many awards, for instance, the Iconic Real Estate Brand-Delhi NCR, Residential Project of the Year Award and many more.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
Courtesy of Mr. Ali Kochra’s diligence and consistency, Kochra Realty is a well-recognised company in the market today. His primary focus is to transform stressed projects into successful and profitable ones. He ensures timely delivery, quality lifestyle, and value creation. Each project is undertaken after a thorough analysis.
Mr. Kochra is one of the youngest entrants in the real estate sector. In a short period, he has spread his business in many upscale localities such as Bandra, Andheri, and other premium suburbs of Mumbai. He plans to start with the development of around seven projects this year.
The strength and credibility of the developer could be seen in the upcoming project, Aadhayay, which was stuck for ten years before Mr. Kochra decided to take it up. Now, after a
ALI KOCHRA
BUILDING SUCCESS BRICK BY BRICK
The Chairman and MD of Kochra Realty, Mr. Ali Kochra ventured into the real estate industry in 2020 to develop world-class properties across the globe. Within a short span, he has created a special place for himself in the industry, and made his firm a trusted name in the real estate sector
decade, this first chapter, Aadhayay in their book of success, is due for delivery this year. Mr. Kochra’s hard work helped him achieve the Best Emerging Realty Brands Award by ET Best Brands Awards in 2022. He also bagged the Emerging Real Estate Company Award by Lokmat-Network 18 Awards 2022.
COMMITTED TO CUSTOMERS
Mr. Kochra and his team have set a firm footing among the other reputed real estate agents in Mumbai by ensuring customer safety and customer satisfaction. He prefers to build a regular clientele and add new clients on the referral of his existing clients.
The team of Kochra Realty has insider knowledge of the workings of the Mumbai realty market and each project is approached keeping the end user in mind. Mr. Kochra is aware of the wide gap in the real estate market. Therefore, he takes up distressed projects and turns them into functional and aspirational spaces for living. He surpasses the customers’ expectations by creating modern real estate marvels at affordable prices.
GOLDEN RULES OF INVESTMENT
Mr. Kochra helps his clients to invest smartly by following the real estate market’s golden rules. He firmly believes that a reasonable investor must be thoroughly knowledgeable about the fundamentals of investment and aware of his assets, expenses, and income. Then, he emphasises on setting a specific investment goal for financial independence. Then, working on long-term goals with better value is always good.
In addition, Mr. Kochra advises that one should invest in properties with a positive cash flow and a higher rate of return. In his view, location also plays a significant role, as it is critical to attracting the right tenants. He follows these factors to achieve success in his professional and personal life.
A STRONG PILLAR FOR THE TEAM
Mr. Kochra has successfully built a team that can contribute to his vision and turn challenging projects into successful ones. The business model is designed around robust processes that can easily unlock potential from a difficult task. He has successfully negotiated with the government, developers, and customers, and other stakeholders.
“MR. KOCHRA TAKES UP DISTRESSED PROJECTS AND TURNS THEM INTO FUNCTIONAL, ASPIRATIONAL LIVING SPACES”
As a leader, Mr. Kochra trusts his team and keeps things simple. He does not believe in enforcing his views and ideas on the workforce, but instead gives them the opportunity to think and ideate, and he stands by them as a pillar when solving their problems.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
ANISH MAHESHWARI
ACHIEVING DREAMS WITH PASSION AND DETERMINATION
Success tastes sweeter when someone achieves it when it is the result of hard work and perseverance in the face of adversity. It is a reality for Anish Sevaram Maheshwari, CFO, Navkar Corporation Limited, who has beaten several odds to lead one of the most esteemed firms in the logistics sector
The value of experience reveals itself when a leader is faced with tough decisions. It becomes even more challenging when finances are involved. For Anish Maheshwari, such choices are no longer demanding. Instead, he uses his years of experience to create exciting plans and strategic initiatives to accelerate the growth of his firm. A tactical financial leader, he worked in the industry for more than two decades, and now the ease with which he handles complex relationships speaks for the expertise he had gained in these years.
Mr. Maheshwari’s mastery over finance has earned him the position of Chief Financial Officer at a firm he joined in 2008. He is now known for his exceptional knowledge in finance verticals, accounts, governance, business planning, tax management, fundraising, and investor relations. He currently plays a vital role in all the key strategic initiatives, projects, and built capabilities of the company.
Under Mr. Maheshwari’s leadership, the company delivered its IPO. The experience is one of the highest points of his career. He still recalls how challenging the task felt, but he knew nothing could shake his belief in what he was doing. He finally delivered Rs. 650-crore worth of IPO and FPO, and helped the organisation close worth Rs. 2,500 crore of debt through various mediums. Not only this, he spearheaded the deal of Vapi CFS of Navkar Group with Adani Ports. The deal was so huge that it made the Group debt free.
THE BACKSTORY
To be where he is today, Mr. Maheswari worked exceptionally hard. He first attained the education qualifications. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the International Business Management Institute, Germany. He also did his Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards from the same institution. He then completed his Diploma in Infrastructure and Project Finance from the International
Academy for Certification and Training.
As for his career journey, he first came to Mumbai in 1999 to work as an executive at a textile firm. After working for seven years in the same industry, he decided to start something of his own. Within two years, he understood that to achieve success, he needed the magic of knowledge and experience. So, Mr. Maheshwari restarted his career as an executive. This time, he applied the knowledge and experience, along with his skills and proficiency, to yield excellent results. As a result, today he is living the dream he aspires for. As the CFO of Navkar Group, he is leading a team of over 100 people, each of whom looks up to him as a kind and enthusiastic leader.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
For his contribution to the industry and outstanding progress, Mr. Maheshwari has been recognised by several organisations through awards and accolades. In 2020, he was named “CFO of The Year” by World Leadership. He was ranked among NationWide Awards 40 Under 40 – Top Influential Corporate Leaders, and Business Achievers Icon 2020. He was also honoured with the Rashtriya Vikas Ratan Award by the National Achievers Recognition Forum (NARF – Government of India) in 2021. He also received the Corporate Leadership Award from the National Achievers Recognition Forum the same year.
“HE SPEARHEADED THE DEAL OF VAPI CFS OF NAVKAR GROUP WITH ADANI PORTS – A DEAL THAT IT MADE THE GROUP DEBT FREE”
In addition to awards, Mr. Maheshwari has been featured in national and international magazines due to his inspiring success story.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
With school, sports, and activities filling the day, the closest most kids ever get to entrepreneurship is playing business board games. But for some kids, the spirit of entrepreneurship catches on at an early age. And today, more kid entrepreneurs are changing the small business landscape. Aryen is one such living example of entrepreneurial spirit.
At an age when most kids are busy playing video games, Aryen had the foresight and talent to create video games. From an early age, his liking for playing video and mobile games fuelled his curiosity about gaming and new technologies.
Interest combined with ambitions, he studied and developed an understanding of software products and services. Together, these motivated him to start an IT company named OAO (Online-Aryen-Organization)
ARYEN SURESH KUTE
AN ASSET TO THE GAMING INDUSTRY
The Founder and CMD of OAO Info India Private Limited, Aryen Suresh Kute, is an entrepreneur par excellence. He has been pushing boundaries in the gaming industry from a very young age. Under his guidance and wise leadership, OAO INDIA has released four games in different genres globally
INDIA.
Aryen’s every action is aligned with his vision and mission. He has been proactively leading OAO INDIA to release four games in different genres globally: Krishna MakhanMasti (puzzle bubble shooting game), Indian Food Baash (Match-3 food puzzle game), Rise of Warr (strategic card game), and War Zone (action-packed soldier game). In addition, the company is all set to launch its newest game, School Time, an endless runner game.
The other big projects he is working on include multiplayer AAA games, which are different from the previous games released globally. OAO INDIA’s games are available on multiple online app stores of prominent brands such as Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, Micromax, Google and Apple.
ACHIEVEMENTS GALORE
All children develop at their own pace, but some set the bar high by reaching significant milestones early. Aryen is a whiz kid who is a business magnate in the making. He has received the ‘Sakal Yuva Sanman Award 2022’ and ‘Lokshahi Pune Ratna 2021 Award.’
Besides, he has been recognised as the ‘Youth Icon in Gaming and Web Development 2022’, ‘Most Innovative Younger Entrepreneur 2021’, ‘Global Youngest Achiever of The Year 2021’, and ‘Youngest Entrepreneur Award 2019’. Given the talent and dynamic entrepreneur that he is, Aryen is going to reach great heights in the future. Inspired by his parents, he did not give up on striving ahead during the pandemic.
With his never-say-die attitude, he steered his team in the right direction and maintained a constant influx of revenue. In addition to focusing on business, he is constantly striving to make a difference in society by actively participating in charitable initiatives through Kute Group Foundation.
AN EXCITING NEW FUTURE
“ARYEN CONSTANTLY STRIVES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOCIETY BY ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN CHARITABLE INITIATIVES”
Aryen is very optimistic about the future and believes that the next five years will be full of opportunities for OAO INDIA and the Indian gaming industry. His long-term goal is to create a stellar reputation in the global market, launch new games, expand the customer base, migrate to new technology platforms, and adapt new tools to develop entertaining and engaging games. With eyes set on emerging technologies in the future, he thinks that the Metaverse will take the gaming industry to the next level, and there will be a proliferation of consoles, smartphones, and AR/VR headsets. He has already started working with his team in this direction to stay ahead of the competition.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
ASHISH BHASIN
THE CHANGEMAKER
Mr. Ashish Bhasin, Director of Marmo Solutions, has built his company with sheer hard work and years of extensive research. A believer of collaboration and an environment of trust, respect and open communication, he has accomplished success through values-centered leadership
Mr. Bhasin founded Marmo Solutions in 2013 with a small fund. The company specialises in high-quality adhesives, polishing and post-polishing solutions, cleaners, stain removers, fillers, sealers, protectors, and strengtheners, as well as services to help its clients stay ahead of the competition. Over the years, the company, under his direction, has emerged as a market leader in marble adhesives, tile adhesives, and other stone cleaning products for residential and commercial buildings. Today, Marmo Solutions has earned the trust of renowned builders and architects. The company also has a reputation for innovation and staying ahead of trends.
A VISIONARY
Mr. Bhasin’s entrepreneurial quest was inspired by numerous unresolved marble and tile repair issues that labourers experienced while executing a job. His unique vision was to educate the public about this unregulated market. He also aims to empower people to make informed decisions about their choices when purchasing adhesives and cleaners for marble and other stone-type substances used in construction.
He claims that international brands are currently dominating the marble adhesive/cleaners industry as Indian consumers consider European, German, or Italian brands to be superior to homegrown brands. This mindset contributes to the success of international brands in the Indian market, as they continue to capture the majority of the consumer base.
Mr. Bhasin’s goal is to educate people that Indian products are just as good as international brands. His unwavering efforts have resulted in a shift in this mindset. Consequently, many Indian players are slowly starting to make a comeback, with more consumers recognising the quality and value of these products.
QUALITY COMES FIRST
Mr. Bhasin took his company to new heights
of success based on the quality and performance of his products. He ensures that their products adhere to the highest safety and durability standards, making them ideal for use in various settings.
His honesty and commitment to excellence have earned his company a reputation for producing reliable, long-lasting products that customers can trust.
A PEOPLE PERSON
Mr. Bhasin believes that every experience can be a source of learning. He says every individual has a unique tale to tell, and he values learning from them.
The visionary is constantly inspired by the stories of those he meets. He is also an active listener who takes the time to understand the diverse perspectives of others. He draws inspiration from everyone he meets in life.
Being a people person, he believes in growing alongside his team. He takes pride in cultivating a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among his team members, creating an environment where everyone can thrive and succeed.
“MR. BHASIN’S UNIQUE VISION WAS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE UNREGULATED MARBLE AND TILE MARKET”
DRIVEN BY VALUES
Mr. Bhasin believes that honesty is the best policy and the foundation of a successful life and career. He always ensures he is honest with his clients and colleagues, and he holds himself to the same standard of honesty when dealing with personal matters.
YOUTH ICON OF THE YEAR
TCI Express Limited has been on a steady growth path since 2013, after Mr. Chander Agarwal took charge of the company. He remained deeply involved in all the strategic and financial decisions of the company and was instrumental in establishing its business in overseas economies such as Brazil, Indonesia, and Africa. Mr. Chander Agarwal knows how to turn hard work into success and has highly profitable plans for his firm. With his diligence, he aims to increase the company’s branches to more than 1,000 in the upcoming year. In addition, he plans to expand the delivery and pick-up locations from 50,000 to 60,000.
A REMARKABLE LEADER
A leader should always have integrity and a clear vision. He should be a strategic planner to guide his teammates in the right direction.
CHANDER AGARWAL
A LEADER WITH UNMATCHED BUSINESS ACUMEN
Mr. Chander Agarwal is the Managing Director and the man behind the massive success of India’s leading multimodal express distribution company, TCI Express Limited. Under his stellar leadership and customer-centric approach, the company moves 2.5% of India’s GDP
Qualities like these make Mr. Chander Agarwal a true leader who believes in achieving big things using the most innovative ways for his company. Since the logistics industry needs creative strategies and specific leadership skills, he has significantly contributed to the company’s success and growth with his in-depth knowledge and skills. He believes that to attain the best results, a company needs to provide a healthy working environment to its employees. Therefore, he focuses on the training and development of the entire workforce to make them aware of the ever-changing policies and procedures required for a successful business. He prioritises clients’ needs and provides them with round-the-clock pick-up and delivery services throughout the country.
A STOREHOUSE OF KNOWLEDGE
Mr. Chander Agarwal has completed various executive management and finance programs at prestigious institutions around the globe. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant College, Rhode Island, USA. He graduated from Harvard Business School’s OPM program in 2018. He even completed the Advance Management Program certification from the National University of Singapore. In addition, he obtained a Finance Management certificate from INSEAD, Singapore.
It was his experience of working with Transfreight, USA, a 3PL specialisation in lean logistics primarily for Toyota Motor Vehicles USA, in 2001-2002 that enabled him to have an unmatched knowledge of the logistics business. With his foresighted vision and strategic approach, he played a crucial role in bringing relevant changes in the logistics sector in India. Today, his firm is publicly listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange and is considered the best in the logistics industry in India. He has given the company a new avatar and made it Number 1 and the fastest-growing express delivery company.
AN ARRAY OF AWARDS
Mr. Chander Agarwal’s dedication and experience have won him many awards and recognitions. Economic Times recognised him as the Most Promising Business Leader for 2016-17 and 2018-19. In 2019, he was felicitated with the India’s Inspirational Business Leaders Award by WCRC Insights and received India’s Inspirational Leader of the Year from Daily Media India 2019.
“HE HAS ELEVATED TCI EXPRESS TO THE MOST PREFERRED TIMEDEFINITE EXPRESS DELIVERY SERVICE PROVIDER IN INDIA”
Under his skillful leadership and guidance, TCI Express Limited was certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ and recognised by Hurun as one of the 500 most valuable non-state-controlled companies.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
ADV DR. SUDHINDRA BHAT
LEADING WITH AN INSPIRING VISION
Direct, dedicated, and democratic — there are no other words better than these to define the strong personality of Adv Dr. Sudhindra Bhat. Over the past three decades, his work in the legal sector has proved not just his mettle as a lawyer, but also as a successful entrepreneur
Being a lawyer is not merely a vocation. It gives an individual the power to bring justice and discipline in the society. For this, one must have a strong sense of responsibility, be unbigoted, and dedicated to the profession. Dr. Bhat is that one person.
The Forerunner of SS Law — one of the leading law firms in India — Dr. Bhat has been offering legal services for about three decades. Till now, he has empowered and helped hundreds of individuals and businesses with several law services.
THE MULTIFACETED MASTER
Dr. Bhat’s exceptional expertise comes from years of experience and high qualification. To be the best in his field, he made sure his educational experience becomes rich and vast. Today, he not only holds a Bachelor in Law and an Master in Business Administration but also an LLM, MFM, CFA, M.Phil. and PhD. His multifaceted education has shaped him into one of the most respected lawyers in the country.
He now specializes in criminal law, family/divorce, civil, Intellectual Property Rights, personal injury, property, corporate law, arbitration, and mediation. His organization SS Law also provides advisory, training, and investigation services in Trial Court, High court, and Supreme Court.
But this all-rounder approach is not the only USP of his organization. Dr. Bhat understands the trust his clients put in him and makes sure that the team devotes its time to find the best solutions with a personal touch.
The success story of Dr. Bhat does not stop here. He is also known for his expertise in finance and business, which he keeps sharing through his books like Security Analysis and Portfolio Management, Financial Management: Principles and Practices, and a few more. He has also won corporate awards for his remarkable business acumen and exceptional work.
BANKING ON VALUES
Staying ahead in the legal field is one thing but staying ahead while adhering to values and ethics is commendable. Since the beginnings of his career, Dr. Bhat promised himself to do his work with integrity and loyalty. No matter what the case was, he did not leave his values.
Now, these two are the touchstones by which he runs his law firm. Another thing that highlights Dr. Bhat’s commitment to his profession is his Pro-Bono-Work initiative. Through this initiative, he offers legal services to people from low-income groups and minorities.
With these values and philosophies, Dr. Bhat has created a team of lawyers that are not just exceptional at their job but also possess a strong character.
A DRIVEN LEADER IN A COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY
Legal practices in India have seen a dramatic change over the past few years. People can easily get legal advice within a few clicks. This has increased the competition in field by many folds. However, this competitive and dynamic environment is nothing but an exciting challenge for him.
“DR. BHAT ENSURES THAT THE TEAM DEVOTES ITS TIME TO FIND THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR THE CLIENTS”
In fact, Dr. Bhat hopes the change keeps happening as it gives him the opportunity to help more and more people. The satisfaction that comes from happy clients encourages him to continue his profession and keep making a difference in people’s lives.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
Gagan believes in following his passion and working towards it. His interest in technology motivated him to be innovative and share his ideas with the world. In addition, his business acumen and intelligence have helped him to cut right to the core of the business. His affinity for technological advancements gave birth to Vertex (Group) Global Services, and in less than a decade, the firm has branched out into diverse portfolios and verticals.
Gagan’s diverse knowledge of technological advancements made him top the charts and lead the trend. With his intelligence and business acumen, he steered his way to become a first-generation tech entrepreneur. As a result, he is quite soughtafter in his field. A technological evangelist, a tenacious leader, and a visionary, Gagan has encouraged and enabled new entrepreneurs and businesses through technology adoption.
GAGAN ARORA
ADHERING TO INNOVATION, INTELLIGENCE, AND DILIGENCE
As the legend goes, some leaders make a significant difference with their innovative ideas, execution strategies, and grit. Gagan Arora, a visionary leader, is one among them. With his decision to innovate, he ventured into the world of business technology, inspiring many budding entrepreneurs
He is also the Chairman of the Foreign Investors Council, Director of the Global Education Committee Asian Arab Chamber of Commerce, The Trade Commissioner of The Indian African Trade Council, Senator for India at the World Business Angels Investment Forum, the Delegate for India at the Global Chamber of Business Leaders and a Board Member for Executive Council – Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce.
THE ANCHOR TO BUSINESSES
Gagan gave wings to his ideas, bid farewell to his high-paying job, and started the company in the garage of his house in Miami, Florida. With his determination, aptitude, and vivid knowledge of technological advancements, he made his dream come true. Under his leadership, the ship of Vertex (Group) Global Services has sailed towards the horizon. Their top-notch services to customers have made the organisation an unparalleled leader in the industry. The company firmly believes in increasing financial inclusion by enhancing digital inclusion. It shares ideas for making finance accessible for entrepreneurs with a vision, and stands for gender equality in business.
Started in a garage in Miami in 2016, Vertex Global Services has had its share of tough days, but the zeal to make a difference turned the tables to the ups and highs. With the addition of proficient professionals, the firm has grown from a couple of employees to a thousand globally. It has ventured into many verticals such as Research, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Events & Exhibitions, Managed Services, Consulting, HRO, 24×7 One-Stop Help Desk, and Virtual Reality.
Expanding its horizon, it now also operates in the domain of business process outsourcing (BPO) and e-learning with the launch of Vertex Digital Academy (Now known as Vertex Learning). With the expansion, the company’s market share has increased by 20%.
“GAGAN TREATS AN EMPLOYEE LIKE AN AMBASSADOR, AND EVERY EMPLOYEE HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE COMPANY”
Under Gagan’s leadership, Vertex Global Services has won numerous customers, and its professional bonds have strengthened in less than a decade. An employee is like an ambassador, and every employee holds a special place in the organisation. The young leader works relentlessly for the growth of the company. Gagan’s vision is unmatched and he aims to make Vertex Global Services the leading, result-oriented multinational establishment. There are numerous awards and recognitions that the founder can take credit for. The vision of the exemplary leader has helped him win the ‘Best CEO Award’ seven times in a row. Under his direction, the organisation was awarded as Best Place to work by BPTW institute and received recognition for the ‘Most Innovative Tech Company’ in India and 19th across the Globe.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
GUR K SERAI
TRANSFORMING THE WORLD OF EDUCATION
Mr. Gur K Serai is the Co-Chairman of Satluj Group of Schools, one of the largest chains of schools in Northern India. The impeccable educationist has around 29 years of experience in leading and managing schools in the UK, where he transformed many failing schools into success stories
Mr. Serai completed his BA (Hons) Education and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and General Administration from the University of Lancaster, UK, in 1990. He has high aspirations for the students and the Satluj Group of Schools’ staff. He strongly advocates the ‘growth mindset’ philosophy and believes that a person’s intelligence depends not just on their DNA and luck. Mr. Serai arrived in India in March 2016, wondering whether he would be accepted as an educationist in India. Instead, he got the opportunity to be a part of the senior leadership team of Satluj Group and held the position of Co-Chairman with the right mentorship. A man of rich experience, he had led schools in the United Kingdom, turning many of them from the state of failure to success.
AN EXCELLENT LEADER AND MOTIVATOR
With the right mentorship by his brother Mr Krit Serai, who is also the Co-Chair of the Satluj Group and built upon the legacy set up by the former Co-Founder Mr P S Serai, Mr. Serai’s leadership style is effortless yet effective. He believes in getting the best out of people and encourages continuous improvement in skill sets, growth mindset, delegation, and accountability.
He believes that it is only and only hard work that can take you to newer heights. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the educationist ensured that the entire staff of Satluj Group of Schools was wellequipped and well-trained digitally so that the students got the best in teaching and learning. As a result, Satluj Group of Schools has become a model school in imparting knowledge through online classes and using the digital platform to organise various social events. The most prominent examples are the talent contests for different age groups and the ‘Satluj Career Fest,’ which linked Satluj’s students with over 144 universities in India and abroad. Around the same time, Mr. Serai also successfully grew the Group’s franchise schools under Little Satluj and Satluj World School.
A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE
For Mr. Serai, corporate social responsibility is of utmost importance as he strongly supports the idea of ‘giving back to society.’ Satluj Group has always been at the forefront of conducting social initiatives by organising many activities at the district, state, and national levels. Under its socially responsible senior leadership, Satluj Group’s work has been recognised and appreciated by several educational bodies such as World Education Summit, India Today, Franchise India Award, Great Place to Study, Top Gallant Media Awards, and The Tribune.
PLANS FOR THE GROUP’S GROWTH
Mr. Serai, his brother Mr. Krit Serai, and other members of the senior leadership team have extensive plans for the future short-term and long-term growth of the Satluj Group. He wishes the group to be considered as North India’s education powerhouse, imparting world-class education to young minds to transform into innovative visionaries. Satluj Group of Schools is already playing a leading role in imparting high-quality education in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. He also aims to expand it in other parts of India and abroad in the coming years.
“MR. SERAI HAS SUCCESSFULLY GREW THE GROUP’S FRANCHISE SCHOOLS UNDER LITTLE SATLUJ AND SATLUJ WORLD SCHOOL”
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Under the able guidance and leadership of Mr. Serai, the Satluj Group has been ranked among the top 300 schools in the world. It has also been recognised as a ‘Great Place to Study’ by the House of Commons of the UK Parliament.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
Mr. Mehdi has got amazing opportunities to work with some of the top brands in the creator and entertainment space. His first foray into the music industry was as a Senior Regional International Music Buyer for Virgin Megastore (MENA). Then, he tested his entrepreneurial skills with the launch of GrooveMaster (ME) in 2012, a music content management system, working alongside Under Armour, Air Jordan, Nike, and more. He has also been the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Tangou Digital, US (2017), Strategic Advisor and Partner at TBE Entertainment, UAE (2018), and Co-Founder of Studio Drops (2021). Mr. Mehdi has also been a consultant for key brands, including Samsung, beIN Media Group, and GT Bank. Thirty years of rich work experience in the creator and entertainment space has given him a solid foundation and vast knowledge of helping brands grow through integrated music services.
MEHDI CHERIF
REVOLUTIONISING MUSIC INDUSTRY WITH BLOCKCHAIN
Mehdi Cherif is the Founder and CEO of Pulse, a revolutionary social music discovery platform uniting and engaging users, artists, and brands. He is a Dubai-based entrepreneur and an early Metaverse champion who is passionate about technology, arts, and media
He put all this knowledge into starting Pulse World, where he is the Founder and CEO (2019). Thanks to his work at Pulse, Mr. Mehdi is a vital part of the Metaverse and Blockchain Revolution in the Middle East. He has a successful record across music technologies, sound branding, content management, intellectual properties, and emerging and financial technology markets.
A TRUE CHAMPION
Mr. Mehdi’s most important pillar of inspiration is his family that has been his biggest supporter and harshest critic. He believes in empowering the team to increase work efficiency by challenging them and letting them learn from their mistakes. A true team player, he loves helping others succeed, implements an open-door communication policy, and ensures positive behaviours and values within the business, and a constructive culture of inclusivity.
THE MASTERMIND BEHIND PULSE MUSIC
Through Pulse World, Mr. Mehdi has successfully tried to overcome most challenges by implementing self-sovereign identity for all actors within their platform, a four-layer SSI stack, with a governance layer to meet user data requirements, smart contracts to help simplify the IP/content licensing, and a new micropayment system (digital wallet) for creators (greater flexibility and faster payments). He strongly advocates using Blockchain and Metaverse to disrupt how brands can use music to engage with their followers more meaningfully by integrating the brands into the listeners’ music discovery experience. For this, he invested three years in researching, reviewing, and finetuning Pulse World’s concept before eventually launching it. Today, it is the world’s first social-music entertainment application where artists can engage, thrive, and earn like never before. It also enables the users to immerse themselves in the Metaverse with complete access to an NFT marketplace and take advantage of its Subscription Model.
HIS PLANS
“MR. MEHDI IS A VITAL PART OF THE METAVERSE AND BLOCKCHAIN REVOLUTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST”
Mr. Mehdi plans to connect to more users locally while aiming to be a global brand. He has a keen eye on emerging markets/communities where the penetration rate for digital service providers is ‘low’ due to limited connectivity and non-affordability of subscriptions. He also plans to double Pulse’s revenue and triple its profits in the next five years by launching high-quality products, establish Pulse World as the top player in the industry, and maximise the UAE’s position as a new central hub for blockchain, decentralised technologies, and all Web3 businesses.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
MOHIT JAJOO
MODERNIZING REAL ESTATE
Real estate developers faced a huge setback during the lockdown. The financial loss was big enough to shut down the business of many realtors. But when everyone was caught in the whirlwind of the pandemic, Mohit completed one of the most acclaimed luxurious and sustainable residential projects
Many have heard and used the phrase “Fortune favors the bold” l but only a few have the guts to make big and bold moves during trying times. Mohit, a well-known leader in the business landscape of Rajasthan, undertook a daunting task of launching his project Subhashish Homes during the pandemic. The phrase proved itself to be right as fortune is now on his side. Mr. Jajoo is the founder, CEO, and Executive Director of Subhashish Homes. Under his supervision, the company has grown 115% y-o-y over the past two years. He gives credit for this unprecedented growth to his team and work ethics, which put transparency and ecological considerations above everything else.
A BORN ENTREPRENEUR
Subashish Homes was incepted in 2020 by Mohit. But it is not his first successful business. He started his business journey at the young age of 19. After learning the maneuvers of business and economics from the University of Oxford, Mohit joined the Subhashish Group as an Executive Assistant to his father. Soon, Mohit became the Executive Director of different wings of the company and made several strategic plans and business development decisions. Today, the Subhashish Group is one of Rajasthan’s biggest real estate business groups with several verticals, namely, Wealth Management, Real Estate Investments, Logistics and Packaging, Information Technology, and Airport Management.
THE FLAGSHIP VENTURE
As an Executive Director, not only Mohit helped the company grow but also launched Shubhashish Homes, a separate venture altogether. To ensure world-class architecture and facilities at Shubhashish Homes, he traveled around the globe and observed the latest real estate trends and new business models. People found the project so promising that almost 50% of homes were sold during the Phase 1 of the launch. It was a big success but was soon overshadowed by the worldwide lockdown. Traditional real
estate businesses took a hit because they could not adapt to the changing times. But Mohit saw what was coming and planned to ride the upcoming wave. People wanted good housing after having experienced the lockdown and the transience of life during the pandemic. Under the supervision of Mohit, Subhashish Homes was ready to make the bold move – making a Resort Lifestyle themed housing. The luxury housing project Shubhashish Geeta is now one of the most innovative and nature-friendly places. The housing project was completed amid the hardships of the lockdown. Being an ethicsfirst person, Mohit took care that everyone on the housing project was safe. When other businesses were shutting down their projects, the team behind the Shubhashish Geeta completed the project 10 months before the deadline.
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
“UNDER MOHIT’S SUPERVISION, THE COMPANY HAS GROWN 115% YEAR-ON-YEAR OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS”
All the projects made by Subhashish Homes are environmentfriendly. For building sustainable business, Mohit was recently honoured with the 40 under 40 awards by the Times Group and the Young Achievers Award by the Indian Achievers Forum. In fact, Mohit is the first developer in India who has provided more than 450 electric car charging points in a township. More than 21,000 trees and plants are planted in the premises, making it one of the areas with highest per acre plantation density in Rajasthan and 75% of the area is open. These efforts by Mohit show that he is a green leader who respects nature and sustainability.
YOUTH ICON OF THE YEAR
The daughter of business tycoon, Mr. Srinivasa Rao Veluvolu, Ms. Nikhila Veluvolu has brought a lot of process to the company. While pursuing her Masters in the USA, she decided to take her family business forward. When she saw the immense trust and regard that Nikhila Constructions and Developers (NCD) enjoyed among home buyers, she decided to widen the customer base and profile. So, a year after her Masters in the US, she took the brand to overseas customers to make it a preferred choice among the Indian diaspora. She achieved success in her endeavour with the U.S contributing 20% of the sales of the firm. It was in 2022 when Ms. Veluvolu realised the enormous potential for growth in the Housing Market in India, and decided to come back to India to take her company to greater heights. Today, she drives operations at the company and oversees the HR vertical. The firm has been
NIKHILA VELUVOLU
DETERMINED TO RISE AND SHINE
A post-graduate in Computer Science from the Western Illinois University, USA, Ms. NikhilaVeluvolu joined her family business, Nikhila Constructions and Developers in 2021. She aims to provide sustainable homes built in line with global standards and using newer technologies and design solutions
growing at a good pace over the past 3 years and from the day she took over these functions. She has carved a niche for herself with her innovative ideas and focus, to deliver nothing short of excellence in every project.
A NEW APPROACH TO BUSINESS
Being passionate about technology, Ms. Veluvolu firmly believes that in today’s time, technology is of utmost importance for any business to succeed and grow. Hence, Nikhila Constructions and Developers drive towards embracing advanced technology to make home units the most living-friendly. She aims to provide the New Indian Quality Homes with a good mix of both amenities and affordability at prime locations.
Ms. Veluvolu launched a new business vertical towards providing Home Interiors solutions to the Home Buyers, both in NCDs as well as in external projects during mid-2022. This vertical has executed over 25 projects since its inception. She gives due importance to the people she works with, ensures business transparency, and keeps hiring good talent as people are there a backbone of a successful business. Her current focus is to build 5,000 houses over the next decade and make the organization the first choice of the home buyers in Hyderabad.
LUXURY LIVING SPACES
Ms. Veluvolu takes pride in her team that fulfills the statutory and regulatory guidelines prescribed by the authorities, including HMDA, RERA, Environment Ministry, Fire Authority, and Airport Authority. Professionals at NCD have been drawn from Top Corporates across Business domains. In addition, Team members go through a continuous process of Training towards developing gated residential communities that offer the right balance between affordability and luxury. She is committed to high integrity, transparency, and quality, making her firm a reliable name in the market.
“MS. VELUVOLU LAUNCHED THE INTERIOR DESIGNING WING OF NIKHILA CONSTRUCTIONS AND DEVELOPERS IN MID-2022”
Ms. Veluvolu truly understands buyers’ feelings, and is dedicated to providing them with a comfortable living space within the timeframe promised. She dreams of being among the best realtors in the construction industry and wishes to deliver landmark projects that cater to the unique needs of all type of Home Buyers. She believes that for any firm to excel, it is imperative to have a lasting relationship with the clients, and to meet their needs, she is guiding and working with a large workforce. Ms. Veluvolu believes in being one step ahead of her Customer’s expectations. She has set many benchmarks in providing good quality housing to her Clients making her a happy and contended Business Leader.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
PARTH PARMAR
AN EXEMPLARY LEADER PAVING WAY TO SUCCESS
Mr. Parth Parmar, Director, PARÉ Innovations Private Limited, is a die-hard fan of innovation and committed to bringing world-class building materials to Indian consumers. In two years of launching the company, he has become a top-notch player in the interior goods market
He works as a guiding force behind his employees and constantly inspires them to grow and bring forward something innovative in the interior goods industry. Being the director of the company, Mr. Parth Parmar makes sure that all the products manufactured by his firm resonate with luxury and are reasonably priced for its customers. His out-of-the-box ideas have made him a celebrated name in the market.
Mr. Parmar ensures that his clients get products that match international standards. In the last two years, his company participated in several exhibitions and promotional events. With his intense knowledge and work ethics, the company received a few accolades from Acetech-Mumbai, IIID Lucknow, Infrastructure Development Architecture Construction (IDAC) and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
PARÉ Innovations Private Limited manufactures one-of-its-kind products in the Indian decor space. Mr. Parmar started the company keeping in mind three major principles: innovation, speed, and growth of stakeholders. A people’s person, he considers employees, distribution partners, customers, suppliers, government, and society as the stakeholders of his company. He acknowledges that each one of them is responsible for the company’s growth and success. Hence, it is the responsibility of the firm to strive hard for their benefits. This outlook shows that he is a blend of passion, professionalism, and with an intention to create value for stakeholders.
ALL THINGS AVANT-GARDE
Mr. Parth Parmar is committed to bring innovation in interior goods category by manufacturing world-class products for Indian and global customers, thereby establishing PARÉ as market leader in India with an eye on global market.
Everything that is manufactured at PARÉ Innovations Private Limited is world-class quality and sustainability. He guarantees it to be a winning product, which can be used in both residential and commercial properties.
PARÉ Soffit - Ceiling & Wall System is a revolutionary product that makes spaces luxurious, spacious, affordable, and with a long life. Under Mr. Parmar’s leadership, PARÉ Innovations has launched three groundbreaking product categories, with one being a world‘s first and the other two being India’s first. All of these products are manufactured at the organisation’s cutting-edge manufacturing facility located in Gujarat. Some of these products have been conceptualised, designed, developed, and manufactured for the first time ever by the company, solidifying their position as original and genuine innovators.
HIS LIFELONG MENTOR
An ardent follower of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji, Mr. Parmar takes him to be his inspiration in life. “Purity in heart, clarity in mind and sincerity in action” is his mantra for life and success. The lessons imparted by the spiritual guru have been instrumental in making him a successful person. He strongly believes that Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji is the sole reason for his happiness and success, and after knowing him, he began manifesting his dreams and witnessing immense growth in his personal and professional life.
“UNDER MR. PARMAR’S LEADERSHIP, PARÉ INNOVATIONS HAS LAUNCHED THREE GROUNDBREAKING PRODUCTS”
Mr. Parmar believes in running his firm on Indian ethos. He is convinced that the true growth of an individual or a company is only possible when they share the responsibility of making society grow. Thus, he gives back to society as a responsible corporate citizen.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
Mr. Puneet Gaur’s way to being a global name rests on an outstanding education, impressive work experience, and lifetime learning. This business builder and operational leader has transformed small to large organisations across three continents of North America, Europe and Asia. He has been a crusader for social responsibility for companies and employees. He has been promoting the concept of Society As A Strategic Stakeholder (SAASS)TM. Ethics and corporate responsibility have been hallmarks of his personality.
He pushes for success for his vendors, sustainability of the ecosystem where the company operates, welfare and success for the employees, and meaningful contribution to the surrounding communities. His career spans from start-ups to large businesses ranging from Tata Consultancy Services, FMC Technologies,
PUNEET GAUR
PIONEERING THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
An international speaker, a global award winner, a published author, and a business leader, Mr. Puneet Gaur is a thought leader who has proven his mettle through his work. Working as COO of an AI-based B2B firm, he leads product development, information security, and customer delivery
Avaya, DXC Technology, DMI, and Next Quarter. Currently, he is working as a COO at an AI B2B firm based in Virginia, USA. Mr. Gaur has two bachelor degrees in engineering and four masters degrees in Engineering, Business Administration, and International Relations. His final Master’s degree is in International Relations from Harvard University. He also received Edward De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats Instructor Certificate, after which he trained several thousand employees globally. Innovation, Process Improvement, EBITDA Management, and Customer Success have been cornerstone of his career.
THE GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
Mr. Gaur’s global experience makes him an international thought leader. He has lived and worked across three continents – Europe, Asia, and North America. It enabled him to understand how the work culture differs worldwide and how he can help global teams overcome cultural challenges to harness the power of diversity. His efforts have resulted in accelerated performance and increased shareholder value.
He is an ardent lover of travel and books. The travel bug in him has taken him to more than 50 countries. When physical travel is not possible, he immerses himself in the vast world of books. His library holds a splendid collection of more than 6,000 books – a clear sign of his astute mind and rich knowledge.
EMPOWERING OTHERS
Mr. Gaur’s work is not encompassed within the corporate areas. He has gone the extra mile to share his knowledge and expertise with the world. He regularly conducts workshops on product management, strategy management, leadership, analytics, science based meditation, lateral thinking, and ethics in business. He charges no fee when NGOs and educational institutions invite him to conduct such workshops. Knowledge sharing is a core mantra for him. He also mentors students from his alma maters in India and USA.
“MR. GAUR CHARGES NO FEE WHEN NGOS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS INVITE HIM TO CONDUCT WORKSHOPS”
In addition, he is known for writing thought leadership blogs on famous platforms such as Forbes, where he talks about business, leadership, social causes, and animal protection. He has received several awards for his outstanding work and contribution. The list includes the IEEE award, Harvard Deans’ award, and COO of the Year award from the Minister for Skill Development, Government of India. He is also invited as a speaker at global conferences. In 2022, he was given the Global Leadership Award in the House of Commons, UK.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
SABYASACHI SAHA
THE TECH WIZARD
From a B.Tech graduate to being one of the most trusted names in the tech world, Sabyasachi’s journey has been remarkable. One of the founders of Techno Exponent, he aims to bring suitable solutions catering to Blockchain, SaaS, cloud design, product design, machine learning, & digital marketing
With a strong belief that technology can revolutionize the business world, Sabyasachi Saha is putting together the best resources to offer tailor-made solutions to clients across the world. But this success story did not start with a good graph in the beginning. Sabyasachi invested a lot in turning his dreams into reality.
THE SETTING UP OF DREAMS
Sabyasachi’s real tryst with technology started in West Bengal. He prepared for JEE and finally got admission to Kalyani Govt. Engineering College to pursue B.Tech. The course further gave wings to his dreams of establishing a career in technology. It was in 2011 that he co-founded Techno Exponent with his business partner co-founder Avoy Debnath.
What started small is now one of the leading web and mobile app development companies with global clientele. Over the years, Sabyasachi kept experimenting with the trends and creating solutions that catered to the market’s dynamic needs. His tireless efforts and determination encourage the team to build innovative solutions to bridge the gaps between businesses and technologies.
OFFERING ONLY THE BEST
Ever since the inception of Techno Exponent, Sabyasachi has been adopting new technologies so that businesses can reap the benefits. Today, his company is helping big names in achieving their goals. Under his leadership, the company has also expanded its service portfolio. While earlier it only dealt with PHP, Codeigniter, WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Techno Exponent is now also working with Blockchain, AI, Node.js, React.js, React Native, Flutter, JAVA, Kotlin, and many more. All this has been possible because of Sabyasachi’s excellent leadership skills. He has been successfully streamlining the operations to improve customer service.
As for taking the company to a global level, Sabyasachi’s proven track record of
establishing strategic partnerships rightly deserve the credit for successful results. Today, the company has offices in 6 countries where it has served more than 1000 clients. The long list of his company’s clientele includes leading companies like Disney, Amazon, NASA, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, among others.
MORE THAN AN ENTREPRENEUR
Being a businessperson is just one part of Sabyasachi’s personality. He is much more than that. To be precise, he is also a charismatic leader, supportive teammate, and an icon in the world of technology and innovation. Recently, he also started another venture – Euphoria GenX. A technical training institute, Euphoria GenX is the gateway through which Sabyasachi is helping engineering students get handson training that can help them get jobs. It offers training courses for Git, AWS, and Deployment apart from various other courses. In fact, Sabyasachi also collaborated with educators to teach students how to utilize technology and become skilled professionals. The institute offers guidance and training on the latest technologies like Angular, AI, ML, Java, Android, IoT, AutoCAD, etc. So far, the institute has placed thousands of students in reputable companies. Recently, 3000 students completed their summer training program.
“HE ENCOURAGES HIS TEAM TO BUILD INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO BRIDGE THE GAPS BETWEEN BUSINESSES AND TECHNOLOGIES”
He vehemently believes that the secret to success is choosing the business that is right for you. No wonder through Euphoria GenX he is guiding young minds to make the right career choices.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
When it comes to understanding what the future holds, it is not wrong to say technology is going to be a game-changer. Today, technology has become an inevitable part of our lives and those who explore its deep secrets are endowed with great success. Saitej Annareddy is one of those passionate technologists who dived into the world of blockchain technology and discovered a new treasure. An ardent technophile, Saitej Annareddy is the founder of successful ventures such as Chakravuyha, Coinovy OU, Smashit. live, and DLT Labz. Now, he is planning to take these ventures to newer heights while exploring the wonders of blockchain.
JOURNEY TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
From a young man who had humble beginning to a respected entrepreneur in Dubai, the life story of Saitej Annareddy is memorable tale of
SAITEJ ANNAREDDY
REVOLUTIONIZING BLOCKCHAIN INDUSTRY
In a world where the blockchain industry is gaining momentum with each passing day, Saitej Annareddy is an entrepreneur who has launched futuristic tools and platforms. His passion for blockchain fuels him to take technology and innovation to the next level
inspiration. Saitej Annareddy was born in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, and completed his school education at Bhuvanagiri Public School in the state. In 2013, he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the Hindustan Business School, Bangalore. While the early years of his life were not easy, they did not stop Saitej Annareddy from pursuing his passion. During his college years he supplied electronic payments to government contracts. That was his first initiative in the technology sector. During this time, he started thinking about how he could build a faster and more secure payment system. After that, his real stint with technology began in 2014. He worked in several companies such as Sulekha.com and Virtual Arena before finally starting his first firm, Chakravuyha. With this venture, Saitej Annareddy leveraged the use of blockchain technology to eliminate the asymmetric traffic flow problem and allowed ownership of data to empower its owner. Everything scaled even more when he co-founded LaunchMyIco and DLT LABZ the same year. Both the firm opened new avenues of blockchain technology and Saitej Annareddy wasn’t the one to be stopped here. In 2021, he co-founded Coinovy—a digital finance app with digital assets that combine an unlimited number of wallets to send, receive, exchange, earn and borrow.
AN INFLUENTIAL FIGURE
The years of experience and industry insights have made Saitej Annareddy a name to reckon with. The expertise that is reflected in his interviews and interactions is enough to highlight his visionary ideas for the blockchain sector. This is why he gets invited to speak at various national and international events. For instance, he was a speaker at the International Blockchain Summit. He was also one of the key speakers at the Thailand Blockchain Authority and Singapore Blockchain Meet conducted by SAM. Moreover, Saitej Annareddy was also a member of the Chief Advisory Board at the International Blockchain Symposium 2.0 (Malaysia) in 2017.
EYES ON TOMORROW
True technologists like Saitej Annareddy never rest. He keeps working on new ideas and push their boundaries through hard effort, enthusiasm, and tenacity. The young entrepreneur, Saitej, brings a fresh perspective to the field of cryptocurrency by offering new services and platforms.
“SAITEJ BRINGS A FRESH PERSPECTIVE TO THE FIELD OF CRYPTOCURRENCY BY OFFERING NEW SERVICES AND PLATFORMS”
He believes that one should always meet new people and learn new perspectives. No knowledge is ever enough; with this motto in mind, Saitej Annareddy hopes to build more cryptocurrency exchange applications in the future.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
SOURAV GHOSH
STRIVING FOR JUSTICE FOR ALL
A renowned legal expert and a passionate leader, Mr. Sourav Ghosh is currently the Managing Partner at S Jalan and Co. – one of the oldest and most prestigious Kolkata-based law firms. He joined the company 19 years ago with only 3 years of experience and worked his way up to build an inspiring career
Mr. Sourav Ghosh joined S Jalan & Co. as an Associate Advocate and rapidly rose to the level of an Equity Partner within three years. He brought a fresh perspective to the company and proved to be instrumental in its pan-India expansion. During his years in the firm, Mr. Ghosh has expanded the business and set up branches offices in Delhi and Mumbai and is currently expanding the business in Chennai and Hyderabad. Mr. Ghosh has built a name for himself as a trusted solicitor in the legal fraternity. He advises on legal solutions, business-oriented legal issues, litigation, and transactional deals. His loyal clientele includes many multinational companies that have stayed with him for his legal expertise for over a decade.
LEADERSHIP PAR EXCELLENCE
With his entrepreneurial mindset, Mr. Ghosh started young and has managed to build his legacy. He envisioned the company’s expansion soon after joining it and worked steadily to go about it. With the help of his leadership skills, Mr. Ghosh formed a core team of Associate Partners and Equity Partners at the company who help run its offices. His core belief is to prioritise client satisfaction and provide them with the best possible solutions. He truly believes that this ability to manage client expectations efficiently is one of his biggest strengths. His legal acumen, vision, and leadership skills have been his aids in coming so far in his journey. His indepth knowledge of legal structures and administrative skills has helped him provide state-of-the-art solutions to clients who have little or no knowledge about the legal process. Mr. Ghosh has also participated and represented the clients of the firm in international and commercial arbitrations in South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Vienna.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
It is his unmatched dedication and hard work that Mr. Ghosh has been recognised by the industry many times. Recently, he was named in the Legal Powerlist 2020 and 2021 by Forbes
magazine in the category of Top Managing Partners of India. He was awarded the Lex Falcon Award, Singapore Chapter, for the ‘10 years’ experience’ category for 2022, in recognition of his contribution to the legal industry. In addition, in 2022, he won the Outstanding Leadership Award at Law 2.0 Conference, Dubai Chapter.
“UNDER HIS AEGIS, A PRO BONO INITIATIVE, ‘ACCESS TO JUSTICE,’ IS MANAGED BY THE FIRM, AND HE ACTIVELY SUPPORTS IT”
Mr. Ghosh also tries to serve the underserved using his legal prowess by working pro bono. He truly believes that justice is everyone’s right. Therefore, he tries to promote justice through fair procedures that help him uphold the country’s legal ethics and practices. Under his aegis, a pro bono initiative, ‘Access to Justice,’ is managed by his company, and he actively supports the initiative. Mr. Ghosh believes that the true purpose of doing pro bono work is to provide trusted legal services to the poor and needy and promote a culture where every legal professional thinks of pro bono as a standard norm. He believes that professionals like him must lead by example and make everyone aware of their legal rights irrespective of their socio-economic conditions. For pro bono, he supports the rights of senior citizens, children, differently abled, labour and workplace ethics, women, and environment. To further this cause, he plans to offer his legal services to social entrepreneurs and start-ups in the nascent stage. Leaders like Mr. Sourav Ghosh, who strive to bring about a certain balance in society, inspire the new generation. His hard work, tireless passion for his craft, and determination make him stand out from the rest.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
An accomplished business leader and a persuasive professional, Saurabh Agarwal has strong technocommercial acumen. A graduate in mechanical engineering, he started his professional journey in the Kamdhenu Group as a technical executive in 1998. With the conglomerate foraying into the paints industry, Saurabh took charge of launching Kamdhenu Paints in the year 2008. From installing state-of-the-art machinery and building a robust supply chain to introducing a differentiated product mix and focusing on pursuing sustainable growth, Saurabh has proven his mettle time and again. His noteworthy leadership skills have been instrumental in taking the business to greater heights. His people-friendly attitude has ensured a dedicated set of employees. Kamdhenu Paints has reached new heights in a short span, courtesy of Saurabh’s efficient
SAURABH AGARWAL
ENLIVENING DREAM HOMES WITH KAMDHENU PAINTS
Saurabh Agarwal, Director, Kamdhenu Paints, has played a pivotal role in expanding the paints subsidiary unit of India’s leading business house, the prestigious Kamdhenu Limited. He has a remarkable track record and proven proficiency in driving business initiatives and strategies
management, resource utilisation, and leveraging of every available opportunity. He has been instrumental in not only multiplying the growth on charts for the group, but also leading its diversification in the challenging yet thriving segment of paints.
SUCCESS MANTRA
Saurabh has always prioritised customer satisfaction. His zealous approach towards delivering best quality has ensured the popularity that the brand enjoys today. Expertise in Research and Development and technological efficiency has become the hallmark of Kamdhenu Paints under his astute guidance.
Driven by a consumer-centric approach and zeal for innovation, Saurabh has been instrumental in the induction of over 1600 tinting machines. This new technology gives consumers myriad colours to choose from. Under his stewardship, the brand has continuously added an entire gamut of wood-coating products giving complete solutions to the needs of every household. His focus on innovation has resulted in building a complete range of paint products, including exterior and interior emulsions, water-based primers, wood finishes, aluminium paints, and textured and designer paints, for customers to choose from. An ardent supporter of the Centre’s “Make in India” and “Vocal for Local” schemes, Saurabh is optimistic about the brand scaling up its production to expand across the country. Apart from ramping up existing capacity at Rajasthan, he also has ambitious plans for the company to put up a new plant catering to south and central Indian markets by FY24.
FRESH START WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE
With the demerger of Kamdhenu Paints, Saurabh is completely at the helm of affairs and aiming to take the company to newer heights. He is targeting a 40 per cent year-on-year growth or a turnover of about ₹350 crore in the paints business in FY23. Contributing to sustainable development, he is investing in the manufacturing of Low-VOC and High-SRI value products to lead the business with an eco-friendly edge.
SAURABH IS AN ARDENT SUPPORTER OF THE CENTRE’S “MAKE IN INDIA” AND “VOCAL FOR LOCAL” SCHEMES
What sets him apart from the rest is his guiding principle to develop high-quality products at price points that are affordable for the average consumer. He advises budding entrepreneurs that personalised communication and trustworthy product delivery are the keys to creating effective branding in this volatile world. He believes in leveraging social media to strategically engage with the audience and keep the stakeholders informed and aware of the products. Saurabh values his customers and business partners, and fosters his relationships with them.
YOUNG LEADER IN VENTURE CAPITAL
SIDDHARTH KOTHARI
AN INVESTOR WITH A GOLDEN HEART
Siddharth Kothari, the Chief Investment Strategist at Om Kothari Group, is an investor with a tinge of difference. He is a vegan and prefers investing in vegan-friendly companies. His grandfather founded the company in 1971, and now, he is leading the firm and taking it to great heights
Thirty-years-old Siddharth Kothari graduated in Business Management from Questrom School of Business, Boston University. He started his career in 2013 by investing in stocks and entered the world of start-ups in 2016. Because of his interest in diverse fields, he has invested in multiple business verticals. More than 12 companies, including ClearDekho, ApnaComplex, Beardo, Wishberry, Shaadi Saga, Innov8 and Gretex, are under his start-up portfolio.
He provides material assistance to these firms and aids them with mentorship and guidance. In addition, he is an early investor and partner in Venture Catalyst and 2Point2 Capital and a limited partner in Carpe Diem.
CONSISTENCY AS THE KEY
Investment is not just business for this young leader. Siddharth takes it as mediation. Each new venture allows him to dive deep into a pool of knowledge as he studies the product, service and sector before investing. Taking big risks, experimenting and constantly working towards the goal has made him one of the most influential young leaders of the country. He learns and evolves when he fails at something and never loses hope.
Taking risks gives him more confidence and helps him gain significant profits. Siddharth doesn’t make hasty decisions and gets involved in the company’s everyday affairs. He focuses on those entrepreneurs, who have an innate drive towards achieving their goals.
The young investor considers each investment as an opportunity to connect and understand each product, service or sector that has the potential to add value to the lives of people.
For Siddharth, a good investor is one who keeps learning constantly, either through books, movies, conferences or interactions with entrepreneurs and investors. His passion for cinema has resulted in him financing films produced by Wishberry Productions.
A GUIDING LIGHT
Planning, vision and hard work make start-ups successful. It was not easy for Siddharth to shift from stock investment to these ventures. He makes financial deals with only those start-ups whose founders are passionate about their offerings and have a concrete step-bystep plan for their companies’ growth. The founder may not have a renowned degree but should know the product and the industry inside out. Siddharth helps start-ups with their capital requirements, connecting them with an established network, mentoring them, and leveraging their strengths. He offers them the HR platform he is associated with and lends funds at a reasonable interest rate.
AN ACTIVE ENVIRONMENTALIST
“HE FEELS THAT VEGANISM MAKES HUMANS HEALTHY, SAVES ANIMALS FROM CRUELTY & LED HIM INVEST IN PLANT-BASED FIRMS”
Siddharth wants to leave a positive impact on society and the environment. He desires to touch millions of lives, especially the innocent animals killed mercilessly for food and material. Being a vegan, he feels ethically aligned and linked with vegan companies. He believes that it is the responsibility of human beings to protect the environment. He feels that veganism makes humans healthy, helps our planet replenish, and saves many animals from cruelty. With this view, he has invested in many plant-based companies such as GoodMylk and Arata in India and Rebellyous Foods and Eat Just abroad. He is even a Partner at Ahimsa VC, India’s first fund investing exclusively in sustainable alternatives to animal-based products.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
Aquick look at Siddharth Vora’s educational record is enough to understand how passionate and enthusiastic he is about business. Right after his schooling, he started strengthening his knowledge by enrolling in various courses. He is a Chartered Accountant, a CFA Charter holder, a Sebi-registered (NISM) portfolio manager, investment advisor, and a research analyst. He has also completed M.Sc. in Management for Business Excellence with a double diploma in World Politics from the University of Warwick. Siddharth’s educational excellence equipped him to deal with everything he was about to face in his journey in the corporate world. But his pursuit of knowledge never ended, courtesy his zest to keep learning on the job.
A PROMISING CAREER
Siddharth’s initial tryst with finance began with
SIDDHARTH VORA
YOUNG, AMBITIOUS AND SPIRITED
Making his way up the ladder, Siddharth Vora is a young champion who learned the ways of the corporate world early in his career. Now, this charismatic investment professional is setting new rules for Prabhudas Lilladher Private Limited, one of India’s leading financial services provider
an articleship at EY. He then joined Prabhudas Lilladher (PL), as a part of the Fundamental Research Team at PL Institutional Equities Research, before moving to Investment Strategy Research. He launched the Acumen series on adapting the investment frameworks of global investors to the context of Indian capital markets. After getting trained on the research side, he shifted his focus to setting up and building the quant research desk and investment advisory practice at PL. Siddharth is now the Head of Investment Strategy and Fund Manager, who now runs the active equity and quantitative investment strategies at PL PMS. Over the five years, Siddharth’s contributions in the field of research and investment have been appreciated by industry experts. He is credited with the success of Multi-Asset Dynamic Portfolio (MADP) – a first-of-its-kind quantbased tactical asset allocation strategy. Due to the positive response towards thisinvestment strategy, he was invited as the youngest speaker at the fourth edition of Alternative Investment Industry’s biggest event, PMS & AIF 4.0, held by PMS Bazaar. He is also regularly invited by national news channels such as ET Now and CNBC, to share his opinions about the industry. He is also responsible for the company’s overall strategic management for new business verticals and is involved in hiring the right talent for the company.
SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Siddharth’s business acumen isn’t limited to investments. He is also a young entrepreneur who started a successful FMCG brand in 2014. Saucery was the result of his love for food and business. He co-founded the venture in Mumbai and was involved in setting up business operations from scratch. Today, the company is renowned for its international gourmet dips, sauces, and condiments which are 100% vegetarian and natural.
BEYOND CORPORATE
“ONE OF INDIA’S YOUNGEST FUND MANAGERS, SIDDHARTH SET UP THE ENTIRE QUANT RESEARCH AND INVESTMENT PLATFORM FOR PL”
While being dedicated to financial services, this young professional also kept a date with his other interests. In 2013, the same year that he graduated from H. R. College of Commerce & Economics, he pursued a diploma in E-business in the Digital Age from The London School of Economics and Political Science. He has also completed summer programmes at Cornell University for International Business along with an acting course at the New York Film Academy at Harvard University in 2010. Siddharth believes that life isn’t just about work. He enjoys spending time exploring new places and culinary experiences. A sports enthusiast, he is professionally trained in athletics, football, badminton and chess. Siddharth often goes on trips or sweats it out at the sports complex!
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
SAMRAT SENGUPTA
ENSURING EXPERT LEGAL SOLUTIONS
Mr. Samrat Sengupta joined S Jalan & Company as a Junior Associate Advocate in 2008 and persevered his way towards becoming the Equity Partner. An architect of the firm’s rise in the national capital and consolidation of its office, he has built a pan-India arbitration team that serves many industries
Mr. Sengupta has duly established his name in the sphere of General Commercial Litigation through his extensive experience in Arbitration before Tribunals and Commercial Litigations in different High Courts and the Supreme Court of India. His experience in the legal sector and dealing in corporate transactions, strategy making and litigations alongwith his optimistic attitude has always been favourable. A key part of the firm, he has provided legal advice on various subjects like bank guarantees matters, banking solutions, infrastructural project advisory, matters related to RBI and FEMA, international arbitrations and infrastructural arbitrations. He has also given legal opinion and advisory, and conducted several corporate documentation, including mergers, acquisition and drafting of mining leases and shareholders agreements; and real estate documentation. In addition, he has undertaken pro bono works as well as CSR activities beyond his scope of work so that legal amenities can reach those who need it the most. He has mostly dealt with causes like rights of senior citizens, children, differently abled, women, and labour, and matters of workplace ethics and environment. He has also assisted social entrepreneurs to enable them to carry out their missions of positive social change and improve the lives of the poor and disenfranchised.
IDEAS AND JOURNEYS
With his business acumen and a mind-set towards driving business growth, protect rights, minimise risk and assure compliance, Mr. Sengupta has ensured that the idea of leadership is not towards validation of designations, but towards creating an approach that meets both the ends of the spectrum. This approach will then lead to the well-being of the team and success of the firm. He believes in the formation of a compassionate team that not only ventures into different contemporary laws, but also creates impact through justice. According to him, it is significant to identify up-and-coming professionals who have the skill set and ability to lead. Investing time and energy in their
training is what makes him certain that he is not only contributing to the company’s collective growth, but also enhancing the quality of the legacy that the legal fraternity is about.
VISION
Mr. Sengupta has duly been committed towards the growth of the wider legal fraternity where he continues to contribute towards new avenues of law. His major contributions have been towards exploration on the Legal Domain of Sports Law and Art Law, and other growing legal avenues such as Brand Management Laws. He perceives that the growth of technology is an opportunity towards embittering the legal profession and continues to critically study and examine the effects of AI in the legal profession. He believes in collective growth and fostering the legal fraternity as a whole, and so aims to set up a professional institution which can provide practical training and orientation to law students, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practice.
AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
“MR. SENGUPTA PERCEIVES IN COLLECTIVE GROWTH AND FOSTERING THE LEGAL FRATERNITY AS A WHOLE”
For his work, Mr. Sengupta has been awarded the Lex Falcon Award 2022 for the Singapore Chapter. He has been a part of various conferences and legal events to ensure that quality legal education continues to be imparted and opportunities are created for young lawyers. He has also been part of Lex Witness’ webinar, and seminars and conferences.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
Swetang’s education and training have been critical to his success as a leader. His Master’s in Business Administration, with a specialisation in Marketing & Sales and International Business, has equipped him with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex and dynamic business environment. Additionally, his Executive Management Program in Sales and Marketing from Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, has further honed his skills, giving him a broader perspective on business management. This extensive education and training has prepared him to tackle even the most challenging situations and make informed decisions.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Swetang believes in setting an example and improving the lives of those around him. He has demonstrated this through his impeccable
SWETANG SINHA
CREATING BUSINESS VALUES
A visionary and dynamic leader, Mr. Swetang Sinha has made a significant impact in the corporate world. The Group CEO of Sun Multinational DMCC has played a crucial role in its growth and success. His passion for success is contagious, inspiring everyone around him to work harder and aim for the best
leadership at Sun Multinational DMCC, where he has launched, and manages various apprenticeship programs designed to enhance the living standards of the communities where the company operates. Today, the Group operates in 12 countries across four continents with the mission to leverage the strengths of each brand and allied industry within the markets it operates to drive superior shareholder returns.
A FUTURE-FOCUSED LEADER
Swetang believes that innovation is what distinguishes “great businesses” from “good businesses”. He views it as a driving force behind value creation, both for the business and its stakeholders. Under his guidance, Sun Multinational DMCC has adopted a philosophy of value addition, which is evident in its extractive businesses. His career highpoint has been steering Sun Multinational and maintaining profitability across the Group during the pandemic.
HIS INSPIRATION
Swetang attributes his success to his father and great business leaders who have inspired him throughout his journey. He considers himself fortunate to have stood on the shoulders of some of the most courageous and visionary leaders in the business world. The humble leader credits his professional growth to the generosity of his Group Chairman, KP Damji, and the Group Managing Director, Mr. Rahul Sood, who discovered and nurtured him, helping him to become the leader he is today.
LEADING WITH COMPASSION
Under Swetang’s leadership, Sun Multinational DMCC has taken an active approach to corporate social responsibility. It has set up educational bursaries in over five countries, built three schools, and two medical facilities to benefit local communities. It has also partnered with health ministries and government entities to provide PPEs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and established apprenticeship programs in many countries.
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
“UNDER SWETANG’S LEADERSHIP, SUN MULTINATIONAL DMCC BUILT TWO MEDICAL FACILITIES TO BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITIES”
Swetang has led and supervised Sun Multinational Group subsidiaries to receive numerous awards and recognition, including Exporter of the Year (Suzan General Trading (Pvt) Ltd.), by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Top International Retail Operator – Sun Duty Free by Africa Tours & Commerce, and World Luxury Hotel Awards for Best Hotel Management Company by Sun Africa Hotels.
MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG LEADERS
TEJPREET SINGH GILL
COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EXCELLENCE
Mr. Tejpreet Singh Gill, Managing Director, Gillco Developers and Builders Private Limited, has taken the company to new heights. His passion and dream to make a name in the real estate sector paved the way for him. Today, he is known as one of the most successful developers in Chandigarh
Tejpreet Singh Gill took up the company’s responsibility as a second-generation entrepreneur. He focused on using his business skills and learnings to expand the business of the firm. With his futuristic approach, he brought digitalization into various activities, which helped in conducting all operations smoothly.
Committed to taking the company’s legacy ahead, Mr. Gill believes in providing excellence with the best quality building development, real estate, and construction services to all clients. His focus is to build a profit-oriented business and a blueprint for the firm’s growth.
The young leader values his reputation and image in the market. He believes that a good character contributes to earning great business and a regular clientele. Therefore, he works to impress the customers with his demeanour, disposition, and style of work. Working with an optimistic approach and the resolve to excel has won him many awards. He received the ‘MY FM Excellence Award’ in 2022 and ‘The Young Entrepreneur Real Estate Award’. He was also felicitated with the prestigious ‘Hindustan Times Real Estate Developer of the Year Award’ in 2022. He envisions his organisation to be the leader in the real estate sector in the country and has concrete future plans for visionary projects.
A TEAM-ORIENTED MANAGER
As a competent leader, Mr. Tejpreet Singh Gill makes constant efforts to generate more growth opportunities for his employees. Different extracurricular activities and games are organised to create a stress-free working environment for the team. He ensures a platform for all the employees wherein they can have open discussions and debates related to work and ethics.
He wholeheartedly welcomes the innovative ideas of his workforce and even implements them for the company’s and its employees’ success, and advocates for a smooth and pleasing working environment in the office. He
trains his co-workers to devise the most efficient solutions to tricky situations.
HIS GUIDING FORCE
Mr. Tejpreet Singh Gill takes his father to be his biggest motivation and inspiration. He religiously follows the principles and guidelines of his father. His father worked hard to build the company, and now, Mr. Gill works with the sole aim of taking the company to higher levels and turning it into a well-recognised brand.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he motivates everyone at work and appreciates their work openly. He has learned to value the contribution of each member of the company, which makes him an exemplary leader. He believes that the success and growth he has earned are just because his father motivated him to walk on the path of righteousness.
ADOPTING ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
“MR. SINGH VALUES THE CONTRIBUTION OF EACH MEMBER OF THE COMPANY, WHICH MAKES HIM AN EXEMPLARY LEADER”
Mr. Gill understands his responsibility towards the environment well. Therefore, sustainability has always been their priority. He offers construction services using advanced technology and raw materials as per international quality standards. He ensures that all the equipment and services undergo regular checks to meet quality standards. Mr. Gill has plans to step into a new segment wherein his team will build structures with minimal or no adverse effect on the ecological balance and quality of life.
Jim Collins in his celebrated book Good to Great studied the empirical evidence of outperformer companies to understand why some companies make the leap and others do not. The American management consultant found that the brands that made the switch from “a good enough” brand to “a great” brand were led by humble leaders with a strong will, an extraordinary talent to put together an effective team and collaborate with others to chart the course of the company, and an unshakeable belief that they will accomplish their intended objectives despite the obstacles along the way. The leadership infused in these companies a culture of consistent change, keenness to devise solutions to problems waiting at every turn, and right attitude towards business. AsiaOne Magazine’s latest list of Greatest Brands 2022–23 is a potpourri of a few of such outstanding brands that have created individual recipes of success for other brands to get inspired. Read on to get a glimpse of a few such handpicked and carefully researched brands that are frontrunners in their respective industries and truly deserve the title of Greatest Brands – Asia, Americas and Africa
BAJAJ AUTO
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS IN THE AUTOMOBILE WORLD
Bajaj Auto of the Bajaj Group has transformed the automobile industry with its indigenous two and three-wheeler vehicles. The globally acclaimed Indian brand manufactures innovative and hi-tech automobiles. It has a presence across the world, including Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and South & Southeast Asia
ne of the top 10 business houses in India, Bajaj Auto is ranked fourth among the top manufacturers of twowheeler and three-wheeler vehicles of the world. Continuously upgrading its products since 1945, the company is a brilliant manufacturer that has an innovative automobile range instilled with world-class features.
The organisation has been manufacturing flawless products ranging from Bajaj CT (100cc engine) to Bajaj Dominar (400cc engine) to meet the needs of every customer.
A BLEND OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
By keeping itself updated with cuttingedge technology, Bajaj Auto continues to produce high-end products. Its twowheelers are powered by the digital twin spark ignition (DTS-i) engine that unlocks incomparable power and reliability.
The company produces sturdy bikes with Nitrox mono-shock suspension and
twin-shock absorbers that turn riding into a comfortable journey. Its bikes have projector headlamps that enable the rider with remarkable visibility at night. Bajaj bikes are loaded with many salient features like the anti-lock braking system (ABS), fuel injector systems and rear disc brakes, which make them a popular choice in the market.
Bajaj Auto is the largest exporter of two-wheeler and three-wheeler vehicles of India. It exports high-performance products to more than 70 countries and enjoys huge popularity around the world.
During its progressive journey, the company has increased its share in KTM (Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen), an Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, from 14% to 48%. Presently, the company solely produces the Duke series of KTM bikes and exports them all over the world.
AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS
Bajaj Auto is credited with introducing
quadricycles, Bajaj Qute, in India that are loaded with exclusive features and utilities. Qute is a cross between an autorickshaw and an entry-level car, and has seating space for a driver as well as three passengers. The vehicle is highly fuel-efficient, has low maintenance cost, and is powered by a DTS-i engine and closed-loop fuel injection system. It is an all-weather friendly vehicle and navigates better in water-logged conditions.
After partnering with Uber, Bajaj Auto is all set to provide an affordable and smart urban commuting option to people. The eminent manufacturer of threewheelers and quadricycles is also fuelling transportation services with unmatched products under the name, Bajaj Intracity.
Today, the auto manufacturer has a wide portfolio of vehicles compatible with all fuel types, including petrol, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas and diesel. It is working on making public transportation easier and costeffective. Thanks to its relentless efforts and superior products, the company has gained a strong foothold in 36 countries across the world.
A ROLE MODEL IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Bajaj Auto is carrying the Bajaj Group’s philanthropic legacy forward by making contributions to the field of skilling and education, health, livelihoods, and water conservation.
Over the years, the company has contributed more than Rs. 1,300 crore towards various social causes. Under the Bajaj Education Initiative, it takes care of 76 underprivileged schools in Pune and supports infrastructure development and capacity building.
In addition, Bajaj Auto has partnered with Bhartiya Yuva Shakti Trust for executing a Youth Entrepreneurship Program meant for assisting disadvantaged youth by developing their business ideas into viable enterprises.
ASIA’S GREATEST BRAND 2023
SERVICES
When trust and excellence are attached to a company’s name, it embarks on a journey to create a legacy.
That is what Prantik Group has initiated with its exemplary products and services. Established in 1998, the Group is now a celebrated name in the marine industry of Bangladesh.
Prantik Group is the brainchild of Md Golam Sarwar, the Managing Director of the organisation. Over the years, it has identified the needs of the marine industry and launched suitable solutions. As a result, it is now an unparalleled name in shipping, specialised shipbuilding, engineering, offshore emergency support, maritime logistics, agency, manning, and salvage business.
The list of its clients goes beyond Bangladesh to international destinations. Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Hilong, Torm, Antara Koh, Chittagong Port Authority, Excelerate Energy, and Sumitomo Corporation are some of its clients. So be it the US, Europe or China, the Group has reached different corners of the world to establish its business. It has also opened offices in various countries, such as Bangladesh, Singapore, and the USA.
THE PERFECT EXPANSION PLAN
Prantik Group started with the aim of becoming a leader, and has consistently launched services to meet the demands. It began with Prantik Marine Services Limited as the parent entity in 1998, under which the organisation offered repair services to the marine and industrial industries.
As the first company of the Group, Prantik Marine Services Limited introduced several cutting-edge marine technologies in the Bangladesh market. Continuing the efforts made at the successful parent organisation, the founder expanded the Group by establishing Faststream Logistics Limited in 2001.
Faststream Logistics Limited manages logistics operations, and is known to own some of the best-performing vessels, including the most powerful tugboat in Bangladeshi waters.
The next on the list of Prantik Group’s expansion plan was Prantik Maritime, whose main work revolved around being an agency to the overall organisation. So, from handling port services of shipping and manning to customs and maritime
logistics, the organisation managed them all.
Things started excelling with the launch of Prantik Bengal Salvage & Diving in 2007, as the company became the first and only member of the International Salvage Union from Bangladesh. In addition, it is the only organisation in Bangladesh that has received approvals and certifications from International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), including ABS, BV, DNV, and LR.
In 2008, Prantik Group added another vertical – Desh Shipbuilding &
Engineering Limited – to produce highquality vessels in the country. It also offers shipping equipment and storage space on a rental basis. To put it briefly, the Group has made several strides to be the best at what it does. If there is a company that has made Bangladesh’s marine industry more efficient and technologically advanced, it is none other than Prantik Group.
ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICE
Prantik Group’s success did not happen overnight. Since its inception, it has continuously worked towards offering its customers the best services along with 24x7 support. It believes in building a viable business that ensures top quality and safety. The organisation also has a solid commitment to the customers. So, whether it is a public holiday or midnight, the company ensures response and acknowledgment of its customers’ needs and actively solves their problems. This is why the Group has seen nearly a 100% client retention year-over-year.
PRANTIK GROUP
MAKING STRIDES OF EXCELLENCE IN SHIPPING
More than two decades have passed since the beginning of Prantik Group. It is now one of the most successful and trusted names in the marine industry in Bangladesh. The Group offers a wide range of comprehensive and end-to-end solutions, which has helped it achieve an esteemed clientele not just in Bangladesh but also abroad
EDUCATION
BHARATH INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
DEVELOPING THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW
The purpose of college is to prepare future generations for a successful life. Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research resonates with this purpose. The university motivates its students to become enlightened citizens who are engaged intellectually, and can become torchbearers of tomorrow
he education stalwart
TMr. S. Jagathrakshakan laid the foundation of Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research in 1984. It started as an engineering college in Chennai and was known as Bharath Engineering College. In 2003, the engineering college got the university status, and now is a deemed private university in Chennai, well-known as Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER). Presently, the university is under the chairmanship of Mr. J. Sundeep Anand.
Nearly four decades old, the institution has over 60 undergraduate, post-graduate, and Ph.D. courses in various disciplines. Among these, the most sought-after courses include engineering, biotechnology, information technology, mathematics, mechatronics, architecture, genetics, computer application, dentistry, medical sciences, and paramedical sciences such as nursing and physiotherapy.
ABET, USA, accredited BIHER in 2018, making it the country’s first deemed university to receive such an honour. The university has received a series of accreditations, such as NAAC, NBA, NABL, ISO, and NIRF ranking, QSWorld ranking, MHW, and Global Impact Ranking. It holds various national conferences attended by thousands of brilliant minds across the nation.
Every college affiliated with the university cares about each student.
The colleges help the students find purposeful work that excites and ignites their minds. The faculty believes that encouraging students to select the work they like significantly increases their chances of success in the professional world. Therefore, the varsity has developed ties and signed memorandums of understanding with international universities, including North American University and Universiti Putra Malaysia.
A DISTINGUISHED NAME IN ACADEMIA BIHER is a stepping stone to a promising
career. The university is noted for making dreams come true, coveted placement offers, and preparing students to thrive in the future. It takes pride in its notable alums, known for making history on the global platform with their knowledge and innovative ideas. The faculty and academicians have helped students build dependable and meaningful careers.
Every academic session, fine academicians and qualified faculty at the affiliated colleges train 15,000 students for job opportunities. Adding to the list of achievements, the university has 400 patents and more than 3 lakh publications to its credit.
STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE
BIHER holds many awards and recognitions for its excellent academic pursuits. All the personnel associated with the university feel honoured being a part of such a prestigious university. It was awarded the “Best Private University of the Year” by the World Education Congress in 2014. The same year, it also received the “Best Multi-Stream University” by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
The institute was felicitated with “Best Globalised Higher Education Institution” and “Excellence in Medical Education and Research” awards at Worldwide Education Summit 2016, Dubai. Likewise, the university was recognised with “Best Private University of the Year 2016” and “Best Architecture School of the Year 2016” at Higher Education Summit –ASSOCHAM and HRD, New Delhi. In the same year, Brand Academy Governing Council, New Delhi also honoured the university with “Best Placement in India” title. Recently, Chennai-based NGO, Bhumi Charitable Trust felicitated Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research with “Bhumi Campus Awards 2022,” for being one of the most socially responsible institutes in the country.
AMMS Logistics takes pride in establishing itself as a trustworthy, timely, and responsive marine and shipping company that fulfils the demands of its customers throughout Bangladesh. The company focuses on lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders, clients, staff, suppliers, and multiple port authorities. It formulates countermeasures for environmental problems and aims towards a sustainable society. It adheres to the principle of profit maximisation while conforming to societal norms. Since its inception, the firm has earned a reputable position in the logistics industry with its slogan of “total client satisfaction.”
AMMS Logistics has become a leading agency in integrated logistics solutions in national and international markets. It plays a substantial, crucial, and varied role in all shipping and supply chains. Through a unique blend of leadership, competence, and a consistent track record of performance, it provides highquality end-to-end services. The company provides comprehensive and personalised services under one roof with reliable and prompt service. This has significantly resulted in its lucrative growth. It caters to the increasing needs of ship-owners, traders, and maritime carriers with efficiency and professionalism.
BACKED BY THE EXPERT
AMMS Logistics has flourished under Founder and Owner, Mr. Mohammed Shafiqul Alam Jewel, who is also the Managing Director of Radiant Shipping Limited, and Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association. He guides his employees using his practical and competent understanding of operating ships to discharge various general and heavy project cargo in the most efficient, safe, and successful manner possible.
EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE PROVISION
AMMS Logistics has partnered with shipping agencies to provide a host of services, including international freight forwarding, clearing and forwarding, logistic services, project equipment, marine survey inspection, and tours and travel. Its trained professionals can handle refrigerated cargo ship (reefer), standard containers, tanks, and flat rack containers. It has access to its affiliated firms’ Container Freight Stations and
Inland Container Depots, which are furnished with high-tech trailers and top lifters for handling containers.
AMMS Logistics stays on top of everchanging market trends and pays attention to trending innovations and its needs. It values close, frequent, and particularly long-term business relationships, which aids in distinguishing the company from other international shipping companies.
EMPLOYEE-FRIENDLY OUTLOOK
The firm considers its employees a crucial part of its success and the driving force
behind its growth. By investing in and bolstering critical business areas and employees, the company hopes to steadily increase its market position within the global shipping industry.
SOARING HIGH
AMMS Logistics works consistently to gain its clients’ trust. It actively involves itself in open communication and transparent working conditions. The company is renowned for its creative solutions that provide its customers access to contemporary, useful, and affordable options.
With a knowledge bank backed by its local and global partners, the shipping company strives to raise service quality while reducing expenses. As a result, it fosters increased efficiency and customer satisfaction. This also helps the organisation in steadily strengthening its market position in the global shipping industry. AMMS Logistics received the “Bangladesh Best Logistic Brands” award for its top-quality services.
AMMS LOGISTICS
LEADING PROVIDER OF SHIPPING AND LOGISTICS SERVICES
AMMS Logistics is one of the leading logistics service providers based in Bangladesh. With a unique combination of dynamic expertise built from rich experience and consistent performance, the company has emerged to be premier agency in the business of integrated logistics solutions and end-to-end services
EDUCATION
MEENAKSHI ACADEMY OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
FACILITATING SOCIETY’S TRANSFORMATION THROUGH WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION
Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (MAHER) is one of the most prestigious and fastest-growing educational institutions for professionals in the country. Under its rector Mrs. Jayanthi Radhakrishnan, MAHER provides students a perfect platform to pursue higher studies and take strides into the future
Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (MAHER) is a flagship institute (deemed-to-beuniversity) founded in 2004 in Chennai. It is a part of an educational conglomerate under the Meenakshi Ammal Trust, a public charitable and educational trust started in 1983. The trust was established to promote education among the young generation, focusing on rural areas. It disseminates scientific, technical, medical, and cultural proficiency through its various constituent institutes.
The most notable of the trust’s institutes is MAHER. which works for students’ welfare and gives them privileged access to the most innovative and advanced teaching and learning processes. Under the patronage of MAHER, its schools and colleges provide undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate degrees with specialisations in occupational therapy, yoga science and therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, dental, medical, allied health, sciences and humanities, among others.
VISION AND MISSION
MAHER’s vision is to build a world-class institution that strives to transform society through its healthcare advancements and develop high-quality professionals through its value-based programs. To realise its vision, MAHER wants to foster ethics and values in its students so that they become responsible citizens of the nation and provide a best-in-class learning experience with the freedom to invent and innovate. At the same time, the institute wants to advance global causes, develop societal consciousness for environment conservation and sustainable development, and collaborate with national and international institutes of eminence.
STELLAR
LEADERS AND CAMPUS
The administration of MAHER is wellstructured and unbiased in conducting the various functions of the institute. Under the able guidance of Honorable Chancellor Thiru A.N. Radhakrishnan, the officers play a vital role in fulfilling MAHER’s vision and diligently work towards it. Several
committees within the institute regularly come together to monitor the activities and deliver directions to the institute’s growth.
In addition, MAHER has deployed stateof-the-art infrastructure on its campus. Excellent transportation services are a primary factor in attracting students from diverse cultural backgrounds across the country. The administrative block has all the safety measures and air-conditioning facilities. It is a three-storey building with the high-end Central Research Laboratory (CRL), a highly-secured examination cell on the second floor, and a fully furnished auditorium with a seating capacity of 300 people. The academy’s building is beautifully connected with the surrounding nature and has a personal touch. The workshops and classrooms are fullyequipped. The building has more than 250 lecture halls across its 12 schools.
The campus also has archery training, a cricket ground, a grass-futsal court, a volleyball court, and a ground for track and field events to encourage the overall development of students. All buildings have a wide wireless computing network, allowing students and faculty to access the internet anytime. The institution focuses on gender parity. The school staff ensures that girls are treated on par with the boys and are given equal opportunities. It has an exclusive ‘Student Grievance Redressal Cell,’ ‘Anti-Ragging Committee,’ and ‘AntiSexual Harassment Committee.’
AWARDS AND ACCREDITATIONS
MAHER has been ranked thrice among the top 100 universities in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), Ministry of Education, Government of India. It has received several accreditations from non-government and government agencies like NAAC, UGC, MIC (Initiative of the HRD Ministry), ISO, NABL, and NIRF. In addition, it has been certified by the ISO (ISO 21001:2018) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH).
EMERGING
t is said that numerology bridges the gap between who you are now and who you have the potential to be. It is one of those ancient mystical studies that lead people towards self-discovery and reaching their highest potential. Following the same ideology, Chaudhry Nummero is making people’s life easier. This firm offers a wide range of consulting services, such as basic numerology, relationship numerology and career numerology, to name a few. They even provide end-to-end solutions for Vastu issues at home and office. Today, the firm has provided the best services to thousands of people.
IthE MaN bEhINd succEss
Chaudhry Nummero’s success can be rightly attributed to Dr. JC Chaudhry’s immense knowledge and practice. He is a renowned numerologist who has been practicing numerology for the past 38 years. Finally, in 2018, he established Chaudhry Nummero Private Limited to extend his help on a greater level.
Play and the Apple Store. The app provides insightful and near-accurate predictions based on various numerology-based parameters such as the Psychic number, Destiny number, Name number, etc. It also helps the users through daily prediction, monthly prediction and yearly prediction, a better understanding of oneself, the best year for investment, etc.
GEttING Global REcoGNItIoNs
Dr. JC Chaudhry is planning to expand the firm’s reach by opening offices abroad. The beginning of this journey has found its first
Dr. JC Chaudhry has authored several books on numerology to share his insights and knowledge. Through his books on advanced numerology and practical numerology, he aims to teach more people about the wonders of numerology.
He has also authored books like the ABC of Vastu Shastra, Prractical Numerology, You and Your Gems, Mudra: Healthy Life at YourFingertips, and Nature: The Best Cure, to help people through mystical sciences. Mr. JC Chaudhry also gives one-on-one numerology consultations to ensure right guidance and motivation for his clients. In the past four years, the company’s clientele has increased exponentially. From employees to company heads, everyone seeks guidance from Chaudhry Nummero. People can contact Chaudhry Nummero’s consultants for personal guidance regarding children, love, relationship, career, and even health. As for corporates, Chaudhry Nummero conducts numerological audits and helps identify the best time for investment and suitable names for brands and companies, among others.
Jc NuMMERRo app
The success of Chaudhry Nummero has reached such a level that the company has now launched its app. JC Nummerro App is one of India’s most reliable numerology apps and is available free on both Google
milestone in Dubai in 2022. In the future, he plans to open offices in London and New York. But this is not the only way Chaudhry Nummero is getting global recognition. Dr. JC Chaudhry has also launched the Indian Institute of Numerology (IIN) and the International Numerology Forum (INF) to spread awareness about this science. Recently, Dr. JC Chaudhry received global recognition for numerology. He was honoured with the first-ever Guinness World Record for the highest number of viewers on his YouTube LIVE Session on Numerology on 1 January 2022. The event saw over 6,000 participants from the USA, the UK, the Middle East, and India. If the company keeps helping people like this, it is not far away that it will become a top numerology firm worldwide. Find the details below to contact Chaudhry Nummero for consultation and booking. Website: https://www.jcchaudhry.com/ Email: support@jcchaudhry.com
Contact Person: Vivek Sahai Mobile No.: +91 9650797652, +971 506731943
Chaudhry Nummero
chaNGING dEstINy wIth NuMbERs
The secrets of occult sciences have not been explored fully yet, and numerology is one such field. However, Dr. JC Chaudhry’s Chaudhry Nummero have decoded its ins and outs to align destiny, deeds and perfect timing, to help individuals and corporations and increase the probability of their success
EDUCATION
SANTINIKETAN MEDICAL COLLEGE
A LEADER IN TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING
Santiniketan Medical College, founded under National Medical Commission Act, is led by transformation learning. The college based in Bolpur, West Bengal offers courses designed to help students grow holistically. Its passionate and skilled team members are dedicated to help students become successful professionals and make an impact on the world
Located in one of India’s hubs of education, Santiniketan Medical College (SMC) reflects the vibrant energy of Bolpur, West Bengal. Bolpur is the location of Visva-Bharati, the acclaimed university set up by Nobel laureate and poet Rabindranath Tagore. The Bard of Bengal chose this location for his Ashram School in 1901 and eventually established the varsity in 1921 for advanced study and research. Now, after a century, in 2020, the city got SMC, which has been working to reform medical education delivery in the country.
A MODEL PARTNERSHIP
The SMC is India’s first medical college built through a public-private partnership under the National Medical Commission Act. The college is the first one to come up after the Centre’s decision to open a path for private players to partner with government hospitals and build medical
colleges. Set up under the supervision of NITI Aayog, the teaching hospital is affiliated with Bolpur Sub-divisional Hospital.
Another important driver behind SMC’s foundation has been the difficulty millions of ambitious and determined medical aspirants in India face while choosing a national institute to study. SMC’s priority has been to become their top choice and help them shape their careers with the ethos of holistic knowledge and service to humankind. The college believes in “producing doctors with a difference,” so that the students come out as doctors who are professionally competent, ethically and morally excellent, well aware of community health requirements, well-versed in the latest health technologies, and capable of meeting global health challenges. The purpose required a host of resources and facilities – from well-equipped labs to the most highly qualified and well-experienced faculties from all over the country – to
provide students with an unparalleled academic experience. The college has not only achieved these parameters, but also ensured an environment suitable for their holistic growth.
ON A NOBLE MISSION
In addition to producing globally competent medical professionals, the medical hospital-cum-institute
provides world-class medical services compassionately at a reasonable cost. All faculty members and student doctors at the college work toward serving humanity with sincerity, passion towards lifelong learning, meaningful research, and patient care guided by ethics.
The potpourri of learning experiences at the college helps students grow in and out of the classroom. It aptly puts its motto as “MANTRA,” the acronym for Medical care with compassion, Academic excellence, Nurturing student quality, Technologydriven education and care, Research and innovations, and Achieving continuous and lifelong excellence. In addition, it has hired a team of passionate and skilled faculty and staff to help students become successful professionals and change the world for the better.
A CAMPUS WITH A DIFFERENCE
The sprawling 25-acre campus of
SMC is a self-contained area with complete and excellent infrastructure and teaching-learning resources that provide an intellectually stimulating and enjoyable learning ambiance. The hostels accommodate over 200 males and females students. The campus has the best amenities and offers its residents and visitors an eco-friendly environment with no presence of mobile phones, vehicles and plastic.
The college has an array of modern laboratories with the state-of-the-art equipment, where trained staff assists and guides students. Its Skills Lab is a unique facility to teach students using simulation technology. This lab aims to provide a safe environment for students to learn, practice, and be observed performing skills in a simulated environment, thus mitigating the risks involved in direct patient exposure without adequate preparation and supervision.
An exciting feature of the SMC campus is its unique museums. Here, medical facts and oddities of the human body are displayed to mesmerise and motivate the learners. The museums, such as the Anatomy museum, preserve a collection of over 300 dissected specimens and 500 models and other fascinating rarities removed from the human body, making the place a veritable bank of visual reference.
DIFFERENT FROM THE REST
Within a brief period, SMC has built a system where quality care and learning thrive simultaneously. It uses internationallevel teaching materials and ensures that learning is an enriching experience for students. With a perfect blend of discipline and comprehensive education, the campus offers a friendly environment where students achieve more than just degrees.
Santiniketan Medical College pays equal attention to medical students’ co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. It is crucial, as it aims to evaluate students based on their physical, mental, social, emotional, and intellectual quotient so that they can face and overcome all life challenges with firm determination, extraordinary patience, and persistent diligence while achieving their goals.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Within a very short period of time, Santiniketan Medical College has built a system where quality prevails. It has been chosen as the Best Medical College in West Bengal at the Asia Education Summit and Awards 2022. Dedicated to its mission of building India’s next-generation doctors and changemakers, the college believes that its real awards will be its doctors who will bring laurels to the country.
EMERGING
EDUCATION
EDNOVATE
A ONE-STOP SOLUTION FOR COMMERCE STUDENTS
Mumbai-based edtech start-up Ednovate has been transforming the lives of commerce and chartered accountancy students through its innovative and highly result-oriented way of teaching. Led by the success stories it has created so far, the Company plans to add more students and cities to its network
Launched in 2021, Ednovate was incorporated on the ideology and philosophy of ‘Innovating Education’ in CA coaching industry. To bridge the gap between students and the difficulties they face, it initiated innovative and fun learning techniques and methodologies through technological intervention to help students prepare for their examinations. The Company has a team of dynamic and highly qualified Professors with a proven track record. Ednovate has become brand synonymous with quality, innovation, and a result-oriented approach. It has set a record in Mumbai by producing highest number of 6 (Six) AIR for CA Intermediate May 2022 exam primarily on account of its focused outcome based approach. The approach focuses on six pillars: (1) Best-in-class faculty (2) Concentrated Focus on Conceptual Clarity, (3) Rigorous Writing Practice (4) Exhaustive Study Material, (5) Mentorship Program, and (6) 24*7 Support and Extra Miles, which
are unique due to its execution style, and has delivered to the task and registered a record number of All India Ranks in its first year. The positive results have already led to a phenomenal growth of students – more than 8,500 – in various courses at Ednovate over a course of time.
Undeterred by the difficult times shaped by COVID-19, these professors connected with thousands of commerce students through interactive live classes to solve their doubts and build their concepts and confidence. Working steadily on its mission of achieving 100 percent result in the CA examination, Ednovate has already registered better (more than double) passing percentage than that of the ICAI.
A ONE-STOP SOLUTION
The start-up began by analyzing the difficulties faced by commerce and CA students and responded by developing executable solutions to their problems. The professors at Ednovate are well connected to various industry experts and they bring in practical examples and
case studies in their teaching methods to transform students into high-performing professionals. It also provides Articleship Assistant to Intermediate students and has launched Edno Placement Cell for CA students. The objective is to provide seamless experience and make Ednovate one-stop solution for students.
STUDENTS’ MENTAL WELL-BEING
An interesting feature of the venture is its attempt to help student beat mental health issues. The stress of competition, examination and peer pressure drive a number of CA students towards mental health issues. Ednovate has come up to their rescue through in-house counselling and mentorship. It is absolutely essential for all professors at Ednovate to listen to students and understand their problems. An in-house mentor provides customised one-to-one guidance to solve all study and mental health related challenges.
FUTURE PATHWAY
In the next five years, Ednovate intends to have at least 40,000 students onboard across India and abroad. The Company plans to expand to South Indian cities of Bengaluru and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Ednovate also plans to go up the North, parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat by the end of financial year 2024. The Company proposes to offer new courses and foray into CBSE/ICSE (classes 11th and 12th) school coaching through partnerships with schools. The other push is towards improving technology and product by amplifying user dashboard to integrate multiple value-added features.
TOWARDS A MORE INCLUSIVE WORLD
The Team believes that gender diversity and inclusion are important pillars of any company. Forty percent of Ednovate’s workforce is women and it intends to raise this ratio to 50% in next 2 years aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5.
EMERGING
argo Logistics and Shipping has created a significant presence in the country by providing the most competitive prices to clients for even the busiest and remotest ports.
CThe organisation is located in New Delhi and is wholly an international freight forwarding company. It offers all types of transportation services — air, road, and rail — to clients as per their requirements. The organisation has branches in Delhi, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hong Kong, Cochin, and Mundra, and is associated with agents in about 25 countries worldwide. It has offices at almost all the major ports and inland points.
A REFINED APPROACH
Mr. Manuj Adlakha was aware of the ambiguity prevailing in the logistics industry in the country. He realised that the sector needed holistic development. He, therefore, came up with his own company, Cargopeople Logistics and Shipping. Happy customers and employees play an important role in making a company successful. Cargopeople Logistics and Shipping has always been very particular in maintaining a transparent and close relationship with all of its clients and staff. This has brought the company not only satisfied employees, but also a regular clientele.
The Cargopeople Logistics and Shipping team is duly awarded for their efforts, and their health is ensured. In return, the staff works diligently for the company’s profitability and success. The team members do not hesitate to bring up new ideas and keep trying to offer the best services. As a result, the clients get a timely update on the goods and are in constant touch with the team. The update provides a sense of satisfaction to the customers, and the company also earns the clients’ and agents’ trust. The chief focus is on fulfilling delivery commitments within the stipulated time to have satisfactory feedback from the clients.
STANDING OUT IN THE MARKET
This logistics company is different from others in the logistics sector because it provides services even in the remotest areas for any cargo. With excellent networking worldwide, it offers door-todoor services to its clients. The use of advanced technology helps the clients
with real-time status of their shipment, while round–the–clock support makes the company’s operations transparent. The director believes in harnessing new tools to become competitive in the cut-throat market. For now, the company is using Google-based services to have all-time access to the shipments. The company’s service sectors in CIS, Africa, and China are still a far-sighted dream for other organisations in the logistics industry. The people working for the company leave no stone unturned to provide a seamless experience to the
clients. With every detail of the shipment just a click away, the consignments are picked up from the desired location and dropped at the destination of the client’s choice. The company promises to give a safe and timely delivery of their goods.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Cargopeople Logistics and Shipping has proved its value in the market by earning huge profits in its first year of launch. It grew 100% year on year, and in the journey of ten years, it has had more than 1,300 SMEs with 1,000 K satisfied customers, 4586 M tonnes of goods delivered, and around 50 countries covered. One of the fastest-growing companies in the logistics sector, Cargopeople Logistics and Shipping has received the title of ‘Best Multimodal Freight Forwarder of the year - North Category’ from the India Cargo Awards. Mr. Manuj Adlakha has also represented his company at international platforms such as WCA, and has been a part of the Indian delegation in Germany under the IGMPT Program in 2018.
CARGOPEOPLE LOGISTICS AND SHIPPING
SCALING UP LOGISTICS OPERATIONS WITH EASE
Mr. Manuj Adlakha established Cargopeople Logistics and Shipping in 2011. It is one of the leading freight forwarding companies that provide hassle-free transportation to organisations globally. The company handles air and sea shipments and works for trucking, warehousing, custom clearance, and insurance sectors
SERVICES
TAPASYA EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
AN INSTITUTION TRANSFORMING YOUNG MINDS
Started in 2009, Tapasya Educational Institutions is a meditational and holistic commerce and management institute. Its Chairman, Mr. Sreedhar Muppala, runs the college with a student-centric approach amid a fun learning environment. To him, these two are conducive to students’ intellectual and emotional development
Education has a tremendous potential to bring change in the world and is vital for the development of any country.
Tapasya Educational Institutions was founded to turn the students into leaders of tomorrow. It offers a wide span of advanced courses in management and commerce to enrich the learners’ minds and prepare them for a successful career nationwide. It has an impressive placement record which speaks volumes about its commitment to making the career of the students. The Chairman of the university promises that if a student enters Tapasya Educational Institutions as a high school graduate, then the child will attain a college degree, a professional qualification, and job prospects after graduating.
Moreover, the students in this institute get ample opportunities to showcase their talents in not just academics but also in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, which ultimately leads to their holistic development. Many other vital
facilities are available in the institution, for example, expert guidance for students, personal coaching and mentoring, talks and seminars by industry professionals, regular educational tours, and industrial visits for the students’ practical training. In addition, timely counselling is provided to prepare them for their future. The teachers working at the institution leave no stone unturned to guide the students so that they make the right career choice for themselves. The students can use their potential and abilities in the best possible way. Overall, studying at Tapasya Educational Institutions is the best way for a child to learn and have fun simultaneously.
GETTING BIGGER AND BETTER
Tapasya Educational Institutions has risen to prominence due to its unique and innovative teaching methods. It has emerged as a renowned brand in the education sector. Mr. Seeedhar Muppala started this journey with a single college in the year of its inception, and today, it has
a network of more than 17 Intermediate and Pre-University Colleges. There are 10 degree colleges and 12 branches spread throughout the states of Telangana and Karnataka. It is a hub of education with more than 400 well-versed faculty members, 12,000 students, 15 program streams, and more than 5,000 wellplaced students working in MNCs globally. It covers around 3,20,000 sq. ft. of space in 25 spacious buildings. It is a brand to be reckoned with in Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
BEATING INDUSTRY–ACADEMIA GAP
The business world is changing rapidly and the developments brought in by digitalization are numerous. It has a significant impact on the realms of business and commerce. Therefore, the world needs business leaders who can overcome any challenge and transform the future.
The students at Tapasya Educational Institutions are trained about the reality under business experts and wellexperienced faculty. It has established a dedicated corporate relations department to give the students industry exposure, the best placements, and training. They have an Entrepreneurship Development Cell, a Corporate Recruitment Training Cell, and Industry Exposure Cell. All of them are the wings of the Corporate Relations Department. These wings work round-the-clock to provide support and assistance to the students.
The Tapasya Educational Institutions is a perfect place where theory meets practice. It offers courses like B.Com, B.B.A., and Business Analytics for three years, a full-time graduation program, MEC, and CEC as part of the intermediate program affiliated with the Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education. Also, it offers a Company Secretary course as a graduate program in financial records, company policies, tax returns, legal aspects, among others.
Led bby a strong and committed team, the business has managed to grow consistently. The property’s promoter Mr. Colaco is a well-known philanthropist and businessman. Under his vision, Clarks Exotica has become Bengaluru’s preferred destination for corporate conventions, weekend getaways, wedding destinations, and spa-cations. He being the owner and under the leadership of Managing Director Mr. Vivek Kumar and CEO Mr. Balaji and his team who have been working diligently to build a sustainable business that withstands the test of time. Slowly, steadily, and with consistency, have built a brand that has a loyal base of customers.
SERVING WORLD TRAVELLERS
Located just minutes away from the Kempegowda International Airport, Clarks Exotica has been built very strategically to attract international travellers. The hotel has 152 rooms and suites, 11 banquet halls, and sports facilities such as table tennis, basketball, a swimming pool, and more. Its most renowned feature is the Ocean Convention Centre, which is spread over 50,000 sq. ft., and one of the largest event spaces of Bengaluru.
In an extremely crowded industry where the customer is often swayed by reviews, deals, and discounts, Clarks Exotica has been able to hold its place for more than a decade. This has been made possible by its commitment to quality service. Its ratings have been spread by word of mouth and helped the brand to maintain a very loyal customer base over the years.
Being an IT city, Bengaluru sees a lot of top brass of corporates as visitors. These guests also form the top clientele of Clarks Exotica. Executives of brands such as Boeing, BMW, Benz are just a few regular guests at the premium hotel property.
Another factor that has helped the company grow is by keeping up with the technology. Real-time feedback from clients, digital records of clients’ preferences, and keeping the latest technology amenities have been one of the few reasons for its consistent success. Having technological enhancements at every step of the guest journey is crucial for hotels today, and Clarks Exotica follows it to the letter.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
The brand stands for best-in-class service and has been recognised many times for its top-notch amenities. In 2017, it was awarded with the ‘Recognition of Inspirational Company’, by the World Confederation of Businesses (WORLDCOB) at the BIZZ Peak of Success Awards.
Clarks Exotica also won the ‘Best Convention and Exhibition Centre’ at India MICE Awards 2017, the highest accolade in MICE in the country. Asia Leading Resorts Inc. bestowed Clarks
Exotica with two titles in 2017: ‘Best Wedding Destination In India For The Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spa Resort Destination In India For The Year 20172018’ at the Asian Lifestyle Tourism Awards.
In 2015, Clarks Exotica won several accolades. The long list of awards include ‘Best Resort for MICE’ by CMO Asia at the Asia Hotel Industry Excellence Awards, the “Best MICE Resort” at the South India Travel Awards by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Today’s Travellers Award for the “Best Resort in Bangalore”, and the “5 Star Award” in the category of Resort Hotel for India in the Asia Pacific Region by the International Hotel Awards.
Customer Charter by Customer Service Institute of Australia, a premier Government institute, conferred the International Service Excellence Award on Clarks Exotica in the same year. Its wide recognition and consistent performance are a great inspiration to many.
CLARKS EXOTICA
MODEST LUXURY WITH PANACHE
Clarks Exotica Convention Centre and Spa was set up in 2007 by NRI entrepreneur Mr. Ronald Colaco. In 2007, he started the hospitality venture as club house with 21 rooms. Today, it is a world-renowned property with over 152 rooms spread over 50,000 sq.ft., and among Bengaluru’s largest event spaces
ASIA’S GREATEST BRAND 2023
ENERGY & POWER
THAI GREEN POWER SOLUTION
BUILDING A CLEANER, SAFER FUTURE
Sustainability is the need of the hour, and Thai Green Power Solution is all set to fulfill this need. The Thailand-based company has just started the journey to build a greener country by prioritising sustainable operations in several residential and commercial projects
n the 2022 Global Sustainability Index, Thailand was ranked first among the ASEAN countries. The ranking was assessed on several factors, and the results were quite positive.
However, this was not the result of a quick transformation. Businesses and the government strived hard to reduce poverty, offer the best education, and provide clean water and sanitation to reach the number one spot. There is also one industry that saw significant changes – business sustainability.
To retain Thailand’s position at the top of the sustainability index, Thai Green Power Solution Co. Ltd. was established in 2022. The company came into being after visionaries of the technology industry realised it was time for the nation to invest in solutions that promote self-sufficiency in terms of green energy and prevent climate change.
Today, under the aegis of Kandaswamy Murugesan – the Founder and CTO –
Thai Green Power Solution Co. Ltd. is positioning itself as a prominent leader that can achieve the 1.5°C-compliant climate target under the United Nations’ declaration. The company is also aligning its goals with the spirit of patriotism to help Thailand become self-sufficient in power consumption without harming the environment.
SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY BUSINESS
Within a short span, Thai Green Power Solution Co. Ltd. has become a premier green solution provider in Thailand. The company has taken the first step by providing solar power to its clients in different categories. For this, it has already started the processes for government-tendered projects.
Thai Green Power Solution Co. Ltd. will also provide a cost-effective renewable energy solution to the public, along with quality products, workmanship, and after-sale service. In addition, the company is already taking care of the
installations of solar plants in heavy, medium, and small industries depending on their power requirements.
The company extends a wide gamut of services and solutions to commercial complexes, hotels, institutions, and religious and touristic centres. Residential societies and apartments can become energy efficient by opting for specialised renewal solar power installations.
Agriculture is also not left untouched. Thai Green Power Solution Co. Ltd. has a very competitive edge and is working to build solar-powered agro farms where farmers can utilise solar energy to grow high-quality crops.
BIGGER VISION, HIGHER GOALS, HEALTHIER PLANET
Even though Thai Green Power Solution Co. Ltd. is just a few months old, the company has shown its mettle through its well-laid plans and expertise in technology. It understands how crucial it is to continuously integrate blockchain technology into the energy sector to improve services. Mr. Kandaswamy’s vast experience in green blockchain has further accelerated the process and ensured that the company follows the right path to a greener future.
Thai Green Power Solution Co. Ltd. is confident that it will be one of Asia’s leading renewable energy companies providing low-carbon energy solutions to government, institutional, industrial, and commercial clients. The company will also look at setting up the rooftop, ground-mounted, group capital, largescale on-site solar projects, and off-site solar farms.
In addition to achieving its industrial sustainability, Thai Green Power Solution Co. Ltd. is also putting its best foot forward for social commitments. The company organises several welfare programmes that aim to increase the standards of living of Thai citizens.
Saif Powertech Limited began its operations with power and material handling solutions in the country’s engineering sector, and eventually, expanded its business to include a wide range of services. Today, the company offers erection, procurement, and commissioning solutions, large-scale construction, embankment, river dredging, state-of-the-art battery manufacturing, container handling and port machinery material handling solutions, renewable energy solutions, LED lighting solutions, and pharmaceutical plastic products’ production. It is also involved in servicing and overhauling power plants and fertilizer factories and producing pet bottles, CSD caps, spoons, measurement glasses, and stoppers.
The organisation launched its ports operation business in 2006 and has grown enormously since. Today, it handles 15.42 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a record cargo capacity for any operator in Bangladesh.
ROBUST AND GOAL-ORIENTED
Mr. Tarafder Md. Ruhul Amin runs Saif Powertech Limited with the help of 400 dedicated and talented employees. The dynamic team comprises engineers, planners, operations specialists, and safety experts. The professionals persevere to accomplish the most complex and challenging tasks and strive to come up with innovative solutions. Their focus is to give the best possible service to clients at an affordable cost.
All of these professionals are highly competent resources with years of work experience in several renowned and local companies, making them multi-disciplinary and capable of working at various levels of administration at the company. The staff religiously works for the benefit of the company and its clients. It is their objective to increase the customers’ profitability, while keeping their projects running smoothly. They abide by the timeline and cost, making them one of the best in this industry. The firm’s leaders credit their staff for their spirit and hard work.
ACHIEVING MILESTONES
In April 2022, Saif Powertech Limited signed a long-term trade facilitation and shipping agreement with Safeen Feeders. The firms collaboratively facilitate trade and cargo services from Fujairah in the UAE to Bangladesh. In the same year,
Saif Powertech Limited also started operating a new container terminal at Chattogram Port, the largest seaport of Bangladesh. The company has been handling almost 4,50,000 TEU annually since April 2022. It is already running the container and vessel handling operation at the Chittagong Container Terminal and Newmooring Container Terminal of Chattogong Port since 2007. More than 67% of containers at this port are handled by the company alone.
Saif Powertech Limited also operates Dhaka’s only rail inland Container
Depot. In 2023, the company will start a new terminal in Mongla Port that is currently under construction. The company has recently opened a Research and Innovation Cell, led by Dr. Razon Chandra Saha, who conducted the first intermodal freight transportation system Ph.D. research project for Bangladesh. In addition, it is planning to invest in the port logistics sector of the country and around the world to promote Bangladeshi brands globally. The Managing Director and his team are making constant efforts to make the company a popular name in the international market.
CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY
Saif Powertech Limited believes in working for the welfare of the disadvantaged sections of society. It contributed Tk2 crore to the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund to help fight the COVID-19 outbreak. The company also distributed relief materials among day labourers working at the terminals of the Chittagong Port.
SAIF POWERTECH LIMITED
PROVIDING SMARTER INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES
Set up 27 years ago, Saif Powertech Limited is one of the leading providers of infrastructure-support services in Bangladesh. Today, the company led by Mr. Tarafder Md. Ruhul Amin is also engaged in importing, trading, assembling, and installing generators, sub-stations, and electric equipment
RELIANCE SECURITIES
RELIABLE CHOICE FOR FINANCIAL GROWTH
Reliance Securities, a Reliance Capital subsidiary featuring an array of investment options, was established in 2005. In less than two decades, the broking and distribution company has grown to become India’s largest retail brokerage firm with more than one million customers PAN-India
Powered by Reliance Capital, Reliance Securities is a ‘neutral financial services marketplace’; empowering people to do what’s right for their money. The multi-product digital platform provides access to Mutual Funds, Stocks, Loans and Insurance, PMS, Corporate FDs and Bonds, amongst others; helping customers take informed decisions and transact across asset classes seamlessly. Reliance Securities is India’s leading ‘Broking and Distribution’ house, serving over a million customers with a strong retail focus with presence across 1500 plus locations PAN India.
SERVICES FOR EVERY NEED
Under the leadership of ED and CEO Mr. Lav Chaturvedi, the brand has consistently grown with its innovative and industryfirst initiatives. Systematic Digital Engagements (SDE) was a key propeller to the brand’s growth strategy. SDE helped in automating the processes and ensured seamless and all-encompassing end-to-
end digital experience to the customers; right from onboarding to transactions across asset classes.
Reliance Securities practices ‘phygital’ business model to ensure a seamless transition between the physical and digital worlds, enabling the brand to create reach across the country. The objective is to create a cohesive ecosystem for our partners and customers for informed investment decision making through financial literacy.
CONVENTIONAL DIGITAL PLATFORMS
Reliance Securities offer cost effective, intuitive and secure online trading and investment platforms for informed investing. It focuses on providing a broad selection of financial products, making it easier for users to accomplish their investment goals on one platform. With its cutting-edge trading platforms, digital tools, and swift market identification, it helps its clients access an exceptional trading experience.
Being well aware of the fact that
delivering a superior customer experience supported by reliable technology takes significant effort, the company’s trading platforms have provided ease and transparency to its clients through its system uptime, end-to-end digital customer on-boarding, and portfolio reporting.
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Reliance Securities offers the ease of trading through several channels, including online chat, call and trade, branch dealing desks, and a network of affiliates, to encourage more participation. By putting technology at people’s fingertips, it has improved operational access essential for enhancing investment planning and fostering rapid growth.
Reliance Securities has become one of the most compliant brokers by using regulatory technology (Regtech), which accelerated and streamlined compliance procedures. Clients can make informed financial decisions during trading and investing using advanced prediction technologies such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
High-tech forecasting tools like AI and ML for potential future occurrences and investment techniques aid trading and investing activities. Cloud-based, Roboadvisory-enabled platforms 36 robots offer customised investing solutions. It also provides solutions for insurance, and other investment products.
BUSINESS ETHICS, A PRIORITY
The firm takes pride in launching worldclass research offerings that help rapid and error-free execution. Extensive adherence to stock exchange rules, moral business standards, and powerful risk management capabilities contribute to its success. In 2020, it was ranked among India’s Top 10 Most Promising Share Trading Platforms. Within a short period, it has brought about a change in people’s lives by changing them for the better.
EMERGING SERVICES
The internet connects people across hundreds and thousands of kilometers.
More and more people rely on the internet for workrelated, and personal connections, but it is only half part of the picture. The other half is logistics. In a hyper-connected world, Smartr Logistics is a brand that offers premium and secure logistical services. The startup delivers innovative logistical solutions in a highly competitive logistics market by keeping its customers at the centre of its business.
RELIABLE
SERVICES
Smartr logistics started with the motto of breaking the myth that ‘Quality service comes at high price.’ It boasts of reliability as its biggest brand value. With the help of state-of-art technology and 24/7 availability, the company is gaining the trust and faith of several new customers. From booking to delivery of a product, customers can track their orders in realtime.
However, technology can provide only the infrastructure for business. It takes reliable leaders to make a company trustworthy for its customers. Smartr Logistics is helmed by the Indian logistics industry’s most dependable leader. He is the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Before Smartr Logistics, Mr. Dhingra had worked as CFO, COO, and CSO in Blue Dart and as an Independent Director in Ecom Express Pvt. Ltd..
It makes him one of the most soughtafter business executives in the logistical industry. Most of the other co-founders and CXOs of Smartr Logistics have 25+ years of experience working in the logistics industry. These stalwarts are accompanied by young professionals who hail from some of the most prestigious universities in the country.
LOGISTICS FOR EVERYONE
Within a short period, Smartr Logistics has launched an array of express services for everyone – be it a customer who wants to send or receive packages or confidential documents, or big brands who want a helping hand in shipping products en masse. Aerex Prime shipments, a popular express service by Smartr Logistics, cover fast doorstep delivery of products like passports, credit/debit cards, sample products, and gifts. The company offers Aerex Kargo service for B2B shipments
and Aerex eComm for eCommerce deliveries for B2C and D2C brands. Smartr Logistics’ Lokex Intracity takes care of B2B, B2C, and eCommerce customers with same-day and next-day deliveries within same city.
VISION – AS BIG AS THE COUNTRY
The vision of the founders behind starting a new-age logistics brand is to provide quality service to customers at competitive pricing thereby reducing the overall logistics cost of the country. Smartr Logistics is set out to be an
excellent business that provides one-stop solutions to all kinds of logistical needs. Most startups are indeed incepted with similar big visions. However, what sets Smartr Logistics’ inception apart from others is the launch of several successful services soon after its inception. The company launched its first set of services in October 2021. It worked at such a quick pace that it is now present in over 80+ big cities across India with more than 115+ smartr service centres. Every delivery product or service is successfully launched according to the extensive product roadmap. But the plans of Smartr Logistics do not just stop there. The brand will shortly launch many express products including Ground Express, International Express, International Freight, and Hyperlocal.
Innovation, agility, resilience, and transparency – these core values set by the founders are helping the company grow by leaps and bounds. At this pace, Smartr Logistics is bound to change the logistics landscape.
SMARTR LOGISTICS
CONNECTING THE WORLD WITH RELIABLE LOGISTICS
Owing to its quality service and transparency in pricing, Smartr Logistics is a booming logistics brand that has already marked its presence in 80+ major Indian cities. At this speed, the firm will soon cover over 300 cities in the next 2 years –emerging as one of the biggest & most-coveted logistics services brands in India
PRABHUDAS LILLADHER
CARRYING FORWARD THE LEGACY BUILT ON INTEGRITY AND ETHICS
For nearly eight decades, the Prabhudas Lilladher Group has been catering to the financial needs of Indians. It is one of India’s most reputed financial services organisations and is known for always adhering to its founding principles of trust, transparency, integrity, and accountability
client-first attitude, research-backed advisory, personalised guidance from qualified experts, and a comprehensive product suite are among the key factors that have enabled it to scale new heights, consistently.
Today, PL has a network of 1.35 lakh+ clients (globally), 250+ corporate relationships, 1700 franchise partners, and a presence in 200+ cities in India. It offers services ranging from Institutional Equities, Retail Broking and Distribution, Wealth Management, Investment Banking, and Corporate Advisory, Portfolio Management Services, and an NBFC arm. Market veteran Amisha Vora has played an instrumental role in PL’s success.
She joined PL in 2000, and has since risen the ranks to become the Chairperson and MD in November 2022. She has also increased her stake to 96% in the group’s holding company. Under her leadership, PL’s focus will remain on
being a value-added integrated financial services organisation with stellar research at its core.
THE GLORIOUS HISTORY
Back in 1944, PL was established as a stock broking firm by Mr. Prabhudas Lilladher Sheth. He aimed to grow this firm into India’s leading financial service provider. He instilled it in PL’s DNA to always put the client’s interests first.
Gradually, the company began expanding its operations. From offering doorstep services (a rarity in those times) to becoming one of the leaders in Badla Finance for the retail segment – the PL Group did it all. PL was also one of the first brokerage firms in India to computerize back-office operations. It also developed a strong network of franchisees. With the turn of the century, PL started diversifying its businesses in a phased manner.
All this led to exponential growth, enabling PL to become one of the most trusted financial services firms in India.
EVOLVING WITH THE TIMES
PL’s ability to keep up with the ever evolving financial needs of all Indians has enabled it to maintain its leading position. While it is a 78-year-old company, PL has always been nimblefooted and agile. It effectively uses its vast experience and expertise in navigating the capital markets. It has also blended its personalised advisory with technology. For instance, the PL Digi Trade app provides award-winning investment and powerful trade ideas, real-time actionable insights, a speedy interface, and lots more. PL’s Digi MF and PL Insurance apps also simplify the process of investing in mutual funds and insurance, respectively.
Another example is the usage of Quant. Siddharth Vora, Head - Investment Strategy & Fund Manager – PL PMS, spearheaded PL’s foray into the Quantitative Asset Management space. He built and led a team of experts who developed Multi-Asset Dynamic Portfolio (MADP). Its India’s first multi-asset PMS that deploys quantitative technology for tactical asset allocation. Siddharth has also developed a state-of-the-art Quant Platform for Equity & Asset Allocation Strategies, and is working towards expanding PL’s stronghold in the Quant Asset Management space.
CROWNING ACHIEVEMENTS
The PL Group has been the recipient of several prestigious awards. Most recently, PL was named one of the Best BFSI Brands in India, by The Economic Times in 2022. For its in-depth research, PL was also felicitated with the Thomson Reuters Analyst Awards in 2016. The way the PL Group has made a name for itself in the industry speaks volumes about its excellence. A highly qualified team of professionals, coupled with research expertise and a client-first attitude will pave the way for strong growth in the coming decade for the PL Group.
With almost 70 years of rich experience, S. Jalan & Co. has provided legal services to every entity possible, from industries, financial institutions, MNCs, software houses, SOHO to charitable and educational organisations, NGOs, and individuals. It offers services at par with international standards and requirements, and works for several core practice areas. Its real estate network offers an integrated service to clients operating in all aspects of commercial realty. It advises investors and institutions on a wide range of investment work, including the creation of the investment vehicle, funding, acquisition and disposal, management, and leasing.
The firm has considerable experience in disinvestment and privatisation advice on all forms of commercial arrangements and trading activity. In addition, it provides legal services to clients in the hospitality sector. It remains active in buying and selling individual hotels and small portfolios.
The financially-oriented services to hospitality clients include everything from land acquisition and construction contracts to employment and consultant contracts, and operations and technical contracts. The trademarks and design registration unit along with the team of freelance consultants offers a one-stopshop brand management and protection service to protect rights that exist in a company’s name, design or brand.
So, the company tries its best to be a legal friend of all the clients to take away all the legal obstacles that might be disturbing in the smooth functioning of their business.
PROGRESSIVE WORK CULTURE
The success of S. Jalan & Co. is due to the dynamic spirit of the team of lawyers working here. The team knows legal provisions inside out and applies them practically to help their clients. The swift delivery of legal services gives this law firm a unique competitive edge in the sector.
The multi-locational presence of the organisation ensures a seamless network of lawyers across the country. Committed to fulfilling all the clients’ legal requirements effectively, the lawyers diligently research the latest developments in law. There is also continual knowledge sharing among the teams across the country. This inclusive environment at the firm helps prompt and proficient delivery of services to benefit the clients. The seniors working
in S. Jalan & Co. believe in the company’s organic growth. Therefore, they want all the freshers, who join the firm to elevate their position to that of Equity Partners. This helps their personal development and increases the company’s success rate.
KEEPING PACE WITH THE CHANGE
The law sector is evolving each day. The focus is now to become more serviceoriented as the judicial framework is moving away from the set norms. Lawyers now have a broader field to develop specialised practice.
Keeping this in mind, S. Jalan & Co. has been expanding to multiple locations. It is opening up new departments of practice to cater to the demands of clients. The firm also takes up issues related to company law and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code across all the benches of the National Company Law Tribunal. It represents financial creditors, operational creditors, and corporate debtors.
A GREAT INITIATIVE
S. Jalan & Co. started a not-for-profit pro bono venture called ‘Access to Justice.’ The people at the firm strongly believe that the participation and assistance of civil societies and NGOs are essential to increase public awareness through research and dissemination of accurate information. Under the initiative, they take care of senior citizens’ rights, child rights, criminal justice, labour rights, women’s rights, tribal rights and liberties, provide assistance to social entrepreneurs, and improve the lives of the poor and marginalised.
S. JALAN & CO.
THE BEST LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS WITH RESULTS
One of the oldest and prominent law firms in Kolkata, S. Jalan & Co., was founded by the renowned jurist Mr. Shyamanand Jalan in 1950. With decades of experience of serving a diverse clientele, the company today is recognised among the Top Law Firms in India by the Asia Pacific Legal 500
J.B. BODA GROUP
THE PIONEER OF REINSURANCE BROKING IN INDIA
An idea with a vision is the stepping stone to success. These words hold true for J.B. Boda Group, the stalwart in the insurance and reinsurance sector for nearly 80 years. In 1943, there was a breakthrough in the insurance sector in India, with the Group stepping into the arena with its reinsurance portfolio
Adream was turned into reality by Late Chairman, Mr. Jagmohandas Bhagwandas Boda and his brother Late Mr. Dhirajlal Bhagwandas Boda. Hailing from Porbandar in Gujarat, these two visionaries set out to the commercial hub of India, Bombay, now known as Mumbai, in the milestone year of 1943. One can only imagine building an empire in the insurance and reinsurance sector in the pre-independence era, where European and American firms controlled the insurance business of the country. A brave step taken by the two leaders changed the course of the insurance sector in India.
MANIFESTING VISIONS INTO REALITY
J. B. Boda Group started with a modest beginning and sailed through the years with integrity and trust to reach the horizon. Its main domain is providing service to its customers. The Group now aims to upgrade and enhance its services with its calibre and fine quality.
In the 80-year-long association with various customers, the company has become a preferred service provider all across the globe.
The organisation vouches for intrinsic customer satisfaction by providing service with integrity. The present Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Gautam Boda not only ensures this, but also drives sustainable business growth, devises group strategy, and guides the execution, exploration and evaluation of new areas of opportunities.
The organisation has pioneered various domains like Casualty and Financial Lines, Engineering, Credit Employee Benefits, Property, Marine Hull and Cargo, Terrorism Risk, and Aviation, just to name a few. It takes pride in being the first-ever Indian Broking house to be endorsed by Lloyd’s Broker.
In addition, the Group has expertise in other portfolios such as International Business, Shipping, Ports, Construction, IT/ITeS, Manufacturing, and substantial sectors like Oil and Energy.
A HUMBLE BEGINNING
J. B. Boda Group was quite ahead of its time when the insurance and reinsurance sector was in the hands of overseas companies. Its founders made history by establishing India’s first reinsurance company and left no stone unturned. Years of relentless hard work helped the company witness a paramount increase in its success graph. From just one office in Mumbai to having 34 offices Pan-India, the company has had substantial growth. This is due to customer satisfaction and integrity in their approach over the years. In the years to come, the company ventured into the global market, and has established businesses in 90 countries with over 10 offices in different parts of the world.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
J. B. Boda Group has many awards and accolades to its credit. The company was awarded the “Reinsurance Broker of the year” by Zimbabwe Reinsurance Corporation consecutively in the years 1996, 1997 and 1999, and “Outstanding Contribution” to their business from Bajaj Allianz, India, in the year 2012–13. In 2013, it was awarded the “Best Usage of e-Thru Platform” from GIC Re, India, and “Sincere Appreciation” from Religare India.
The Group received the “National Organizing Committee for Support” award during the 15th African Reinsurance Forum in 2009 and “Plaque from Government House, Mongolia – Ulan Bator” in 2015.
One of the oldest and leading brokers of India, the J.B. Group has a record of accomplishing sustainable growth, and enhancing value for its clients in India, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and emerging countries. Due to its wide global network, it is recognised as the First Indian Multinational Insurance and Reinsurance Broking House.
INDIA’S
EMERGING SERVICES
Studie’o7 has over 70 salons in more than 50 Indian cities. Offering a wide range of services, including grooming, haircare, skincare, make-up, and more, this chain of salons has successfully created brand resonance among customers, as it spread its wings in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala.
BIGGER AND BETTER
Studie’o7 salon has approximately 40 franchisees, more than 500 workers, and a committed consumer base. Its skilled estheticians, stylists, and make-up artists offer top-notch hair styling, nail art, skincare and bridal make-up services.
The backbone of this massive success and growth is the founder Mr. Rajesh Kumar who ensures that Studie’o7 is constantly adapting its services to fit changing consumer habits and lifestyles. The chain of salons provides customised services to match customers’ sense of style and an experience to remember in a luxurious ambiance.
The salon is a premium beauty destination to explore the latest styles and trends in the beauty industry. All the franchises of Studie’o7 have a standard interior style and a wide range of best quality and certified salon products to offer consistency in all the locations. Every franchise gets all-round guidance and support from set-up to staff training, marketing and promotions.
Studie’o7 has seized the opportunity to become one of India’s few brands to enter the Metaverse and reach out to the next generation of consumers and clients.
The company believes that beauty is all about technology, experiences and education. To make things easy, Studie’o7 has also introduced a one-of-a-kind salon application available on Android and IOS to help customers make appointments. Its international range of products and exceptional standard of services truly set the salon apart.
For the beauty industry, it is not the question of to have a Metaverse presence or not, but is a question of When and How the brand enters into the virtual world –the opportunity is potentially limitless. The beauty industry currently uses Metaverse to drive employee engagement and learning.
It is about integrating e-commerce into the Metaverse, i.e., browsing and buying real products virtually with store pick-
up and home delivery in the real world. Retailers and beauty brands have to think creatively about experiences that go beyond customer purchases.
MISSION AND VISION
Studie’o7’s mission is to make its customers look their best every single moment. The salon believes in maintaining strong relationships with its stakeholders and provides a growth-oriented culture.
Now, with all of its salons located in South India, the chain plans to expand to other parts of the country. The brand
is already working on this mission, as the Studie’o7 family is burgeoning on a dayto-day basis.
It is also taking steps to establish itself as a global brand. To get things started, the brand has signed a contract with the Malaysian International Hair and Beauty Association.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Studie’o7 has gained much popularity in south India and has been growing bigger. It has got many awards and rankings down the years. In 2017, Studie’o7 opened its first salon in Udumalpet, and is now the salon industry’s fastest-growing chain. Studie’o7 also bagged the India Excellence Awards of 2019 for the best chain of beauty and skincare salons.
In December 2020, the Studie’o7 founder, Rajesh Kumar was also included in the list of South Femina Icons. The Times Now listed Mr. Rajesh Kumar as one of the 10 Dynamic Business Leaders in July 2022 for his Influential and Dynamic Leadership.
STUDIE’O7
THE JOURNEY OF BEAUTY
Based in South India, Studie’o7 Salon is an award-winning salon chain. Mr. Rajesh Kumar K, the Managing Director of Studie’o7, is a dynamic personality who looks beyond the obvious and works hard to offer the best to his clients. Studie’o7 is one of India’s most remarkable beauty brands striving to make each customer feel special
EMERGING
COINOVY
A UNIVERSAL PLATFORM FOR CRYPTOCURRENCY
COINOVY is a digital finance application that stands firm on its credibility and far-sightedness regarding consumers’ expectations and experience. It aims at simplifying fintech by providing digital assets that combine many wallets to send, receive, earn, borrow and convert money under crypto-to-fiat transactions
COINOVY started its services in Estonia and is now available in countries such as the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and India. Furthermore, the company is on its way to obtaining more crypto licenses in countries that are ready to accept and regulate crypto currencies.
A futuristic app, COINOVY is the brainchild of Mr. Saitej, the CEO and the developer of DLT Labz.
A dedicated technologist and successful start-up executive, Mr. Saitej has eight years of experience in digital product management, engineering, and marketing. With considerable experience in a variety of online and offline approaches from diverse backgrounds, he brainstormed with his team, which led to COINOVY.
The digital finance application is a reliable crypto payment wallet and payment processing app focusing on liquidity and security. It provides users the ability to move digital value in any
way they wish, whether using crypto or traditional methods, in an open, secure and uncomplicated environment.
Mr. Saitej, too, has gigantic aspirations for COINOVY, and aims to make it the world’s best crypto-to-fiat (C2F) service provider and pushing digital finance forward.
UNIVERSALISING CRYPTO CURRENCY
COINOVY is a multi-functional crypto currency wallet that attempts to make crypto currencies more accessible to all and sundry.
This platform seeks to ease the resistance for everyone involved in buying, selling, storing, trading, insuring, shopping and withdrawing crypto currency with its user-friendly interface. It makes crypto transactions as easy for newcomers as it is for seasoned users.
COINOVY facilitates seamless financial transfers by bridging the gap between transferring traditional money and digital assets. It supports a decent range of digital assets, including BTC,
ETH and LTC, eliminating the need for users to keep their assets in numerous wallets.
What catches the eye is the COINOVY’s ability to effectuate C2F transactions. Users may easily transfer their crypto assets from their COINOVY wallet to a global MasterCard debit card and spend anywhere. This debit card can also be linked to Apple Pay, making crypto purchases even more convenient.
CONTRIBUTING TO THE WORLD OF GLOBAL FINTECH
Aside from being a crypto wallet, COINOVY is a crypto exchange with over 100 exchange pairings and global liquidity from six major suppliers, allowing users to effortlessly swap their preferred tokens.
Users can transfer their tokens and change them into any currency they want using COINOVY wallets.
More than 19 currencies are supported by the wallet. Users of COINOVY are also given an International Bank Account Number (IBAN), which allows them to send money to over 150 countries around the world.
COINOVY has collaborated with BitGo to insure and pay users in the event of a security breach to fund security.
Crypto Shop, a distinct feature of the app, allows users to liquidate their holdings under 60 seconds without relying on crypto exchanges, peer-topeer exchanges, or over-the-counter (OTC) transactions.
A valuable mix of technology, exchangeability, wallet solutions and C2F transactions, it offers eight more bonus features.
The young founders of COINOVY believe that the benefits of crypto currencies should not be confined to any particular section of people; that is why they have been working consistently for the mainstream adoption of this groundbreaking app.
EMERGING SERVICES
tarted by Major Gaurav Kundu, Tiranga Logistics is a brand that stands for honesty, transparency, and goodwill. An Ex-Army Major and IIM(A) alumnus, Mr. Kundu served in the Indian Army for years before beginning his professional journey in the private sector. He is an experienced consumer service professional with a demonstrated history of outstanding work. He has worked across supply chain management, operations management, emergency management, intelligence, and military affairs.
BUILDING A BRAND
Tiranga Logistics now serves over 33 locations, and operates fleet of more than 1200 vehicle for end-to-end, customised, and highly reliable logistic services. The USP of the company is its focus on technology-driven solutions and complete transparency of all processes.
The firm started with some core principles, and the leadership has ensured that the company stands determined on these principles. The aim to operate as India’s most trusted logistics service provider, with a range of logistics services ranging from FTL, PTL, and warehousing, to long-haul, middlemile, and last-mile distribution solutions to clients on a pan-India basis.
The well-rounded client list of Tiranga Logistics includes some of the biggest multinational brands such as Amazon, PepsiCo, Reliance, Tata Motors, and TCI. Mr. Kundu has ensured that he runs a tight ship at Tiranga Logistics, where the latest technology is always embraced without letting go of its core traditions and principles. It is a testament to boundless growth while being firmly grounded. The company’s customercentric approach is highly appreciated in the industry and is a reason for its rapid growth in a crowded and fiercely competitive sector.
Customised, secure, professional, and cost-effective services; the highest level of corporate governance; simple and result-oriented mindset; and regard for what the customer needs, set Tiranga Logistics apart from other companies in the industry.
In a market overflowing with service providers, it is not easy to carve a niche for oneself in such a short period. The company provides seamless services to its clients. From Pathankot in the North
to Tirunelveli in the South, and from Kutch in the West to Lunglei in the East, Tiranga Logistics has been flying high.
THE TRUST FACTOR
The organisation strengthens its excellent service record with multiple accreditations such as ISO 9001:2015, TAPA, IBA, and FSSAI. It is also a recognised start-up registered with the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, the Government of India.
During the pandemic, the company developed in-house operations, finance
and tracking technology. As a result, it is perhaps the only business entity with a USD 30 million turnover without equity dilution. This entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving attitude of the entire workforce at Tiranga Logistics has made it one of the most awarded logistics companies of the year.
Tiranga Logistics was named the Business Enterprise of the Year 2021 at the Dun & Bradstreet Business Enterprises of Tomorrow Awards. The same year, it was named the Best Enterprise of the Year (Transportation) by the India Business Awards. Indian Achievers’ Forum also recognised the company as the Promising MSME for 2021-22. In addition, Mr. Kundu and Tiranga Logistics were awarded at the Alden Global Awards 2019. The recognition and acknowledgment that Tiranga Logistics receives is a strong testimony to the fact that its principles, methods, and approach are up to the mark. The passion of the leader is bearing fruit, and the journey is only beginning.
TIRANGA LOGISTICS
MAKING LOGISTICS SIMPLE
Major Gaurav Kundu started Tiranga Logistics in 2017. Initially started as a pointto-point full truckload logistics service provider, it has gradually evolved into an end-to-end logistics services company. Today, the company is a renowned name with a proven track record of excellent service
EMERGING
FINANCE
TECHURATE SYSTEMS
PROVIDING SMART BANKING SOLUTIONS
The rise of technology has made it easy to offer banking solutions to many people. Still, several individuals and institutions are underserved. Therefore, Techurate Systems Private Limited is offering intelligent banking solutions to bridge this gap
Banking is one of those sectors that has been completely overhauled in the last decade. What used to take hours can now be done in a few minutes. What used to take up huge space can now be done virtually using cloud computing. The credit for these developments can be given to tech companies in pushing the envelope forward with each passing day. Techurate Systems is one such global smart banking technology company functioning in many countries. Its head office and technology centre are located in the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore, while its global sales office is located in Dubai, UAE.
SMART OMNI BY TECHURATE
Techurate offers a holistic digital financial services suite, which is scalable, secure, and smart. It makes it outshine other companies in the market. Today’s discerning customer is consuming digital channels in multiple ways. Realizing this, Techurate offers a seamless banking
experience called the Smart Omni across all channels such as mobile, web, wearables, voice banking, ATM/Kiosk, and even USSD. The main focus of providing banking services through these channels is on providing user-friendly interface, quick payment features, and hassle-free services — all of them within a secure environment.
CLIENTELE ACROSS THE GLOBE
Since the inception of the company in 2015, its founder Harshavardhan Pusala has been clear about the goals for its clientele. Historically, the African banking industry was underserved by big banks and other institutions. But Techurate changed that trend by providing an array of banking solutions. The firm has been present in the African market for the past 7 years now. It has successfully positioned itself as a fully-integrated service provider that offers a hybrid model of on-premise licensing route and cloud-based subscription methods of service delivery. After enabling financial inclusion in one geography, the
management at Techurate then decided to serve other markets. Today, the company is operating in 4 major global territories of India, GCC, LATAM, and Africa. The list of Techurate’s clientele is getting longer by the day. The company has empowered well-known institutions such as New Finance Bank Malawi, Premier Service Medical Aid Society, National Building Society, PayGo, FBC Holdings Limited, Zanaco, and Indo Zambia Bank, among others. It takes a big budget and the expertise of fintech to digitalize banking processes. Often, cooperative banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs) have neither expertise nor the budget for that. Techurate realizes this and is now planning to reach out to these institutions to help them get onboarded to the digital platform.
TAKING BOLD STEPS
Most cooperative banks and MFIs have a limited business scope in terms of geography or the number of customers. For these reasons, institutions hesitate to help these small financial institutions in their digital transformation. As a result, a huge unbanked population is still waiting for their turn to enter the digital economy. The market of small financial institutions is still untested. But Techurate is ready to take bold steps and work with underserved banking institutions. The company has gained considerable experience in Africa and is now ready to apply that experience in the Indian market. In fact, it has partnered with various small banks and financial institutions in rural areas to expand its reach. It even launched a Smart Branch in India in 2022 to automate all the middle and back-end processes such as E-KYC, fund transfers, bill payments, etc. A bootstrapped venture, Techurate is profitable from the first year of its product development. It is seeing a whopping 50% annual growth in terms of revenue in a market that many big players crowd. At this pace, Techurate will soon reach its goal of banking the unbanked population.
EMERGING
aswiz, a leading firm in the world of direct selling, has been introducing qualitydefining products that push it further among the top names in the industry. This strategic growth of the organization aligns with its vision to be a global e-commerce frontrunner. Naswiz is now on the verge of expanding its reach into a broader and more robust supply chain as it begins its journey outside India.
A MULTIFACETED ORGANIZATION
Naswiz is a renowned name in the marketing industry. The reason behind this success is its ever-growing suite of products. Whether personal care or electronics, herbal products or apparel, lifestyle or agriculture, Naswiz has launched quality products in multiple industries, making it one of the most successful direct selling companies in India.
The organization believes that the world keeps changing and that’s what it also aims to inherit by introducing new products every now and then.
Dedicated to providing only the best, Naswiz ensures that all its products are natural, pure, and genuine. Each product is handpicked and manufactured with a standardized process, resulting in premium offerings.
Naswiz has expanded its catalog based on people’s needs. For instance, the organization offers Covid-19 protection products such as masks and sanitizers.
Some other popular product ranges of Naswiz are apparel, leather accessories, color cosmetics, housekeeping products, skin care products, food supplements, and so on. All these products are shipped to all the major cities, making it a national brand.
GROWING WITH CUSTOMERS
An extensive product catalog is just one part of Naswiz’s remarkable success. The other crucial part is its relationship with the customers. In an attempt to further it, the organization offers a flexible and easy way of work.
There is no monthly target and no stress of working extra hours for the people connected with the organization.
Naswiz’s way of work has a simple philosophy: Its growth is directly proportional to its customers’ growth.
The organization does so by enabling its customers to become financially strong.
As a result, it ultimately empowers the customers, and they can live better and more prosperous lives.
STRIVING AHEAD WITH THE TEAM
If there is one thing that has won Naswiz national accolades, it is none other than its incredible work culture. The organization nurtures a growthcentric and pleasant environment for its employees.
Team motivation is a crucial goal at Naswiz as they understand the importance of healthy work culture.
To ensure this, the organization does not miss any opportunity to celebrate special moments with its team. Thus, from Indian festivals to personal achievements, nothing goes without a proper celebration. Naswiz is also known for organizing domestic and foreign trips for its associates to instil personal bonding and motivation.
For its employee-centric policies, Naswiz was also certified as the Best Company to Work For in 2022 by Business Connect. In addition, the company was recognized for its continuous efforts to provide excellent work culture for its employees.
Naswiz has also been awarded The Best Marketing Company of the year 2022 by Network Marketing Awards 2022.
While this is a remarkable milestone for the firm, Naswiz is not ready to stop here. With its latest products like PhytoWiz, the organization is touching the foreign shores in the US, Canada, the UAE, and Africa.
NASWIZ
DIRECT, EXCELLENT, AND DEDICATED
For the past 18 years, Naswiz has been proving its mettle by offering a wide range of superior health, beauty, lifestyle, and agro-based products. This growth has not been in isolation and the company’s direct selling schemes have benefitted its customers financially
CISCO INDIA
CONNECTING THE WORLD DIGITALLY
Launched in India in 1995, Cisco is riding on the success wave of its innovative and technologically advanced products in the fields ranging from Home Networking to IP Telephony to Network Security, and has emerged as the global leader in the field of networking
Starting as the primary innovators of the idea to use LAN for connecting computers spread across the world using a multiprotocol router system, Cisco now stands as the largest networking company.
LEADING BY INNOVATION
The unending trail of modernization continues not only with the development of top-of-the-line products in the basic fields of routing and switching, but also in technological advancement of Home and Storage Networking, IP Telephony, Optical and Network Security and Wireless LAN.
Since its establishment in India a couple of decades ago, Cisco has progressively improved upon its presence in India and has grown steadily, setting up 7 offices with the current workforce aggregating in excess of 10,000 engaged in sales, R&D and support staff. Cisco has focused not only on training and improvement
of individuals but has also created an environment in which the employees blend together to form robust and resultoriented teams of incomparable quality.
A GLOBAL PROBLEM SOLVER
Since the very beginning and development of computer networking systems, malware in encrypted traffic has remained the biggest challenge for the network security. Cisco, being the pioneers in the field of digital networking, took it upon themselves and successfully resolved the riddle without affecting the privacy of individual data.
With a commitment towards their motto of “connecting everything, innovating everywhere and benefitting everyone”, Cisco has envisioned to impact one billion people by the year 2025. Through its superiority in the field of digital technology, Cisco has been helping a wide range of businesses to grow and achieve outstanding results.
A few of its prestigious clients include NASDAQ, Huntington Bank and Baptist
Health. Cisco has also been involved in simplifying and managing IT assets, improving the performance and efficacy of the products and helping IT work unswervingly, proficiently and securely through their world-class technical support and advanced services.
Apart from profit making and other business endeavours, Cisco India is also involved in producing a large number of benchmark-capable professionals keeping in mind the future needs and requirements of the industry, and therefore is currently training in excess of 25,000 students in its 176 networking academies in India to raise them as future professionals and the backbone of the industry.
A RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE PARTNER
Cisco has been using a certified Environmental Management System through continuous improvement in their products and conservation of natural resources, thereby working to preserve biological cycles of the earth. Cisco has also been participating in multiple economic development programs for the underprivileged across the globe. The company has been felicitated with Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
The unflinching focus and tireless efforts have resulted in multiple awards and accolades for Cisco. Cisco ASR 901 router architectured by the engineering team in India was awarded the NASSCOM Innovation Award.
In the year 2020, Cisco India won Silver Stevie Award for Excellence in Innovation in Technology Industries for their Customer Master Data Management and Governance. In addition to this, it has been ranked no.1 Best Place to Work in India for the year 2022 by Great Places to Work (GPTW) Institute.
CISCO INDIA
CONNECTING THE WORLD DIGITALLY
Launched in India in 1995, Cisco is riding on the success wave of its innovative and technologically advanced products in the fields ranging from Home Networking to IP Telephony to Network Security, and has emerged as the global leader in the field of networking
Starting as the primary innovators of the idea to use LAN for connecting computers spread across the world using a multiprotocol router system, Cisco now stands as the largest networking company.
LEADING BY INNOVATION
The unending trail of modernisation continues not only with the development of top-of-the-line products in the basic fields of routing and switching, but also in technological advancement of Home and Storage Networking, IP Telephony, Optical and Network Security and Wireless LAN.
Since its establishment in India a couple of decades ago, Cisco has progressively improved upon its presence in India and has grown steadily, setting up 7 offices with the current workforce aggregating in excess of 10,000 engaged in sales, R&D and support staff. Cisco has focused not only on training and improvement
of individuals, but has also created an environment in which the employees blend together to form robust and resultoriented teams of incomparable quality.
A GLOBAL PROBLEM SOLVER
Since the very beginning and development of computer networking systems, malware in encrypted traffic has remained the biggest challenge for the network security. Cisco, being the pioneers in the field of digital networking, took it upon themselves and successfully resolved the riddle without affecting the privacy of individual data.
With a commitment towards their motto of “connecting everything, innovating everywhere and benefitting everyone”, Cisco has envisioned to impact one billion people by the year 2025. Through its superiority in the field of digital technology, Cisco has been helping a wide range of businesses to grow and achieve outstanding results.
A few of its prestigious clients include NASDAQ, Huntington Bank and Baptist
Health. Cisco has also been involved in simplifying and managing IT assets, improving the performance and efficacy of the products and helping IT work unswervingly, proficiently and securely through their world-class technical support and advanced services.
Apart from profit making and other business endeavours, Cisco India is also involved in producing a large number of benchmark-capable professionals keeping in mind the future needs and requirements of the industry, and therefore is currently training in excess of 25,000 students in its 176 networking academies in India to raise them as future professionals and the backbone of the industry.
A RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE PARTNER
Cisco has been using a certified Environmental Management System through continuous improvement in their products and conservation of natural resources, thereby working to preserve biological cycles of the earth. Cisco has also been participating in multiple economic development programs for the underprivileged across the globe. The company has been felicitated with Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
The unflinching focus and tireless efforts have resulted in multiple awards and accolades for Cisco. Cisco ASR 901 router architectured by the engineering team in India was awarded the NASSCOM Innovation Award.
In 2020, Cisco India won Silver Stevie Award for Excellence in Innovation in Technology Industries for their Customer Master Data Management and Governance. In addition, it has been ranked no.1 Best Place to Work in India for the year 2022 by Great Places to Work Institute.
EMERGING
ounded in 2010, Ekta Contech has sworn to authenticity, and the projects undertaken by the company in the past decade are its living proof. It has revolutionised the current infrastructure of Ranchi through sustainable buildings.
The organisation values its client’s needs while designing and developing residential and commercial spaces. It has integrated innovation, sustainability, and quality to develop green buildings. Its vision is to improve quality of life, conserve natural resources, and increase public involvement in real estate investments. It is the dedication, vision, and grit of the company’s leader, Mr. Prince Raj Srivastava, that the company has reached the pinnacle of success in the past few years with its outstanding performance.
FOSTERING VALUES WITH INNOVATION
The idea of curating projects according to the client’s needs has helped Ekta Contech make a mark in the country. The company offers spaces that are inviting as well as sustainable, and are available at exceptional value for money.
Since its inception, the real estate company has risen remarkably through the hard work of its dedicated experts. Its team of bright, innovative minds has completed over 40 notable projects in the last decade. Their “Go Green” approach has made them the pioneers in sustainable construction.
With a zero-waste policy, the company has carved its niche using renewable and recycled materials, creating a greener environment. This has helped the company venture into the ‘green market’ with its ‘Green Building’ approach. It aims to reduce carbon emissions by using green, eco-friendly materials in its projects.
ACTION-ORIENTED APPROACH
In a world of depleting resources and over-polluted cities, Ekta Contech has turned the tables by using eco-friendly materials. Using renewable, microbialresistant resources also adds to sustainability that benefits nature.
The company has qualified and dedicated in-house designers, who are among the first ones in the country to develop proper waste management systems, smart lighting, rooftop rainwater harvesting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, porous paving systems, and other eco-
friendly measures.
Ekta Contech has made an impact all over the country with its team of over 200 professionals creating sustainable living spaces. The company has expanded to an area of over 2.5 million square feet across the country, and will cross over 7 million square feet of area with its upcoming projects.
AN ASSET-BUILDING CHAIN
Under the leadership of Mr. Prince Raj Srivastava, Ekta Contech has launched the “A Roof for All” social initiative.
The initiative is aimed at providing free homes to deserving individuals. It is Mr. Srivastava’s vision to make real estate accessible to all.
The programme, A Roof for All, aims to bring the necessary balance between the haves and have-nots in society in case of housing. The company has set aside 10% of its profit towards building homes under the program.
The social initiative has helped Ekta Contech establish long-lasting relationships with all its clients. Through such initiatives, the company’s vision is to cause a transition from what one sees as a money-driven business to an assetbuilding chain for people.
RECOGNITION
Ekta Contech’s quality work has been regarded as phenomenal by the country’s print media and premium news channels. The company and its projects have been featured in Dainik Jagran, Hindustan Times, Zee News, News 24, The Print, Lokmat Times, and ANI
EKTA CONTECH
TURNING DREAMS INTO REALITY
Ekta Contech Private Limited is a one-stop solution when it comes to creating a comfortable space for your family. Its vision to build happy, well-facilitated living spaces has made it a go-to name in the industry. With sustainability as its core, the real estate company has added value to its long-lasting relationships with clients
WORLD’S GREATEST BRAND 2023
FOOD & BEVERAGES
SANKALP GROUP
CELEBRATING INDIAN CUISINE, CULTURE, AND ARCHITECTURE
Founded in 1980 by the visionary Dr. Kailash Goenka, Ph.D., Sankalp Group today has established itself as a conglomerate with interests in hospitality, packaged foods, manufacturing and distribution, exports, logistics, hoteliering, real estate, and digital marketing solutions
Sankalp Group established its glorious legacy in the culinary domain through its first flagship restaurant on Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, in 1980. Headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the Group today has more than 200 restaurants.
The brand Sankalp is famous for South Indian cuisine, while its Sam’s Pizza, introduced in 1990, is a Pizzeria & Salad Bar restaurant. Saffron, the third brand started in 2001, has become synonymous with authentic vegetarian barbecue and North Indian cuisine.
In 2010, the Group ventured into the hospitality sector by launching the international hotel brand, Ramada, in Ahmedabad. Since then, the Group has been growing in the real estate sector, adding more properties to its plate with the Taj Hotel in Ahmedabad and Ramada at the Statue of Unity in 2019.
The Group’s rich legacy, coupled with the leader’s knowledge of infrastructure, and good business acumen, has resulted
in various large-scale, commercial, and residential projects in Ahmedabad.
Sankalp Packaged Foods (SPF), launched in 2015, is a stand-alone division specifically designed to cater to the growing demand for ready-to-cook meals. Sankalp is certified by FSSAI, Government of India, USFDA and GMP. In addition, the company is accredited with ISO 22000 and ISO 9001 and HALAL, which places it at the highest benchmark in terms of quality assurance for gourmet, ready to eat, heat and eat, frozen foods, and instant mixes.
The Group exports an extensive range of packaged food products to the USA, Canada, the UK, the UAE, and Australia. It has branched out into digital marketing under Sankalp Digital Solution, which provides bespoke digital marketing services such as performance marketing, social media management, SEO, P.P.C. and more to optimize business growth.
PHILOSOPHY AND PRINCIPLES
Sankalp Group is considered as one of
the fastest-growing companies in India, and is bound to become a major player in India’s economic scenario.
Apart from India, it has a strong presence in countries like Canada, the UK, the USA, Australia, Germany, Singapore and Malaysia, Thailand, and the UAE. The Group considers its ethical business practices a top priority at every step while delivering an unmatched experience to its stakeholders and customers. Under Dr. Kailash Goenka’s sheer dynamism, vision, single-minded dedication, continuous learning, and passion, Sankalp Group has grown from strength to strength and earned immense goodwill. It incorporates all the aspects of Sankalp, which stands for resolve and determination to shape something that lasts for years. It strives with a mission to repeatedly offer value addition in all spheres to earn patrons’ loyalty.
AN EVER-GROWING BOND OF TRUST
Brand Sankalp is committed to creating an unmatched experience by maintaining the highest standards of quality, hygiene, service, and customer satisfaction. This attribute has made its presence felt worldwide. As a result, its retail brands have an international appeal that is set to grow. With tremendous growth potential across India and abroad, Dr. Kailash Goenka, Ph.D., envisions opening more than 500 restaurants by the end of 2025.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Sankalp Group has been awarded multiple awards and accolades, including ‘The Guinness Book of World Records 2006,’ ‘Harrow Times UK 2012,’ ‘11th Award for Excellence 2013,’ ‘Times Food Award 2016,’ and ‘Coca-Cola Golden Spoon Award 2017.’ Sankalp Restaurant was awarded as ‘Iconic Chain of Restaurants of India’ by MidDay International in Dubai in 2021. Ramada Ahmedabad was awarded the Best 4 Star Hotel for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021.
nder the leadership of its Managing Director Mr. Arif Fazlani, the Mumbai-based company has achieved remarkable success and growth and created some of the most glamorous residences across the city.
The Group in aggregate holds 143 acres agricultural land at Takwe, Pune and 2,50,000 sq.ft area in Mumbai including residential as well as commercial projects.
THE LANDMARK PROJECTS
The iconic projects by Fazlani Realty include Ismail Building also known as ZARA Store at Flora Fountain; the Third Largest Store in The World and Largest in Asia, Luxury Health & Wellness Resort Fazlani Nature’s Nest at Lonavala (awarded TripAdvisor travellers’ choice in 2022 & Global Spa award 2022), Goldman Sachs India Head-office at Prabhadevi, Qasr-E-Aisha - Ultra-High Residential Project at Mumbai Central, Fazlani Food at Mahape, Navi Mumbai (one of the most advance food-processing plants).
BACKED BY AN EXPERIENCED TEAM
The full-service real-estate development company boasts a talented team with extensive experience in all aspects of property development. Their experience in working with a variety of stakeholders and navigating the approval process ensures that any project they take on will be completed successfully and on time. Furthermore, open communication among team members enables the company to successfully acquire, finance, develop, sell, and manage the most complex real estate development projects.
The restored Ismail Building is now one of the most glorious landmarks of the historically significant Flora Fountain neighbourhood of Mumbai. The company is recognised for its quality construction, ethical and transparent business practices, and high standards of maintenance of properties. The core objective of Fazlani Realty is to create a real estate development business that offers world-class property development skills while maximizing financial returns. The company’s mission as a real estate development company is “to delight customers by providing quality life spaces through continuous innovations”.
DRIVEN BY VALUES
Fazlani Realty adheres to the values of
quality, choice, and delivery. Besides providing impeccable customer service and delivering world-class services, it offers a wide range of choices, and ensures timely delivery. A key component of the company’s success is its partnership with world-class architects, designers, and consultants.
A hallmark of the company’s iconic projects is that they are specially designed to create both value and splendour. The firm seeks to combine both aesthetic and functional elements to add value to its residential and commercial projects.
In addition, it consistently focuses on quality craftsmanship, durable materials, and attention to detail to win the heart of buyers and investors.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
The Honorable Governor, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari honoured Mr Fazlani with the “Indian Industry Excellence Award for Ismail Building – Zara Store”, Fazlani Group, Legendary Landmark Heritage of Mumbai.
Fazlani Realty was awarded with the prestigious “Economic Times Real Estate Awards 2022” in three categories for the Zara Store, Ismail Building, namely “Retail Commercial Project of the Year”, “Iconic Project of the Year”, and “EnvironmentFriendly Project of the Year”. The organisation was also felicitated with the prestigious “Real Estate Awards 2022” by CNBC Awaaz in two categories of “UltraHigh Luxury Residential Project of the Year” for Qasr-E Aisha (Mumbai Central) and “Premium Retail Property of the Year” for Ismail Building, the Zara Store.
FAZLANI REALTY
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
Fazlani Realty is the real-estate arm of the renowned Fazlani Group. Known for its luxury residences, hospitality, and mixed-use properties. It is transforming Mumbai’s skyline over the last few years and has now set its sights on becoming a market leader
ASIA’S GREATEST BRAND 2023
FOOD & BEVERAGES
SOM DISTILLERIES & BREWERIES LIMITED
CREATING A MARK IN THE ALCO-BEVERAGES SECTOR
From a small white label-bottling unit in the mid-80s, SOM Group has grown into a significant player in the Indian alco-beverages industry. SOM Distilleries and Breweries Limited is a part of the multi-faceted SOM Group of Companies. The group has established itself as one of the largest businesses in India in this domain
SOM Distilleries & Breweries Limited was established in 1993 to manufacture beer and Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) products in India and globally. SOM Group runs five facilities comprising breweries, distillery, and ancillary industries with a nationwide distribution system. Providing the finest quality brands to its customers has made the Group a renowned name in the industry. The firm considers diversity a crucial element in fulfilling its goal of generating long-term value for its stakeholders. It has accomplished a market niche with economical prices for its customers without sacrificing on quality.
SURPASSING EXPECTATIONS
With three decades of dedication and hardship, the group has flourished by fulfilling its customer’s needs and adhering to its belief in offering passionate products of consistent quality. The organization manufactures a wide range of beers under brand names such as Hunter, Black Fort,
Power Cool, and Woodpecker, and its sales provide insight into consumer acceptance of the brands. With its robust yet smooth taste, Hunter has stood out in the strong beer market, has become a customer favorite, and helped the group reach its zenith. The group manufactures whisky brands, namely, Pentagon, Milestone, and Legend. White Fox vodka, Black Fort Rum, Legend brandy, and ready-to-drink alcopops like White Fox Naughty Orange, Cosmo Cranberry, Passion Fruit and Tangy Lemon are a few other offerings by the company. Additionally, IMFL products are manufactured under the names Genius, Sunny, Gypsy, and Blue Chip.
ENSURING
ITS STRONG PRESENCE
SOM Group has established its footprint in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Kerala, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, and the northeast in India. It is also sold in the USA, Singapore, and the Scandinavian countries. Its brands resonate in the minds of consumers as high-energy brands. The group strives to raise the caliber of its
goods without compromising on the taste and quality by continuously engaging with stakeholders and conducting research on regional and global industry trends and developments.
BOOSTING ITS MARKET POSITION
Under the aegis of Chairman and Managing Director Mr. J K Arora, SOM Group takes pride in delivering high-quality, valueadded products. Post-pandemic, the group is expanding capacities at its manufacturing facilities. This has been done as the Karnataka unit is already running at 100% capacity. Before the pandemic, the group’s market share was 3.5%; it reached 15% this year; and it is eyeing a market share of 25% in the near future in Karnataka. Similarly, for bigger market share in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the group is expanding its capacity at the Bhopal plant. The new unit in Odisha has successfully captured the market with 100% utilisation in the peak season. The group bought a struggling brewery in Odisha and recapitalised it with a successful turnaround.
FOCUS ON SOCIETY AND QUALITY
SOM Group strongly believes in giving back to society. It regularly organises health camps, blood donation drives, running educational institutions for the underprivileged, and initiatives for protecting the environment. It has been honoured with many awards and accolades. Its Milestone 100 Whiskey received Best Product Debut at SPIRITZ Awards in May 2014. It got the Gold award at Monde Selection Quality Awards, while White Fox and Hunter bagged Silver awards. The company was chosen as one of the Fastest Growing Companies by INDSPIRIT 2014, and received one of the 30 Most Innovative CEOs of 2014 Award by Inc. Innovative 100 Awards. It was featured in the Forbes Top 200 best under billion sales in Asia Pacific and ranked 86th in the list of fastest growing mid-sized companies in India by Inc. India 500.
EMERGING
ith more than 20 years of experience in the real estate industry, the Gillco Group has a renowned legacy. It builds houses and cultivates relationships, trust, and an understanding that benefits both the owner and the builder in particular ways. It also stands out from the crowd of other real estate developers due to its philosophy of “building spaces that matter.” The company aims to create a greener, more sustainable way of life. Gillco Group was established in 2001 by the visionary first-generation entrepreneur Mr. Ranjit Singh Gill in the tricity area of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. It has so far completed 14 projects in Mohali.
VISION AND MISSION
Mr. Tejpreet Singh Gill, MD, Gillco Group, is a second-generation entrepreneur who is carrying Gillco’s rich legacy forward. Through his able leadership the group aims to transform the landscape of the Kharar/ Mohali region by delivering landmark projects. He believes that real estate is much more than just building the general structures. The developers have the social responsibility of contributing towards a progressive India. The group not only aspires to create spaces that enhance the quality of life and ensure customer satisfaction, but also aims to become a trusted leader in the sector known for its quality. Transparency is central to its values that aim to set the highest professional and ethical standards.
INITIATIVES AND PLANS
In the recent, difficult years, the real estate developer served as a refuge for those who suffered significant losses due to COVID-19 pandemic. Its Gillco Palms initiative helped people in need reclaim their jobs and homes. The project has two-bedroom homes that are affordable and exquisite. The project got underway in March 2021.
The thoughtful act received an enormous response. Half of the numbers of homes under the project were sold out within six to eight months. Gillco Group has invested in three active projects and finished and delivered over 14 projects. Its brand-new residential development project is to be launched in 2023. For this project, the company contacted famous international real estate specialists for conceptualisation. This will led to outstanding infrastructure of the level seen in Singapore and Dubai.
CONTRIBUTION AND ACCOLADES
Gillco Group has upheld its reputation as a pioneer by incorporating innovation and sustainability in its projects. Once a little satellite town of the Punjabi state, Mohali has today transformed into a bustling economic hub, an industrial-boom town, and a centre for cultural knowledge. This shift came with the support of Gillco Group, as it was the first to start structured real estate development projects in the city. The company is recognised for its exceptional work and contribution to the real estate sector. It has consolidated its position after
receiving accolades such as The Coveted Builder of the Year by HT 2006–2010 and a Business Wizard Award (North) from the Chief Minister of Punjab for completing roughly 5,000 commercial and residential units. Through dependable infrastructure, Mr. Ranjit Singh Gill has turned the business into a lasting legacy for the people of Punjab. In 2022, the Hindustan Times recognised the Gillco Group as the “Real Estate Developer of the Year 2022.” It was recently covered by the Forbes India magazine. The Gillco International School has been named “Punjab’s Best Career Counselling Leader” by Education World Grand Jury India School Rankings 2021–2022. It also ranks first in Mohali and tenth in India. The Hindustan Times also recognised Gillco International School as Tricity’s Most Promising School. The MD of the Gillco Group, Mr. Tejpreet Gill, is a next generation entrepreneur, whose zeal has earned the business many awards and laurels. His recent accolades include “Young Entrepreneur in Real Estate” award from My FM.
GILLCO GROUP
A TRENDSETTER IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY
Gillco Group is on a quest to transform the real estate industry with uncompromising dedication and innovation. With a range of trustworthy solutions for every buyer, it has gained the confidence and respect of its clients. The group has provided reliable infrastructure for over 20 years and is the model for sustainable development
HEALTHCARE
ASIAN SPECIALISED HOSPITAL & DIAGNOSTIC CENTER
EXCEPTIONAL TECHNOLOGY, EXTRAORDINARY CARE
The first digital hospital in Chattogram, Bangladesh, the Asian Specialised Hospital & Diagnostic Center was founded by Lion Salauddin Ali to treat people infected by COVID-19. The use of technology made treatment affordable and easier. Today, it aims to improve the health of people by setting excellent standards in patient care
sian Specialised Hospital & Diagnostic Center is a newly constructed hospital catering to those in the port city of Chittagong and its adjoining areas. Mr. Ali chose the location of the hospital to facilitate quality medical care for all. The fourstorey hospital, designed by a wellknown consultant from Chattel, is the most active site of the city today.
Developed in less than five years, the hospital has the latest technology and facilities that make the treatments more effective and quicker for patients. Each material and instrument used in the hospital has been thoughtfully selected to ensure best treatment at an economical cost.
The Asian Specialised Hospital & Diagnostic Center has 100 patient beds with one ICU bed, three CCU beds, 12 NICU beds, a dialysis unit, and a daycare facility. In addition, it has a 24hour pharmacy and ambulance facility to help the patients in time. The teams
of expert medical professionals provide comprehensive healthcare using the latest medical, surgical, and diagnostic facilities. The Board of Directors of the hospital supports all the physicians and other healthcare professionals, and encourages them to uphold humanity above everything. A dedicated team of doctors manages the daily activities at the hospital, develop and plan growth strategies, and supervise Sidra Medicine, a Qatar-based state-of-the-art facility for women’s and children’s healthcare.
TO HEAR AND HELP
The hospital’s Founder, Lion Saluddin Ali, wishes to transform Chittagong’s medical sector with this hospital through its people’s patient-first approach. The doctors and nurses ensure the wellbeing of every patient coming to the hospital. They work sincerely to make the hospital world’s pre-eminent healthcare institution by providing quality care and assistance in preventing, diagnosing, and treating human illness.
All the facilities and amenities offered at the Asian Specialised Hospital & Diagnostic Center promote solace and quality patient care.
During the pandemic, the COVID-19 norms led to much trouble for travellers in Bangladesh. To bring ease to them, Mr. Ali took some significant steps. The hospital provided the general RTPCR report within 12-16 hours and the standard report in maximum 7 hours. The VIP RT-PCR report was provided within 3 hours. All the efforts taken during the difficult period helped the passengers and the general public to travel hasslefree. Even today, the hospital staff is committed to help those affected by the pandemic with best dedicated healthcare facilities and services.
The Asian Specialised Hospital & Diagnostic Center handles all the COVID-19 related issues in the best possible way. In addition, it is involved in bringing a positive change in the lives of less fortunate people by regularly distributing food among underprivileged children. Led by the strong belief in giving back to society, the whole hospital team not only works for individual growth, but also for the betterment of the country.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
The dedication and efforts of the doctors and the other hospital staff have brought many laurels to the hospital. The BIZZ HYBRID Awards 2021, held in Doha, felicitated Asian Specialised Hospital & Diagnostic Center (RT-PCR Lab) for its exceptional work during the pandemic.
The Chief Executive Officer of Asian Specialised Hospital & Diagnostic Center, Lion Salauddin Ali, was honoured with the World Bizz Award at the World Confederation of Businesses for the key work done as the hospital’s Managing Director. The Hathazari Players Association also felicitated him for his leadership and positively impacting several lives in the past few years.
EMERGING
ith its specialization in constructing and maintaining roads and highways, Innovinc Aspire Infratech Solutions Private Limited has emerged as India’s most dynamic developer and toll infrastructure provider. The firm went through transilience to pioneer infrastructure development for the Government of India’s projects and specialized highways to EPC projects.
WHARBINGERS OF EXCELLENCE
The company used the new-age road asset development and operation methods like Build Operate Transfer (BOT) (Toll) and BOT (Annuity) initially. It garnered immense success for the firm. In addition, with the introduction of the Toll-OperateTransfer (TOT) model, operational asset monetization approaches have recently gained popularity. The NHAI is looking into Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), TOT, and the securitization of toll revenue. TOT has already been deployed.
Innovinc Aspire Infratech also facilitates highway construction, project facilities, toll operations, road maintenance, toll construction, TMS and ATMS, and EPC Project Toll Collection Agencies. It effectively controls and manages the establishment of tollcomputerized system integration for efficient regulation of traffic management systems on highways. It also oversees the administration of truck weigh-in-motion and toll weighing systems.
In addition, the firm performs other significant tasks, such as administering smooth and swift work in toll payment operations, lane management services, and report and safety management services at toll plazas. It ensures highway maintenance with a highway asset management system and integrates public-sector decisions.
A BLEND OF TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY IDEOLOGIES
The firm strives to blend technology and construction aesthetics with an eye on providing the best road infrastructure and management systems for urban and rural environments. It is emerging as a trailblazer in the industry with a considerable experience of over 70 years and the implementation of contemporary methodologies, management techniques, state-of-the-art equipment, and cuttingedge tools.
The company is led by passionate founders who aim to break the limitations and not be confined to any particular region. That is why they have been working consistently for mainstream better infrastructure, adopting safety solutions, promoting sustainability, and augmenting existing sources of finance for future generations. To attain this, the firm supports green initiatives and e-mobility.
ADHERENCE TO GLOBAL STANDARDS
Innovinc Aspire Infratech Solutions
Private Limited has expanded its horizons
by incorporating The Renewable Energy Solutions Private Limited for a sustainable future. With an exceptional progress rate, it assembles, fabricates, and deals mainly in lithium-ion batteries and other solar energy systems. The organisation adheres to international quality standards (ISO 9001: 2015) and takes pride in achieving ISO certification for its companies.
MISSION FOR THE FUTURE
Innovinc Aspire has plans to provide solutions for end-to-end infrastructure implementation and renewable energy resources by 2025. Additionally, it focuses on being at the forefront of the growth strategy of firms while staying updated with new developments in technology and innovations. With many completed and ongoing projects, it has established its footprints in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It is now focusing on growing three times on average every year and constantly striving to improve its business in infrastructure and construction parameters to achieve it.
INNOVINC ASPIRE INFRATECH SOLUTIONS
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
Innovinc Aspire Infratech Solutions Private Limited is an ISO-certified corporation launched in 2018 by Mr. Harish Poojari and Mr. Prasad Gupte. The company has established its reputation as an excellence-driven and top-quality corporation in India and shot to fame quickly
EMERGING
ASIA’S GREATEST BRAND 2023
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
ELISTA
MAKING IN INDIA FOR THE GLOBAL MARKET
Brand Elista was incepted in 2020 to ‘Make in India for The World,’ and bring India on the global manufacturing map. After having been well received in the Indian market and since its launch in the UAE towards the end of 2022, it has been creating history. It has made a mark in the electronics and home appliances markets
Elista is a company that has given quality products a true meaning. It is renowned for its worldclass electronic products. Building the portfolio under the umbrella of its parent company, TeknoDome LLC,Headquarteredat UAE, Elista sells smart TVs, IT and mobile accessories, and home appliances, among other goods. The company’s geographical expanse is huge and has a network of more than 15,000 retailers in India. Led by the good response, it is on the verge of starting its manufacturing plant in the coming months. With an expansive product profile, Elista envisions to put India on the world map with fine-quality, world-class electronic products.
VISION FOR FUTURE GROWTH
Elista has a strong vision in its mission of improving the lives of its customers by providing them with the best-quality electronic devices at an affordable price. Its vision is not only limited to customers,
but also extends to its employees, stakeholders, workers, andchannel partners. The company boasts of innovative ideas by its product designers, who provide electronics with distinctive designs and excellent functionality. In line with its growth plans, the company has taken its first global footstep by launching in the UAE, and is eying to launch soon in CIS and MENA markets.
BLEND OF EXPERTISE AND INNOVATION
Elista is a hub of innovative minds from all across the world. It takes pride in its employees in India who work diligently to create a niche for the company. The brand has a combined talent pool of many who’s who from the industry, which makes the company a perfect blend of strong and prodigious expertise and technological advancements.
GOING VOCAL FOR LOCAL
Elista’s growth graph is consistently heading upwards. The company
generated a revenue of ₹35 crores in the first financial year. With its dedication, intelligence,and understanding of the market, the organisation boosted its revenues to ₹158 crores in the next financial year. The company is now working relentlessly to increase its revenues to ₹250 crore in the current financial year. It further wants to expand its wings to global markets, and has plans to generate a revenue of ₹1,500 crore by 2025.
REWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
There is a long list of awards owned by Elista. The company was awarded ‘Editor’s Choice for the New Entrant Consumer Electronic Brand 2020’ at the Mobility Conclave and Excellence Awards. Device Next awarded Elista ‘Atmanirbhar Award 2020’, ‘The Best Computer Cabinet Brand’ and ‘The Best Electronics Brand Award’.
The list of recognitions include ‘BAARC Award – Marketing Meister (2022)’ and ‘Most Innovating IT Accessories Award’ by C&C Awards 2022. NCN also awarded the company with ‘The Most Successful Make in India Electronic Products Brand of 2021’ and the ‘Fast Growing Smart TV Brand of 2021’ in August 2022.
PROUD ASSOCIATIONS
Elista has made a mark in the industry with ace cricketer, Suresh Raina being its brand ambassador. The sportsperson complements the company’s vision of empowering Made in India products to excel in the world market with their innovations.
Along with Suresh Raina, another popular cricketer, Ishan Kishan has been made Elista’s brand ambassador to promote and expand the company’s business in the Hindi-speaking markets. With such big names associating with the brand, the organisation is marching ahead on its mission of ‘Make India Global’ with giant footsteps.
EMERGING
ikhila Constructions and Developers is the brainchild of Mr. Veluvolu Srinivasa Rao, an experienced professional with more than 10 years in the corporate world and more than 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. He heads the company’s overall operations, including strategy, sales, and finance.
The core management team at Nikhila Constructions and Developers has a collective experience of more than 150 years. The vast knowledge of this sector helps them come up with unique perspectives and allows them to implement best practices of industries to benefit potential home buyers. Their principal aim is to provide quality housing and investment options to the working class.
With Nikhila Constructions and Developers, people can enjoy all the necessary amenities at prime locations with large spaces within budget. All in all, the customer can feel a luxurious space within their budget. This makes this construction company different from the rest of the competitors in the market. They do not just construct houses, but also believe in creating long-lasting relations with clients.
Each project has a personal touch that gives immense satisfaction to the customers. They always keep their clients’ desires and needs in mind and work accordingly. The firm takes pride in always fulfilling the statutory and regulatory guidelines prescribed by the authorities, including HMDA, RERA, Environment Ministry, Fire Authority, Airport Authority, and others. As a result, it has created a niche in the real estate market by delivering premium and affordable housing to customers.
LUXURY WITH AFFORDABILITY
The professionals working at Nikhila Constructions and Developers ensure that every square foot of the houses they create can be utilised practically. They strive to offer customers properties that are appealing to their eyes and easy on their pockets. The highly competitive team works with commitment, integrity, and transparency.
Nikhila Constructions and Developers has an excellent record of fulfilling their promise within the stated timeframe. They value their customers and try to be one step ahead of their expectations.
INDIA’S GREATEST BRAND 2023
REAL ESTATE
Each project is done keeping in view the global standards and environmental responsibilities using new technologies and solutions.
NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Nikhila Constructions and Developers has completed and handed over eight projects to date. Of these, three projects are in Mokila, the fastest-growing hub in Hyderabad. It is a preferred location for all the IT professionals as it is far away from the busy areas and is spread in lush green areas, giving the residents a lot of
lung space.
The company recently launched a super-premium high-rise residential gated community named Royal Pavilion. It is located on the Mokila–Kondakal Road. This project is a unique mix of modern amenities amid greenery, with three levels of landscaping and a looped skywalk on the 19th floor. It is impressive and majestic due to its quality features and specifications.
Currently, Nikhila Constructions and Developers is working on the fastgrowing Western Corridor, which is the centre for the software industry in Hyderabad. The firm aims to build around 2,000 homes in the next six to eight years. These projects will be near IT SEZs along the Western Corridor and close to Neopolis and other IT hubs. With the mission of providing quality housing and investment options with the right balance of amenities and affordability in prime locations, the company aspires to create not only blissful homes, but also delightful communities.
NIKHILA CONSTRUCTIONS AND DEVELOPERS
EXPERTS IN QUALITY CONSTRUCTION
Nikhila Constructions and Developers is one of the pioneers in offering affordable homes with exclusive gated-community features. Since its inception in 2005, the firm has been setting benchmarks of unprecedented quality, innovative designs, and budget-friendly projects in the real estate industry
EMERGING
ASIA’S GREATEST BRAND 2023 HEALTHCARE
udazH
CREATING A SUSTAINABLE AND HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR ALL
udazH is a brand of Serene Envirotech Solutions, a start-up that aims at offering natural, cost-effective, and powerful solutions and services to humankind for preventive healthcare and wellness. Led by Founder Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Babu Sudhakar, this Mumbai-based firm is a pioneer in its field
Serene Envirotech Solutions, a pioneer in the preventive healthcare and wellness domain, was born with a vision to become a worldclass, scientifically-proven, and effective solution provider to improve the longevity and quality of human lives.
The company optimally utilises its expertise and experience to fulfill its vision and mission. It undertakes extensive research and development to deliver products and services that are eco-friendly, high-performing, and give value to the end-user through constant innovations.
The organisation has strong and dedicated professionals who work for environmental sustainability and impart an understanding of sustainabilityfocused products and services to the community. It aims to develop appropriate channels for reaching out to centres for wellness and alternative therapies and health clinics.
Serene Envirotech Solutions
endeavours to shift the focus away from chemical-based products and services used in our day-to-day lives to more natural, safe, cost-effective, and yet powerful solutions for a healthier and sustainable future. To accomplish the objective, the company keeps on looking for the latest R&D based developments of natural therapies, technologies, equipment, and makes them available to the community for their well-being.
A RANGE OF NOVEL PRODUCTS
With the vision and mission to develop eco-friendly healthcare solutions, Serene Envirotech Solutions has launched state-of-the-art products that produce hydrogen, a potent antioxidant, under the umbrella brand udazH. Multiple studies have shown that molecular hydrogen has beneficial effects in diverse human diseases.
The udazH Hydrogen Water Bottle is an excellent solution for the easy generation of hydrogen water, which can be consumed within minutes. It
generates hydrogen-infused water for human consumption. In addition, it has launched udazH Hydrogen Inhaler, a hydrogen-generating machine with dualuse technology that enables two users to use it simultaneously. It is India’s first portable molecular hydrogen generating machine and a next-gen personal wellness tool designed with state-ofthe-art features. The only ingredients that are required to use udazH Inhaler is pure water and electricity, and for hydrogen water bottle normal drinking water can be used.
All the products of the company are chemical-free, convenient, costeffective, safe, and portable, which gives the end-users the added advantage of shifting the equipment wherever they want without wasting time, money, and effort. Many consumers have vouched for the excellent and high-quality performance of these products, and become loyal ambassadors/endorsers of the brand.
AWARDS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Awards For Leadership and Excellence awarded udazH for its pioneering work in the field of Healthcare and Wellness in 2022.
National Awards “Fastest Growing FMCG product in Healthcare and Wellness” for brand udazH and “Most Admired Entrepreneur” for Dr. Babu for Leadership and Excellence for pioneering work in the field of Healthcare and Wellness in 2022.
In 2021, Serene Envirotech Solutions appointed famous Indian actress and social worker, Bhagyashree as its brand ambassador. She shared her first-hand experience of udazH as a subtle uptick in her sense of well-being after an hour’s session with the inhalator each day. The actor will help the company spread awareness about the several benefits of udazH for preventive and therapeutic healthcare.
EMERGING ASIA’S
ORO24 is the brainchild of Atif Rahman, its Founder and Chairman. His vision was to build a customercentric firm that offers consumers value-based real estate solutions.
With this objective, Rahman established ORO24 to provide top-notch real estate in every market imaginable. Teeming with great emotion and passion for the company, he follows an ethical business model with profit, transparency and philanthropy at its core.
ORO24 is more than just a not-for-profit company. It reflects Dubai, showing the actual value of possibility creation, creativity, and a lot more. The company’s first and foremost aim is to develop affordable unique residential estates focusing on innovation and communal living.
A TECH-FOCUSED BUSINESS
The entire business operates through digitisation and artificial intelligence. To align with the same approach, ORO24 made significant investments in topnotch virtual management, firewall, cyber security, and an Oracle ERP system that aids in the secure management of business operations.
to improve the skills of its employees and team members, which is why there is a routine investment in training and development. The company consistently sets new standards through its innovations. In addition to other regular initiatives such as solar lighting, sensors, and more, the firm is actively working on the drawing board for design efficiency, choosing water-saving sanitary ware, building a greywater treatment plant, and collecting condensate water from fresh air handling units for irrigation and delivering eco-communities, with a focus
on consumer value.
A PEOPLE-ORIENTED COMPANY
ORO24 believes that any organisation’s goal should be transforming people’s lives for good and better and making their day by giving them satisfactory experiences. The company first constructed the offices in prime locations to make commuting easier for staff and guests, and establish a distinctive atmosphere.
The management wants their employees and customers to be treated well at work, so it has made a variety of food and coffee available at its on-site cafe, Café ORO. Additionally, there is a kitchen named O’Byte, where various dishes can be ordered using the employee portal. The privileges do not stop here. ORO24 also provided the employees with an on-site medical centre, La Salute, and a special education-cum-entertainment area, Ozone. The education-cumentertainment area has a variety of amenities, including a library, a gym, and a theatre.
The company recently obtained a unique printing solution that can produce bound agreements of up to 100 pages in less than 50 seconds. Taking community sustainability seriously, it has used a lot of natural plants inside and around its headquarters, leading to a 20 percent cleaner air quality in offices. The organisation has also installed water filtering systems to reduce the usage of plastic.
Both the projects launched, namely TORINO by ORO24 and LEVANTO by ORO24, have been a huge success and received an outstanding consumer response, which depicts the most rewarding aspect of its success.
THE A-ONE TEAM
At ORO24, employees are assets. The company’s workforce is supervised by well-qualified management personnel. The team consists of a competent corporate secretary, a board of advisors, and six committees.
The company enables transparency, governance, and risk management in business operations and decisionmaking. It has left no stone unturned
ORO24
A NEW-AGE REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
ORO24 focuses on developing affordable unique residential projects emphasising communal living. Customer experience is the primary focus of its project lifecycle, right from land acquisition to design, sales, and delivery. The company’s entire business operates through digitisation and artificial intelligence
INFRASTRUCTURE
TPI POLENE
LEVERAGING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH INNOVATION
Top-down, quality-driven company from Thailand, TPI Polene has a robust bond with sustainability. Its zero-waste approach has created a history in the petrochemical and chemical sector. It has ushered into the area biodegradable products to create a cleaner and greener world
The world needs renewable and non-renewable resources to walk hand in hand to create a better, greener future. The rise in the petrochemical industry with the idea of sustainability was first laid down by TPI Polene, a renowned company from Thailand.
The company was set up in the year 1978 by its visionary founder, Mr. Prachai Leophairatana. His dream of creating an eco-friendly, sustainable and environment-friendly company has made headlines for the past 45 years inspiring others to follow the same path.
TPI Polene stands out as the first company to manufacture low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic resin amongst all the countries in Southeast Asia. It has been a forerunner in the petrochemical and chemical sector in Thailand.
In the past 45 years, the company has expanded its roots into many sectors keeping the sustainability factor in mind.
It has ventured into manufacturing construction materials, and with its consistency to manufacture exquisite quality products, it has become the third largest manufacturer of rooftop tiles, cement and concrete in the country. The company has also branched out into the energy, utilities and agriculture sectors, and biopharmaceuticals, all while keeping its finger on the pulse of sustainability.
TPI Polene is a well-known name in the industry and has been leading by example for the past 45 years. Its inherent allegiance with sustainability and mindful approach towards long-term ecological balance has given the company a status of one of the most technologically advanced companies in the region. The firm, with its vivid adherence to ESG criteria, is looking forward to dwell into innovation, giving sustainability its right due.
STEERING INTO THE BEST DIRECTION
In addition to the petrochemicals industry, the company has expanded to various sectors such as agriculture,
biopharmaceuticals, and energy.
The company, with its secondgeneration owners, is in the able hands in business. Wiith their vision, consistency, and innovation with sustainability taking the centrestage, the company generated a revenue of 41 Billion Baht ($1.14 billion) in the last financial year.
A quality-driven company, TPI Polene has created employment opportunities for thousands of people in Thailand. Currently, it takes pride in its 10,000-strong employee base in the country.
BONDING OVER BOUNDARIES
It is the vision of the leaders at the company to establish prolific ties with other multinational companies across the globe. TPI Polene aims to grow its business with Japanese companies in the area of renewable energy resources. The company has adequate offers for the Japanese companies bridging the gap between non-renewable resources and sustainability. Leveraging this positioning, the company is poised for even further growth in its bid to help Thailand, and to establish more partnerships with countries with a like-minded focus on quality, innovation and sustainability.
TPI Polene is renowned for manufacturing a full range of EVA copolymers in all three forms. Its production of EVA polymers in granule form, emulsion form, and powder form are the leading products in the industry. It is no surprise that the company is one of the top two companies in the world producing a complete range of EVA products.
TPI Polene’s plastic resin products are known to have their famous Polene trademark. It swears by delivering the highest quality products given its complex manufacturing and technologically challenging genesis. Led by decades of industry expertise and experience, strengthened by its partnerships, it continues to innovate and evolve, forging full steam ahead into the future.
PL Apollo Tubes Limited set up its first manufacturing plant in Sikandrabad, Ghaziabad, in 1986. When it entered the market, the business was centred on circular and round pipes. However, APL Apollo Tubes introduced niche differentiation, and started manufacturing rectangular and square steel tubes, replacing conventional products such as wooden structures, aluminum profile, angles, and channels.
Today, the company has 11 plants across India, 2,124 employees, 800+ distributors, 16 registered product designs, and 75 registered trademarks. In addition, it has more than 2,000 SKUs, and a production capacity of 3.6 million tonnes per year. As a result, it is the lowest cost producer with the shortest lead time for delivery to its distributors and a whopping 55% market share.
THE GUIDING PHILOSOPHY
APL Apollo Tubes Limited’s vision is to be a high-performing organisation and global leader recognised for governance, excellence, customer-centric approach, customer delight, and building sustainable, long-term relationships with all partners or stakeholders through reach-out programs for influencers. The company believes in innovation, integrity, trust, commitment, and leading by example, which it successfully implements in its daily activities. Its mission is to lead the transformation of an ordinary commodity to a value-added product through cuttingedge technology and innovation.
HUB OF INNOVATION
The company’s new plant at Raipur is its biggest ever plant with an annual production capacity of 1 million tonnes. The innovation hub is where, for the first time ever in India, the firm has introduced 500x500 mm box sections of up to 20 mm thickness and 1000x1000 mm sections. It is the only company with such vast SKUs, ranging from 10x10 mm to 1000x1000 mm box sections. APL Apollo Tubes Limited has also introduced colour-coated narrow and wider sheets for various applications, and steel building solutions with its exclusive range of heavy structural tubular products that are known for their superior quality, strength, cost effectiveness and eco-friendliness.
A RANGE OF EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTS
At APL Apollo Tubes Limited, innovation
MANUFACTURING
is embedded in the company’s culture to encourage new product development and process improvement ideas. The company’s ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 certifications speak volumes about the top-notch quality of its products.
The firm has multi-product offerings broken down into four categories: Structural Steel Tubes, Pre-Galvanized, and Galvanized Tubes, MS Black Pipes, and Hollow Sections, and over 2,000 varieties sold under 14 sub-brands, including, Apollo Structural, Apollo Tricoat, Apollo Galv, ApolloZ, and others.
CSR AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
APL Apollo Tubes Limited considers corporate governance and social responsibility as the bedrock of sustainable growth. Therefore, it has adopted global best practices to ensure fair governance, environmental wellbeing, and employee welfare.
The company has introduced new environmentally friendly products such as steel door frames and steel tubular construction solutions. At the same time, it has increased the use of green energy in manufacturing plants to more than 38%.
AWARDS AND ALLIANCES
For its excellent performance in the field, APL Apollo Tubes Limited was bestowed with the ‘Global Business Icon Award 2022’ by Entrepreneur Insights and ‘Emerging Brand Award – 2019’ by ABP Brand Excellence Awards.
International Brand Consulting Corporation (USA) also felicitated the company with ‘India’s Best Company of the Year Award 2017’.
APL APOLLO TUBES LIMITED
THE LEADING PRODUCER OF STRUCTURAL STEEL PRODUCTS IN INDIA
Based in Delhi NCR, APL Apollo Tubes Limited is one of India’s fastest-growing structural steel tube manufacturer. With an annual production of 3.6 million tonnes per annum, offices in 29 Indian cities, and a vast 3-tier distribution network, the company, led by CMD Mr. Sanjay Gupta, caters to 20 countries worldwide
INFRASTRUCTURE
KAMDHENU LIMITED
LAYING STRONG FOUNDATION FOR A PROSPEROUS NATION
Kamdhenu Limited is a well-established flagship company specialising in the steel manufacturing business since 1995. Working consistently to make the company prosper, Founder Member and Full-Time Director Mr. Sunil Agarwal has made the company’s marketing network a powerful force across India
amdhenu’s success story has had a humble beginning. It started in 1995 when Satish Kumar Agarwal began to work in a relatively small production unit and initiated this expedition into India’s steel sector with a singlereinforcement steel bar manufacturing business at Bhiwadi (Rajasthan). Within a few years, the uphill struggle soon brought Kamdhenu Group’s journey to a milestone where the business took the shape of a company with a towering reputation in the Indian steel market.
Later on, Kamdhenu Limited ventured into the franchisee business model to bring more dynamism and transparency to the company’s operations. This model serves a dual purpose; that is, the franchisee units benefit by availing of Kamdhenu’s strong marketing network and brand premium, while Kamdhenu Limited gets a huge ‘royalty’ from these franchisees for using its brand name. The company has grown from ‘one of many’ to ‘one of the best’ and has been making vital progress
in developing high-quality products. A few of them are 50+ manufacturing units of brand products, Rs. 6000+ crore brand turnover, 40 lakh+ satisfied consumers of TMT bars, and 15000+ workforce. The financial statistics of the company also speak volumes about it’s progress.
LED BY AN EMPOWERING VISION
The company believes in living up to a set of work ethics and following them conscientiously in every sphere of its activities to raise the brand’s overall credibility. These values include customer satisfaction, commitment, quality assurance, transparency, best quality at best price, and honesty. It has set its eyes on the decentralisation of the production base by undertaking strategic tie-ups, alliances, and acquisitions of small and medium-sized manufacturing units all over India and getting all of them under the Kamdhenu umbrella through QMS implementation, technical upgradation, exclusive dealer distribution network and the stockyard model.
WITH A COMPETITIVE EDGE
Kamdhenu Group’s focused marketing strategies and consistent efforts to create better brand awareness have propelled it to enjoy a price premium for its diverse product ranges over other non-branded products. The company also takes pride in its highly efficient and innovative marketing team, which turns every challenge into an opportunity with its out-of-the-box ideas. The group is committed to serving its customers with high-end yet affordable products. Its diverse range includes Kamdhenu Decorative Paints, Kamdhenu Plywood, Kamdhenu Colour Coated Sheets, Kamdhenu Structural Steels, Kamdhenu Wire Bonds (Barbed Wires and Chain Link Fence), Kamdhenu Pipes and Kamdhenu Pre-Engineered Buildings.
CSR INITIATIVES OF THE GROUP
Kamdhenu Limited believes in giving back to society. It has initiated and taken part in many campaigns. Under the Green India Initiative, it organises regular drives wherein 7,500 steel-business distributors/ dealers are motivated to plant at least six saplings annually and nurture them. The company organises blood donation camps for the underprivileged and special motivational or donation programmes for the physically challenged. It provides primary education to underprivileged children under Kamdhenu Jeevan Dhaara.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Kamdhenu Limited has many awards to its name. The notable ones include ‘The Bharat Jyoti Award for Excellent Corporate Performance – Rajasthan’ in 2006-07, ‘The Bhiwadi Manufacturing Association (BMA) Award for Best Entrepreneur’ in 2013, ‘Bhamashah Award by Confederation of All India Traders Association’ in 2010, ‘Ispat Udyog Ratan Award from All India Induction Furnaces Association’ in 2013, and ‘Asia’s Most Promising Brand by World Consulting and Research Corporation’ validated by consumers and the industry.
MANUFACTURING
Starting in the year 1945, with a pH meter, the company was registered as HORIBA Radio Laboratory, and later in 1953 was entitled as HORIBA, Ltd. Since then, the company has been manufacturing a best-in-class analytical product lines, spreading its swings across the globe with multiple mergers and acquisitions of some famous spectroscopy technology leaders like ABX SA, MIRA, SPEX, JOBINYVON, IBH, MANTA Instruments, and others. With a total workforce of around 9,000 employees worldwide, HORIBA is in its 70th year of operations. Its instruments are found in universities and industries around the world. Proven quality and trusted performance have established widespread confidence in the HORIBA brand. The company is proud of its flagship products, such as Raman Spectrometer, Mass Flow Controller, CS ONH Analyzers, Ambient/ Water Quality Monitoring System, MEXAONE Motor Exhaust Gas Analyzer, and etc.
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
With a vision to be closer to the customers as their most preferred technology partner, the HORIBA Group started its direct operations, with headquarters in New Delhi in 2006. This was also envisioned as an opportunity to serve the community by giving a better environment, creating jobs and better healthcare facilities. In the notion of the Government of India’s initiatives for Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the push for industrial sectors contributing significantly to the GDP of India, HORIBA has invested in the following sites for both – economic development and more job opportunities to support the development of society. Spread across an area of 12 acres and strategically positioned in Nagpur, the centremost location for logistics in India, our state-of-the-art facility set-up at Butibori comprises of manufacturing, refurbishment, an International Training Centre, HORIBA Experience Zone and Horiba India Technical Institute (HITI) as well as a central warehousing facility for the medical diagnostics product range. It is the region’s largest hematology reagent manufacturing facility. Moreover, a medical reagent manufacturing facility at Haridwar, Uttarakhand began production in the year 2013 to support the growing market with quick customer delivery of reagents. HORIBA India Technical Center (HITC), Pune is also operational since
2006 and enacting as a demonstration base for emission measurement systems, advanced analytical instruments and an indigenised customisation facility. This state-of-the-art facility is spread across a site area of 2.5 acres and certified with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and NABL ISO IEC 17025:2005 accreditation that supports the Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat drive. HORIBA India has executed many projects on the development of a 2/3 Wheel Chassis Dynamometer, Make In India EV Chassis
Dyno, RDE Testing Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS), Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (AAQMS) and Water Quality Monitoring System (WQMS) for both domestic and export supplies at this ever-evolving technical R&D centre.
BUSINESS EXPANSION AND GROWTH
HORIBA finds SAARC nations to be holding a good economy share in the South Asian countries in the decades to come. The manpower and raw material available being the strength factor. In lieu of this, HORIBA India has opened regional offices or hired direct representatives in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives. It is desirous of continuing social development by providing state-of-theart technological products for scientific advancement, especially for protecting health, safety and the environment with the HORIBA vision of ‘Explore the Future.’ The credit for HORIBA India’s growth goes to its dynamic and engaged employees, who are inspired by its culture of ‘JOY and FUN’ to always outperform their duties.
HORIBA INDIA
PROGRESSING WITH ELATION
HORIBA, Ltd., a 70-year-old multi-national organisation, made up of 49 companies in 27 countries, provides analytical and measurement systems worldwide. The group is dealing in the markets of Automotive, Process and Environmental Instruments, Medical Diagnostics, Semiconductors, and Scientific Instruments
INFRASTRUCTURE
KAMDHENU PAINTS
PAINTING DREAMS INTO REALITY
With a history of outstanding customer service and high-quality standards, Kamdhenu Paints, the paint vertical of the thriving business conglomerate Kamdhenu Limited, is India’s fastest growing company. Synonymous with perfection, it has become a household name in every corner of India
amdhenu Paints was launched in 2008 by the prestigious Kamdhenu Group, one of India’s leading building materials companies. The organisation’s paints business registered a growth of 19 percent and clocked a revenue of ₹241 crore in the fiscal year 2022. Set to grow multi-fold, the paints business demerged in 2022 into a separate entity named Kamdhenu Colour and Coatings Limited. The demerger will eventually be followed by a listing of Kamdhenu Ventures Limited, the holding company for the paint business, namely Kamdhenu Colour and Coatings Limited, in January 2023 on the BSE and NSE.
With the paint industry in India witnessing around 18-20 percent annual growth, the organisation is expecting to grow at 30-40 percent in the coming years. Given its wide presence and extensive network across the country, the organisation is targeting a 30-40 percent year-on-year growth.
A PROMISING FUTURE
The success of Kamdhenu Paints aligns with the group’s vision to turn Kamdhenu Group into an all-solution brand for infrastructural and construction needs. The organisation has always strived to exhibit professionalism by developing innovative solutions to meet the customers’ unique needs and expectations.
The brand has banked on building a solid foundation of infrastructural and supply chain management over the years. The company’s indigenous stateof-the-art production plant at Chopanki, Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, is equipped with high-precision equipment with an output capacity of 36,000 MT/KL per annum.
A stockyard facility of 33 sales depots and a massive network of 4,000 dealers and distributors enable the smooth and uninterrupted supply of Kamdhenu Paints’ products across the length and breadth of the country. The latest technology and advanced R&D laboratories help the organisation
guarantee customer satisfaction throughout its range of products.
Kamdhenu Paints’ commitment to customer satisfaction has always guided the organisation to find comprehensive solutions in construction that have further translated into expanding the product basket over the years. The organisation offers various paint and colour solutions to serve customers’ needs. The company’s offerings include exterior and interior emulsions, cement paints, water-based primers, acrylic distempers, synthetic and GP enamel, solvent-based primers, wood finishes, aluminum paints, and textured to designer finishes.
Led by dynamic leadership and a dedicated workforce, the company is poised to grow in the decorative paints’ segment, with multiple growth avenues unfolding seamlessly in the future.
GIVING BACK TO CREATE A POSITIVE IMPACT
Kamdhenu Paints is sensitive to the holistic development of society. Through the Kamdhenu Jeevandhara Foundation, under the aegis of the company’s visionary Chairperson, Mrs. Radha Agarwal, the business conglomerate is walking extra miles to do good for the people, environment and society.
The Foundation is instrumental in helping uplift underprivileged children through education, learning kits, mid-day meals and training in computer education. It is also involved in supporting physically challenged individuals through various welfare camps organised for the differentlyabled, distribution of free artificial limbs, wheelchairs, walkers, polio calipers, and other body-aid instruments.
In its bid to save the environment, the organisation has launched a ‘Green India’ drive under which its 12,500 dealers and distributors (steel and paints), plant and nurture at least five saplings each year.
imbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) was established in 2015 under the Companies Act of Zimbabwe after the Government consolidated all the diamond mining concessions in Chiadzwa. ZCDC is in the business of exploring, mining, processing, and selling diamonds across the world. It is headquartered in Harare and has mining operations in Manicaland’s Chimanimani and Chiadzwa areas. ZCDC envisions being a world-class diamond producer, and follows transparency, integrity, innovation, teamwork, zero harm, care, and operational excellence. In all that ZCDC does, these values inspire and guide its decisions and actions.
THE COMPANY’S STRATEGIC DRIVERS
As it moves towards its vision of being a world-class diamond producer, ZCDC contributes significantly towards the Government of Zimbabwe’s target of building “A Sustainable 12 Billion US Dollar Mining Industry by 2023,” wherein the diamond industry’s contribution to Zimbabwe’s economy is pegged at $1 billion. ZCDC identifies eight key strategic pillars, namely, supply chain management, finance, and asset management, operational excellence, protection and surveillance, marketing and sales, public relations and community development, safety-health-environment-quality-risk, and human capital management and development, as the main drivers for achieving the 2023 target of the sector.
ZCDC’s focus is on five main objectives to ensure high-quality performance. These are revenue improvement and acceleration through process optimization to eliminate damage to diamonds, cost containment and sustained management by eliminating inefficiencies and waste across the value chain, building organizational capability/ capacity through state-of-art technology in the diamond mining business and recruiting the best minds, stakeholder engagement and improving the quality of lives of people by implementing the IRMA standard and sustainable community development initiatives, and ensuring organizational sustainability by carrying out resource-extension programs to ensure the diamonds of tomorrow and life beyond diamond mining. For example, ZCDC plans to regenerate 20 hectares of mined-out areas by planting 6,000 native trees to ensure that life after mining is restored.
MANUFACTURING
EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
ZCDC establishes and maintains an effective Integrated Management System that exceeds the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018. In addition, it provides quality products that meet customer satisfaction through adopting TQMS.
The organisation conducts open communication with its employees, suppliers, contractors, other business partners, and interested third parties to ensure a business culture that provides Zero harm vision. The Zero
Harm vision encompasses Zero Injuries, Zero Occupational Illnesses, Zero Environmental Contamination and Degradation, and Zero Property Damage.
THE CSR HEROES
Corporate social responsibility is one of the main strategic pillars of ZCDC. The company believes in a perfect balance between national, corporate stakeholders, and community interests in business, and is committed to working for the environment, human health, safety, and welfare of its employees, stakeholders, and the community.
ZCDC has rehabilitated roads, rolled out sponsorship programs for underprivileged local students to assist them with school fees and related educational assistance, and provided a solar system for the clinic and drugs to help the local community with free healthcare services. A few more of its CSR projects that are in pipeline are livestock, farming, beekeeping, water pipeline, greenbelt irrigation, skill development, and vocational training.
ZIMBABWE CONSOLIDATED DIAMOND COMPANY
A TRUSTED, WORLD-CLASS DIAMOND PRODUCER
With Dr. Mark Mabhudhu as its CEO, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) is wholly owned by Defold Mine (Pvt.) Limited. It derives its name from one of the most significant diamond discoveries in the early 2000s. It turned Zimbabwe arguably into one of the world’s largest diamond producers
EMERGING
INDIA’S GREATEST BRAND 2023
INFRASTRUCTURE
ARS STEELS
BUILDING A SAFER AND STRONGER TOMORROW
ARS Steels, founded by Mr. Ashwani Kumar Bhatia, has been successfully catering to the demands of its consumers since 1990. The firm provides steel products for reinforced concrete structures, bridges, industries, flats, dams, and other construction works. It is one of the nation’s most reliable and integrated steel plants
he top-notch steel company
TARS Steels manufactures and exports an extensive array of TMT bars. With modern and advanced technological machines, it delivers products within the time limit without compromising quality. It works with the prime aim of leading the power and steel industry in the country using limitless innovation and technology.
The organisation’s annual turnover is around Rs. 750 crore, and it keeps setting new benchmarks to increase its profitability. The Company Head, Mr. Ashwani Kumar Bhatia has some really big plans for the expansion of his company. Under his leadership, the organisation located in Gummidipoomi Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu has already started expanding in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and other states. It has created a formidable space in Tamil Nadu and plans to expand its business overseas.
An ISO certified company, ARS
Steels focuses on quality management systems and creating a safe and healthy workplace for its employees. Now, it is also focusing on exploring other avenues abroad, especially in other South Asian countries, to make a worldwide presence and popularity.
QUALITY OVER EVERYTHING
One of the principal reasons for the popularity of ARS Steels is their consistency in manufacturing the ‘D’ quality steel, which is considered the best-quality steel in the market. It has low sulphur and phosphorus content, and is strong and ductile to withstand shocks. Moreover, the certified and tested elongation of ARS 550 D is 25% more than BIS standards, thus, making it 25% safer and stronger during any natural calamity.
The company has even commissioned a renowned international testing agency that tests and certifies each consignment before it goes into the market. All the products carry the agency’s authentication sticker and seal for customer satisfaction.
CORDIAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT
ARS Steels has a devoted team of members working diligently to take the company to great heights. Each member is truly committed to the organisation’s growth and profitability. It is because of the entrepreneurial thinking ability of the workforce that the firm provides sustainable and excellent quality products to the customers.
The team is constantly motivated to achieve the highest professional delivery standards. All of the members work with the prime objective of providing a quality product to win the trust of their clients and stakeholders.
RAISING THEIR VALUE OVER PEOPLE
Only a satisfied customer gives a big business to a company. Keeping this in mind, the workforce at ARS Steels ensures that the products manufactured are cost-effective and delivered within the time limit. The industrious team members work as per their customers’ needs and demands. Mr. Ashwani Kumar Bhatia and his team understand the customers’ requirements comprehensively and deliver revolutionary products and services to them.
SUCCESS STORY
ARS Steels installed two 3-tonne furnaces in 1992 and 1994. In 2003 and 2004, it converted these two furnaces into 8-tonne furnaces, respectively. In 2010, it installed a new 25-tonne furnace that ramped up its billet production to the next level. The company even has one of the country’s largest induction furnacebased steel mills. These milestones won much acclaim for the company.
ARS Steels received the Excellence Award from the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, thus, emerging as one of the most trusted steel manufacturing companies in the country. The firm has also got several certifications for its work.
EMERGING
KEMI is a thriving, recognised group that offers bond, filling, and repairing services. It works with the customers to identify their specific needs and then recommend products from their range in exactly matched proportions. The founder of this company developed the first adhesives based on polyester resin and even recognised the trend-setting importance of reactive resins for the stone industry. They provide tailored 2-component putties and adhesives based on polyester and epoxy resin in top quality for a wide range of applications.
The company manufactures product range for cleaning, care, anti-slip, protection, and wide range of adhesive and sealants for professionals. The products manufactured at AKEMI are available in different packing sizes for clients. The team promises perfectly organised services and guarantees prompt delivery to more than 90 countries worldwide. The quality of its products is ensured by up-todate production and continual inspection and testing. AKEMI is headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany, but its production plants and distribution establishments are spread in India, US, Brazil, Turkey, and China. AKEMI has established a state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility in Bengaluru in year 2011 and Mr. Vineet Saluja, Managing Director formed a joint venture with AKEMI India in the year 2013. AKEMI offer various fillers and adhesives based on polyester and epoxy systems. AKEMI India has also launched two indigenous brands ‘GELOFIX’ and ‘Wondernail’. In addition, they even provide total stone solutions and impregnators, surface treatment products like polishs and colour enhancers.
INCREDIBLE AND NOTABLE WORKS
AKEMI has made its mark all over the globe. In India, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, where more than 2,50.000 square meters of natural stone were laid at the new terminal, AKEMI supported the Indian airport operators with application technology to protect stone surfaces from stains. Similarly, all bondings on the mountain Pagoda in Vietnam were made with AKEMI Akepox. In France, AKEMI provided bonding and anti-slip treatment on the steps of The Roland Garros tennis complex. AKEMI marble silicone was used for the white Carrara marble in the Great Mosque of
Algiers in Algeria. The MAS Museum, situated in the former harbour area at the river Scheldt in Antwerp, was built using red stones from India. The natural stone slabs were bonded using AKEMI Akepox2030 brick red at the mitre-joint edges and window soffits.
LED BY RELIABLE PROFESSIONALS
A team of highly qualified chemical engineers and chemists work for AKEMI. They constantly improve the quality of the existing products and strive to make them environment-friendly. The workforce
diligently innovates to fulfil clients’ requirements. All the new products are tested given their durability in freeze-thaw cycles and breakage tests. The product range is expanded after intensive research and development to offer the most innovative solutions to all the clients in the future. AKEMI products meet all the legal requirements for health protection, work safety, and labeling. The Group’s massive success is owed to the conducive work environment and the hardworking staff. Considering environment-friendly practices have gained a lot of importance in the industry in recent years, it has become necessary to consider the ecological, economic, and social aspects in the planning and construction process. AKEMI India is proud to work in for natural stone chemicals, which are found to be the most sustainable construction material for floor coverings. It has been a sponsor of a scientific study commissioned by the German Naturalstone Association that proved that natural stones are sustainable and environment friendly.
AKEMI
MARCHING TOWARDS GREATER SUCCESS
AKEMI is one of the most notable global brands for stone and auto-chemistry with a rich experience of 90 years. The leading partner for stone-processing enterprises set up a modern manufacturing facility in Bengaluru in 2011 Since then, it has made rapid inroads into the growing Indian market
MANUFACTURING
DAKLE INDUSTRIAL PLASTICS
GROWING EXPONENTIALLY SINCE 1984
Establishing a name in the manufacturing industry of India is a challenging task. There are countless competitors and high-end services. However, Dakle Industrial Plastics has cracked the secret of success. It has been delivering critical and highly technical equipment with the fastest delivery across the industry for over 40 years
akle Industrial Plastics was launched by Mr. Maganlal S Dakle in 1984.
The Founder is a technocrat and a Chemical Engineer. After gaining his degree in Chemical Engineering from the US, he started his career abroad in filament-wound FRP technology. After spending three years in the industry, he returned to India to put all his learnings into creating his own business in the homeland.
Today, the company is spearheaded by the next generation — Anand Maganlal Dakle and Priya Annand Dakle. They experiment, innovate, and introduce new products to ensure that the company name stays on the top.
SERVING PRESTIGIOUS CLIENTS
Today, Dakle Industrial Plastics is proud to have an impressive clientele that includes prestigious names such as BARC, Hindustan Unilever, Bayer Crop Science, and Huber. The services and customer connection of the company
are so good that they have retained their clients since 1984.
This list has kept on increasing in India and overseas, in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh and Egypt. The company has also been associated with government organisations such as Nuclear Power Corporation and Kundankulam Nuclear Power Plant.
OFFERING ONLY EXCELLENCE
While it started as a small company, Dakle Industrial Plastics has expanded in India and abroad. The main reason behind this is its commitment to manufacturing high-quality products, fastest delivery, and good after-sales service.
The company’s portfolio contains a comprehensive range of FRP Nutsche filters, fiberglass scrubbers, GRP static mixers, FRP fume hoods, fiberglass fume hoods, FRP towers, FRP pressure vessels, and so on. All these products are manufactured at the company’s state-ofthe-art workshops spread across 1 lakh
sq. ft. under the supervision of a highly experienced and trained workforce.
Moreover, the company invests much in research and innovation to add production value and excellence. As a result of their constant efforts, Dakle Industrial Plastics is known for using high-quality raw materials and processes that offer the best products.
A COMPANY THAT CARES
For Dakle Industrial Plastics, business is more than just taking care of customers’ needs. The company also takes extra steps to ensure a safe and supporting workspace for its employees. Mrs. Priya Annand Dakle spearheads this responsibility by conducting mental and physical health workshops for the employees. She also organises safety programmes to provide training during a fire or any other calamity. The company also cared for its employees’ needs during the recent COVID-19 crisis. It introduced new tools that maintain social distance among the workers.
The firm adheres to eco-friendly practices and ensures that it does not end up harming the environment. It sends the solid waste to Pollution Control Boardcertified reliable waste processors. It has also planted trees around all of its manufacturing units to increase the green cover and improve air quality. In addition, Dakle Industrial Plastics takes its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities quite seriously. The firm established its first English medium school — Smt. Madibai Sardarmal Dakle School — in the Sanjan village of Umbergaon block, Valsad, Gujarat. It also has a free Gujarati medium school in the same town where it offers free education to students.
Under the leadership of Mrs. Priya Annand Dakle, this CSR arm waived the students’ fees during the pandemic while paying 100% of salaries to the teaching and non-teaching staff each month.
EMERGING
irox Technologies Limited, founded by Mr. Sanjay Bharatkumar Jaiswal, is dedicated to building smart healthcare infrastructure both in India and internationally. Currently, the company has more than 25 distributors throughout India and over 125 employees. Additionally, its corporate office is in Aurangabad (Maharashtra) and branch office in Kolkata (West Bengal). It also has its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Aurangabad.
Airox Technologies Limited is the only company in India with a track record of operating generators for over ten years. Its systems are technologically sophisticated, as it sources essential components from New York and the United States. It is the only firm in the country to be certified as US FDA CE Medical Devices, Class IIb.
With collaboration with Airsep Corporation of New York, the largest manufacturer of PSA oxygen systems in the world, Airox Technologies Limited has redefined oxygen supply in hospitals by installing oxygen generators on site, thereby making hospitals self-sufficient in oxygen.
The installation process at Airox Technologies Limited begins with a timely audit by routine engineers, which is done as a top priority. Because oxygen is a lifesaving drug, the company wants to make its delivery as efficient as possible.
CUSTOMER IS THE KING
Airox Technologies Limited is a customerfocused organisation that values complete customer satisfaction. It believes that high customer satisfaction ensures longterm clients, which is vital to staying competitive. The company has served more than 850 satisfied customers to date. In fact, its biggest strength is its presence in all states of India. Additionally, with over 60 experienced service engineers, the company has a vast service network all over the country.
Toyota, Bajaj, Walmart, Reliance, Tata, Azim Premji Foundation, Doctors for You, CPI, TMC, United Way of Bengaluru, American Indian Foundation and many more are among its top corporate clients.
In addition, its client list includes many private hospitals and government hospitals using its PSA systems across India. With PSA spare stock available in abundance at 12 locations in India, the company also boasts excellent after-
INDIA’S
MANUFACTURING
sales service.
THRIVING DESPITE CHALLENGES
Despite difficult circumstances, the company’s management team knows how to turn adversity into opportunity. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Airox Technologies Limited had seen a massive spike in its business, particularly during the second wave in April-May of 2021, when India’s healthcare infrastructure was struggling to provide oxygen to COVID-19 patients. The company currently generates between ₹200-300
crore in terms of revenue.
PLANS TO GO PUBLIC
With almost 75% of the market share, the unrivalled products and services offered by Airox Technologies Limited have made it the uncontested market leader. The company is currently exploring plans to list domestic bourses. The company is hoping to explore its options for an IPO this calendar year.
GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY
Airox Technologies Limited is a socially responsible company concerned with society’s welfare. In collaboration with PM Cares Fund, the company had provided 60 plants to the Central Medical Services Society.
It has also donated 34 plants to the United Nations under the United Nations Children’s Fund. Furthermore, the company is also known for its green activities. Compared to other companies, its PSA plants use 40%-60% less electricity.
AIROX TECHNOLOGIES
CATCHING THE WAVE
Airox Technologies Limited specialises in the manufacturing of medical-grade oxygen generation plants, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and refrigerator-based air dryers. Founded in September 2012, the Aurangabad-based firm has since grown to become one of the industry’s leading medical equipment manufacturers
INFRASTRUCTURE
DEXTRA INDIA
SETTING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCTION BENCHMARKS
Dextra India is a part of Dextra Group, a well-known name in the infrastructure and construction industry. Headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, the privatelyowned group of companies offers dependable and smart technical solutions, helping contractors and consultants to design and build ever-lasting structures
stablished by French expatriate entrepreneurs in 1983, Dextra is a leading manufacturer and distributor of engineered construction products for the civil and building industries. With a team of 950 professionals worldwide and commercial presence in 55 countries, it has been developing and expanding into newer areas.
With more than 15,000 infrastructure projects to its credit in the last four decades and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in India, Thailand, and China, Dextra Group leverages its global expertise by offering one-of-its-kind products in concrete reinforcement solutions and engineered bar systems with focus on customer satisfaction, sustainability, innovation, and customer service. Its ISO-certified facilities meet the highest quality standards and manufacture top-of-theline products used in the construction and building materials market.
Having forayed into the Indian market in January 2002, Dextra India has been partnering with other infrastructure players for major projects across the country. Its clients include DMRC, BMRC, DMRC, MMRC, KMRC, MEGA, BMC, and other government or quasigovernment institutions such as NPCIL, BARC, NHIDCL, NHAI, and others.
TURNING DREAMS INTO REALITY
Mr. Sunil Desai, Managing Director, Dextra India, says that the company’s vision is to be a global giant in manufacturing, engineering, and delivery of high-value-added products and services for its clients in the infrastructure and construction industry. Dextra Group is also looking to launch its globally established range in ground engineering in India, while looking for channel partners for its services.
The company is also aspiring to participate in the upcoming tunnel and elevated projects across the country. It works closely with the stakeholders of
tunnel and metro projects for their fasttrack and unique solutions such as FRP product range, Couplers, Sonic Tubes, among others.
A RANGE OF QUALITY OFFERINGS
Dextra India is a leader in bar splicing system and is known as the ‘preferred partner’ in the field. Dextra also has specialised Groutec splices, which serve as the most reliable connection systems for precast connections. Under Engineered Bar Systems, the company has Marine Tie bars, Architectural bars and PT bars. The success of the company’s wide range of quality offerings motivates it to expand its footprint and business.
The unique ground engineering solutions the company offers includes steel and FRP products such as anchors for UG metro stations, tunnels, slope stabilisation works, and pile foundation testing. Its ISO 9001, ASME, CARES, ICC, BV, and Caltrans certified Quality Management Systems ensure the highest quality in the manufacturing of products like mechanical splices, smooth PT bar systems, and very sustainable FRP production range.
SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS IN INDIA
Dextra’s product solutions have been used in India’s landmark projects such as Delhi Metro, Mumbai Metro, MTHL Bridge, MAHSR, Dream Acres Bangalore Precast Construction Residential Project, Chhatrapati Shivaji Mumbai Airport Terminal Construction Project, Jamnagar Refinery Expansion Gujarat, and Pune Cricket Stadium.
From its offices in Mumbai (HQ), New Delhi, and Chennai, Dextra India’s teams offer expertise and efficient solutions in diverse industry areas such as HSR, Metros, Air and marine ports, highrise towers, stadiums, tunnels, etc, to consultants, designers, and contractors all over India.
EMERGING
ach product at PARÉ Innovations Private Limited is developed by a multidisciplinary team that works with the primary aim of imparting a global outreach to Made in India, world class interior products. The team is quite efficient in identifying the innovative global trends of the market and manufacturing a matchless range of products in India. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of luxury and decorative panels for both residential and commercial structures. With the constant efforts and innovative ideas of the Director, Mr. Parth Parmar, the organisation has achieved tremendous growth and success throughout the country, including exports.
Each product offered to the client matches international standards. Under the guidance and mentorship of the competent team, the workforce is motivated to customise all the exceptional variants for export, and aims to revolutionise all Indian products as per the emerging trends and needs of the 21st century.
Being one of the prominent players in the industry, the company also ensures ease of functionality and cost-effectiveness of its products. All these factors make the firm the first choice of potential buyers.
INNOVATION
AT EACH STEP
PARÉ Innovations Private Limited successfully established a pan-India presence and recognition within two years of its inception. Today, it enjoys the reputation of being an innovative and high-quality brand.
The Indian market has dealt with conventional products in the ceiling and wall decorative panel segment for over three decades. Still, this organisation identified the need for innovation in the interior goods category, and launched a range of perfect innovative products to fill the gap in the segment. The organisation also has more than three decades of experience in the interior goods category.
PARÉ Innovations Private Limited manufactured three innovative product designs, made for the first time in the world, and two product lines designed for the first time in India. All these products are manufactured in the organisation’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant based in Gujarat.
The company director takes pride in the fact that some of the products are
MANUFACTURING
conceptualised, designed, manufactured, and developed for the first time in the world. This makes the brand a true and original innovator. The employees’ hard work is unmatched, and in the last two years, the firm received accolades from Acetech - Mumbai, IIID-Lucknow, IDAC, and IGBC, among others.
OFFERING THE BEST
PARÉ Innovations Private Limited offers a waterproof, maintenance-free ceiling and wall system. It imparts a real wood feel to the space. The product is popular
in residential buildings, hotels, business hubs, club houses, and commercial structures. The products come with a tenyear warranty. Each product available at PARÉ Innovations Private Limited sustains all kinds of weather changes and is known to be all-weather. The flawless designs of interlocking panels make the area have a seamless look.
Additionally, the company has an exclusive range of luxury and decorative panels. It has designed these panels in large sizes with three dimensions to give them a natural look and feel. This innovative and robust product is widely used in villas, bungalows, and prime city areas. The range is waterproof and UV resistant and, therefore, can be used in all areas. These panels draw inspiration from the Arctic ice shelves to the Amazon rainforest, going all the way to the palaces of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Made in Europe, the beautiful blend of advanced technology and handmade components makes it an opulent and world-class product.
PARÉ INNOVATIONS
INCREASING THE AESTHETIC VALUE OF YOUR SPACE
PARÉ Innovations Private Limited is one of the best and most innovative industry players in the interior goods segment in the country. Established in March 2020, the Mumbai-based company is ISO 9001: 2015 and CE certified, and known for its opulent and world-class products
MarMo SolutionS
Set up in 2013 under the ‘Make In India’ initiative, Marmo Solutions is a pioneer in offering diverse solutions, including an array of eco-friendly and skin friendly marble and tiles chemicals and other stone-type substances. Over the years, it has built a culture well-placed to thrive amid inevitable marketplace disruptions
As an industry trailblazer, Marmo Solutions has set unparalleled quality standards to stay ahead of the curve. It delivers cutting-edge solutions to architects and builders as a market leader in marble adhesives, tile adhesives, and other stone cleaning products for residential and commercial buildings. Additionally, it offers adhesives, polishing and postpolishing solutions, cleansers, stain removers, fillers, sealers, protectors, and strengtheners, along with services to help its clients stay on top of their game. Guided by a clear mission, vision and goal, the company has been forging a fiery trail of excellence across the industry.
A PurPosE-drivEn journEy
Marmo Solutions’s journey began in 2013 and was sparked by several unresolved marble and tile repair problems encountered by labourers while executing the job. The company seized this opportunity as there was no Indian brand
that addressed all these issues under one roof. The founders also realised that only a limited number of people had a deep understanding of this industry. Gradually, they took up the responsibility of educating everyone about the correct selection and application of different products used in tile and marble installations. These reasons prompted the creation of Marmo Solutions, a one-stop shop for avant-garde ‘Made in India’ products that promise structure, strength, and durability.
PAn-indiA PrEsEncE
Over the last decade, Marmo Solutions expanded its operations throughout India. The company has established itself as the go-to partner for India’s most successful residential and commercial real estate developers. Besides real estate developers, its clients include celebrities, industrialists, and government bodies. The company also boasts overseas clients. Furthermore, the company has achieved several prestigious awards and opportunities to serve prominent
brands and industries in its ten years of operations.
sPrEAding wings globAlly
A strong vision drives the success of Marmo Solutions. The company is expanding its presence in several geographies, such as Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the UAE, to fortify its global footprint. It plans to launch new products to appeal to a wide audience. Since the customer is at the heart of its culture, it adheres to tried and tested ideas to serve its clients better. Its team members are always on the ball. They also travel to client sites to address the minutest problems related to marbles and tiles. Their persistent service, delivered with integrity, perseverance, passion, professionalism, teamwork, and commitment, has helped them earn consumer loyalty and confidence.
commiTTEd
To suPrEmE sTAndArds
Marmo Solutions follows exceptional industry standards to maintain flawless quality in all its products. The timeless appeal of its services can be attributed to its strong brand values based on commitment, international standards, and reliability. These values serve as the bedrock of its resilient culture. It has also grown through technological advancements and the dedication of a dynamic team. While keeping pace with industry and business community transformations, it has moved forward with remarkable agility, establishing itself as a frontrunner in the industry.
Marmo Solutions has successfully established itself as one of the frontrunners in the industry today. Its unique and customised solutions are highly effective and backed by extensive research and superior quality materials. By consistently delivering high-quality products, the company has achieved consistent growth organically and through partnerships.
NDIC Ems Electronics Private Limited is an Indian multinational company involved in Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) with production facilities in India and Europe. It provides a range of products in the field of designing, prototyping, testing, volume manufacturing and aftermarket services for Printed Circuit Board assembly.
ON A MISSION
The company believes in providing quality to its clients through its services, and has a niche in the deep supply chain. Providing the latest technology and continuous development in services are its goals. Sensing an opportunity in the EMS vertical, Mr. Vivek Khanna, the Managing Director, acquired a sick firm named INDIC comprising only 25 employees and, within 17 years, placed it on the global platform. Today, it employs over 900 professionals committed to providing quality products and services.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED
INDIC develops, manufactures, and delivers electronic systems for an evergrowing range of applications covering verticals such as renewable energy, IoT, EV and industrial products. It covers all stages of development, including design, prototyping, certification, production and testing. Its innovative technology and engineering design services, and global supply chain, logistics and aftermarket services are its USPs. A stringent check on the quality, testing, traceability, automated inventory management and continuous upgradation of its state-of-the-art machines have made the firm a renowned and trustworthy brand exporting 80% of its production globally. Its core technology includes surface mounted technologies, through hole assembly, automated optical inspection, 3D X-ray, wave and selective soldering, potting, vibration and environmental testing. It takes pride in attaining international certifications such as ISO/TS 169949 and ISO 9001.
BUILT WITH STRONG RELATIONS
Account management has been one of INDIC’s core strengths, resulting in customers who have been partners with INDIC for several years and continue to do so. Printed Circuit Board Assembly units are the core to every product and as its customers are in the forefront of
MANUFACTURING
developing new products/innovations, INDIC has developed strong relationships with its component vendors globally along with strong supply chain/logistics management skills. By providing its customers components at the right quality and the best price, it helps reduce the lifetime cost of the components. INDIC protects the IP for all its customers as this is the key to new product innovation. With its automated inventory management system, it can trace all components used in manufacturing process, and with technology changing rapidly,
INDIC provides services to its clients on obsolescence management, spare parts management, end-of-life management, sourcing new vendors, etc. It has a loyal workforce which has been with the company since inception. The firm believes that motivated employees, focus on quality with a zero-defect policy, meeting committed deadlines, and continuous upgradation of machinery have been the hallmark of its success over the years.
CREATING A BRIGHTER TOMORROW
Providing unwavering dependability and an unrelenting commitment to innovation have been set as the inspiration for the company’s progress. It innovates and transforms by staying on top of emerging technology and contributing to rapid growth. It allocates its resources wisely in carefully chosen domains to efficiently address its clients’ diverse demands. With years of hard work, INDIC has set a benchmark on the global market, and is rapidly advancing towards becoming a global player.
INDIC EMS ELECTRONICS
AN ACE PLAYER IN ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING SERVICES
The journey from being a sick organisation to getting its name among one of the most successful enterprises, INDIC EMS Electronics Private Limited has a story that is no less than a fairy tale. Led by a new vision from its Managing Director Vivek Khanna and years of outstanding work, it has achieved a leading market position
INFRASTRUCTURE
SURYADEV ALLOYS AND POWER
SYNONYMOUS TO STRENGTH AND QUALITY
A strong foundation is the key to the durability of any structure; and the strength of a foundation depends on the quality of materials used while laying it. With this central idea, Suryadev Alloys and Power has launched premium TMT bars for intensive and unfailing support to the under-structures of buildings
The construction sector of India has always seen advanced technologies being used to manufacture high-quality building materials. But only a few companies have been able to perfectly combine technology and design to meet the requirements of this versatile sector. Suryadev Alloys and Power is one of those names. The company is a leading name among the largest steel manufacturers in India. Over the years, it has collaborated with several international firms to engineer only the best products for Indian structures. The efforts have not stopped even after 15 years of its inception. The company strives hard to ensure that the foundation of every building remains strong and everlasting.
THE JOURNEY TO THE TOP
The recipe for Suryadev Alloys and Power’s success may be quite similar to many other firms, but its ingredients are different. The company was established
in 2007 with Chennai as its headquarters. It started with diversified operations in the power sector.
At that time, the company collaborated with Hennigsdorfer Stahl Engineering GmbH — a German company — to establish the greenfield THERMEX steel plant. This was a first in Tamil Nadu. Within a few years, Suryadev QST Re-Bars became one of the most reliable construction bars in the market.
These bars were built based on international standards and offered high durability. Later, in 2010, Suryadev Alloys and Power took another step to expand its business. This time, its focus was on the coal-powered thermal sector. The company set up a dedicated plant for power generation.
Due to its consistent efforts and impressive products, Suryadev Alloys and Power gradually turned out to be one of the biggest players in the construction bars’ manufacturing sector.
Today, the company’s exceptional products are not only making it to the
news in Tamil Nadu, but also helping it rank among the top manufacturing companies in India.
HIGH-END TECHNOLOGY
The unwavering success of Suryadev Alloys and Power comes from the systematic processes it follows to ensure quality and reliable products. Its products undergo meticulous tests and quality analysis.
For instance, each Suryadev QST bar can resist heat and fire up to 600 degrees Celsius. The bars are also corrosion resistant, thanks to international standards set by the industry giant, Hennigsdorfer Stahl Engineering GmbH. The list of features includes earthquake resistance, superior bendability, higher bonding strength, and finer-grain structure.
Suryadev QST bars are also ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified. It is not wrong to say that Suryadev TMT bars are the best choice for constructing long-lasting buildings.
PROVING ITS METTLE
Suryadev Alloys and Power caters to different clients in the domestic and industrial construction sectors. The company has also won various accolades for its outstanding performance.
In 2021, the company was recognised as the best manufacturer of TMT bars in the construction industry in Tamil Nadu at the Times Business Awards. Many reputed publications such as the Times of India have also covered the story of Suryadev’s ascent.
As for credibility, the company has also received the seal of approval from several government bodies such as the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Tamil Nadu Health Project Systems, and so on. If this success graph keeps soaring, Suryadev Alloys and Power will soon appear on the list of top players in the global construction materials industry.
elisys Medical Devices
RLimited is the first fullyintegrated manufacturing and research and development facility specialising in catheters and cardiac stent systems. It has been founded, promoted, and managed by leading technocrats, clinicians, and management professionals. It has more than 25 years of experience, 500 employees, and two factories, and has been impacting more than 300 patients per day through its medical device solutions & path-breaking technologies.
The company’s vision is to be a pioneer in the manufacturing and distribution of safe, efficacious, and affordable life-saving medical devices in India and elsewhere. Its mission is to alleviate human suffering and improve the quality of life of the patients by using cutting-edge technologies and introducing newer medical devices to bridge therapy gaps.
It has a presence in over 46 International Markets. It is a brand trusted by doctors and patients, and operates in enterprise and tech market segments.
DIVERSE RANGE OF MEDICAL GEAR
The company is constantly innovating and upgrading its portfolio to offer medical solutions for treating life-threatening heart diseases. The company develops catheters and stents for peripheral vascular, cardiovascular, neurovascular, and structural heart diseases. The broad categories of stents and catheters include guiding catheters, angiographic diagnostic catheters (femoral and radial), PTCA balloon dilatation catheters, transcatheter valves, peripheral stents, CE-marked drugeluting stent systems, and bare-metal stent systems. It also markets both OEM and domestic cardiovascular products.
WORLD-CLASS R&D AND MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
Relisys Medical Devices Limited has one manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, Telangana, and another in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. Both the facilities have a green unit and clean rooms of Class 10000. With a strong R&D backbone and a fully vertically-integrated facility to produce 100% indigenous products, it has emerged as the best OEM partner and one of the critical end-to-end solution providers to the medical devices industry. The manufacturing units are well-equipped to carry out critical operations such as laser cutting, stent designing, balloon blowing,
MANUFACTURING
drug coating, braiding, tube welding, and post-cutting. In addition, both the R&D and manufacturing teams work together for various new projects under CRAMS. They also maintain excellent postmarket clinical surveillance to get realtime information about their product’s performance in the market.
QUALITY-DRIVEN STANDARDS
Relisys Medical Devices Limited aims to be rated as the benchmark in all its areas of operation. The team is committed to developing and producing high-
quality medical devices that conform to international standards and meet customer requirements to ensure the efficacy and safety of the technology.
The company endeavours to be the industry leader. Therefore, it provides all the resources needed to implement an effective QMS, and conducts comprehensive professional training to increase the competency and knowledge of its employees. The company is recognised by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), and both of its facilities are certified under EN ISO 13485:2016.
FUNDED BY TOP PRIVATE INVESTORS
Relisys Medical Devices Limited has received 32 MM USD in two rounds of funding. The company had previously raised 6.37 MM USD from the healthcare focussed private equity firm, InvAscent in 2014. The latest to enter Relisys funder list is Siguler Guff, a specialised private market investor that has invested around 25 MM USD in the company.
RELISYS MEDICAL DEVICES LIMITED
LEADING PROVIDER OF HIGH-QUALITY MEDICAL DEVICE SOLUTIONS
Founded in 1997, Hyderabad-based Relisys Medical Devices Limited is one of India’s and the world’s key manufacturers of innovative cardiovascular medical devices. Under the able leadership of CEO and Director, Mr. Navin Rajpal, the company has risen to 18th rank among its 159 active competitors
MANUFACTURING
SHREE SATI PIPE FITTINGS
OFFERING LONG-LASTING PLUMBING SOLUTIONS
Since its beginnings about two decades ago, Shree Sati Pipe Fittings has been delivering the highest quality products and services to its customers. From tiling to pipes, its catalog has ensured to include all the sanitaryware needs of its customers. No wonder Shree Sati Pipe Fittings is now a household name in Chennai
The greatest businesspeople know that you need passion and perseverance for success in business. Two brothers, Mr. Raju Jalan and Mr. Ajay Jalan, had these qualities ingrained in their personalities when they together started a business.
The result is a trusted brand namely Shree Sati Pipe Fittings. Situated at a prime location in Chennai, Shree Sati Pipe Fittings is the city’s most trusted bath fittings and plumbing needs store. It has been providing end-to-end buying and installation services to homes and offices for more than two decades now.
BUILT FROM GROUND UP
The organization was incorporated in 2000 with the name Shree Sati Pipe Fittings. The two founder brothers have been running the organization successfully since then. Mr. Raju Jalan is the Chief Executive Officer, while Mr. Ajay Jalan is the Chief Operating Officer of the company. The leadership
of the organization also includes other members of the Jalan family. Mr. Chahath Jalan and Mr. Apporv Jalan are bringing a fresh perspective to the board, which ultimately leads to innovative strategies for the business. The firm started with its founders reaching out to clients and providing them with the highest-quality products available in the market and all-in-one customer services. The list of clients kept increasing over time.
Today, the company has served thousands of people with its uncompromising quality and exemplary customer service standards.
TAKING GIANT STRIDES
The products catalog of Shree Sati Pipe Fittings includes products from worldclass brands such as Kohler, Hindware, Jaquar, Artize, Kajaria, Vitra, Blackberry Tiles Pvt Ltd, Queo, Somany, Simero Ceramics, and Emcer. Thanks to its huge repository of high-quality and luxury products, Shree Sati Pipe Fittings has become a one-stop shop for all types of
tiling and plumbing needs. Starting from bathroom products, the brand is now also offering products from electrical switches and modular kitchen categories.
CUSTOMIZED CUSTOMER SERVICES
Shree Sati Pipe Fittings has established itself as a go-to place for all-thingsbathware. Its massive success can be attributed to the highly dedicated and customized customer service offered by the store. As soon as customers enter the premises, they can experience a unique touch thoughtfully given by the brand. Customer service experts are dedicated to every customer to give enough service time to the latter. They assure the best possible experience by talking to the customers, understanding their needs, and then offering products that suit their needs.
THE STORY OF RESOUNDING SUCCESS
Shree Sati Pipe Fittings has been giving a luxury touch to bathware for more than 20 years. A small local store is now a recognized brand in one of the biggest cities in India. This should be enough to know that the brand has succeeded in garnering trust from its clients and customers.
The success story of Shree Sati Pipe Fittings can also be told in numbers. Since its inception, the firm has made around 25 thousand sales. The brand has fulfilled all the sanitaryware needs of around 1,700 families from Chennai and other places. Along with customers, big brands and institutions have also recognized the work done by Shree Sati Pipe Fittings.
The Economic Times has awarded Shree Sati Pipe Fittings with the Times Best Business Awards. Many reputed publications have also mentioned the success story of Shree Sati Pipe Fittings on their business pages. However, this is just the beginning of its success story as it is bound to scale new heights in the coming times.
Prisma AI envisions a technologically empowered society which realizes the potential of AI and has developed its Gryphos platform with the same intent. It specializes in predictive decision science, specifically visual AI-based applications for body behavioral analysis, sentiment analysis, optical character recognition(OCR), as well as image, video, face and object recognition.
It creates solutions that help businesses with security surveillance, smart parking systems, facial recognition, license plate recognition, etc.
WAY TO SUCCESS
Prisma AI started with text recognition, until 1982 when four ex-IBMers started it as Prisma Global GmbH with just two customers. Gradually, the company gained more customers. Finally, it entered a partnership with Patni Computer Systems in 2003 that changed the company’s focus from text to image recognition. The significant turn of events started in 2008 when Prisma AI developed its patented algorithm, Gryphos, to standardise an image recognition operating system platform. For the next few years, the company was able to get deals with the East German Police and Interpol.
In 2017, Prisma AI Corp. Pte Ltd. was incorporated with its headquarters in Singapore. Within two years, the company witnessed impressive growth with significant advances in AI and machine learning (ML) enabled expansion of visual recognition solutions and better training of AI models and accuracy.
Prisma AI has expanded its network to other countries such as the US. The company plans to grow by signing more production partners in various geographies. Looking at the way it is thriving, it will not be long before Prisma AI will cater to clients all over the globe.
BANKING ON TECH AND EXPERIENCE
Prisma AI has been in the field for more than 15 years. It gives the company deep insight into the industry’s needs and challenges.
Its technical excellence and strong leadership help the business thrive and be future-ready. For Prisma AI, it is all about delivering the best to customers while maintaining confidence. The strong commitment and smart working strategies have enabled Prisma AI to accomplish
major milestones.
PLAYING THE BIG GAME
Prisma AI believes in the potential of artificial intelligence, not just for corporates but for society. Its applications like automatic number plate recognition, security surveillance, illegal object detection and smart parking systems have helped police departments, banks airports to name a few.
The company also has an in-depth understanding of how AI solutions can help other sectors such as finance,
aviation, education, infrastructure and manufacturing. Some companies that have profited from its state-of-the-art solutions are Adani Group, H&M, IKEA, Maharashtra Police, Lufthansa, McDonald’s, MercedesBenz, Air India, NSE and NPCI.
MAKING EFFORTS IN THE REAL WORLD
When it comes to creating real-life impact, Prisma AI is taking steps now and then. For example, the company recently collaborated with The Holy Spirit Hospital and hosted a blood donation drive wherein the employees actively participated for the greater good.
Prisma AI also organised a relief and assistance drive for the women of Pole village in Palghar district in Maharashtra. During the event, representatives from Prisma AI distributed menstrual-hygiene products to women. They also offered free eye check-ups and prescription glasses for those who needed them. With such initiatives, the company contributes to helping people and society at large.
PRISMA AI
ACING AHEAD WITH AI
Over the past few years, the tech industry has realised that artificial intelligence is here to make significant changes. Prisma AI knew and started with text recognition, and as it grew, its goals regarding visual AI-based solutions have grown bigger and more futuristic
EMERGING
SPAY INDIA
CREATING FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE
There are umpteen ways of helping the needy. However, financially enabling them is the quickest and most effective method, as it opens other desired avenues for them. Spay India, an emerging Fintech brand, is doing the same by empowering the migrant population and other underserved communities in India
The fintech sector is one of the most thriving sectors of the Indian economy. It has received maximum investment, seen the highest growth, and contributed the most to the economy. However, inclusion of the marginalized is still a far cry in the realm of banking and finance. Spay India is dedicated to changing this trend.
A well-known brand in the fintech market, Spay India focuses on serving communities that have been historically ignored by the banking sector. The brand offers many essential financial services such as insurance, Aadhaar enabled payment systems, recharge, bill payments, money transfers, travel bookings, and other benefits.
There are several fintech unicorns that are running successfully in India. Spay India differentiates itself from others by running its business with a mission – to help accredit every underserved community in society. The company enables money transfers to people who
do not even hold bank accounts.
RANGE OF SERVICES
The mission to serve each customer group in the economy involves financial transactions. Understanding this, Spay India has built its platform as a hub for multiple financial services, such as, domestic money transfers, bill payments, AEPS, insurance, micro-ATM, POS, recharges, and other services that help consumers daily.
Many people in the economy’s lower middle and lower class are unbanked. Therefore, working at a community level rather than relying solely on technology is essential to improve their financial condition. Keeping this in mind, Spay India has built a massive network of distributors.
BRAIN BEHIND THE BRAND
It is often said that a brand is as good as the team working behind it. If that is true, Spay India is destined to become a great brand. Nikhilesh Tiwari, a well-known
name in the fintech world, is the CEO and Founder of the company. Along with his team, he has built a strong brand in a brief span.
Spay India might be young, but its team has an admirable experience of quality work in the sector. Its CEO has 16 years of experience in the sales and growth departments in the fintech sector.
Nikhilesh Tiwari started as a field agent for fintech companies, converting telecom shops into mini banks to help retailers get services in their neighbourhoods. Hard work and sheer determination helped him rise through the ranks and reach the top level in the industry.
THE STORY OF BRAND’S INCEPTION
The journey of Spay India started in 2018 when Nikhilesh Tiwari left his previous company and decided to start his venture in the emerging fintech industry. He soon met Sunil Dhawan — the Co-Founder of Spay India — and planted the seed of what would soon become one of the most reliable financial service-providing startups in India.
The founders had the required experience, and they knew the problems in the BFSI sector that remained to be solved by any company. So, they built a team of hard-working professionals and launched Spay Technology Private Limited – the registered company behind Spay India.
SERIES OF MILESTONES
Spay India has achieved multiple milestones. The company is doing business worth Rs 1,300 crore monthly by serving more than 15 million people. Within a short span of around four years, it has grown its agent base to more than 40,000. Recently, the brand was given the “Top 10 Best Fintech - 2022” award by the CIO Insight Magazine. The CEO of Spay India also received the Indian Icon Award 2021-22 for bringing dynamism to work.
EMERGING
echnology has changed the way we live, work, and communicate. There is an unprecedented demand for data flow on a global scale. Proving its tagline true, Vertiv has a team of architects enabling a continuous flow of data.
TThe brand today has become synonymous with innovation and growth in the field of digital operations and infrastructure. There are more than 24,000 employees of Vertiv working across the globe to serve a range of clients, including Alibaba, Alstom, America Movil, AT&T, Equinix, Ericsson, Reliance, Verizon, Vodafone, and many more.
ONE-STOP SHOP PORTFOLIO
Vertiv has a reach across more than 130 countries. Last year, it made sales of around $5 billion. A major unique selling proposition of the company is its onestop portfolio of services that caters to the digital needs of several multi-billion public companies.
The portfolio has four segments: Power Management, Thermal Management, Integrated Rack Solutions, and Services. Some of the products are offered by the parent brand, while others are offered by Vertiv companies such as Energy Labs, Avocent, Liebert, Netsure, and others.
NOTABLE HISTORY OF VERTIV
Vertiv has been successfully serving its clients for many decades now. Its history is filled with a great number of acquisitions and mergers. The company started in 1946 when Ralph Liebert founded Capitol Refrigeration Industries – a precursor to Liebert Corporation.
After 19 years of a successful run, Liebert Corporation became the industry’s first manufacturer of a computer room air conditioning (CRAC) unit. As cash flowed in, Liebert Corporation decided to acquire Programmed Power Corporation and expanded its business of uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
Emerson, already an industry leader at the time, acquired Liebert Corporation in 1987. In the upcoming decades, Emerson kept acquiring successful businesses, including Marconi, Knürr AG, Avocent, Energy Labs and Geist. In 2016, Vertiv was launched as a standalone business to expand its capabilities in the designing, building, and service sectors. After a business combination with GS Acquisition
ASIA’S GREATEST BRAND 2023
IT & TELECOM
Holdings in 2020, the company became a public-listed company and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Since then, it has been creating opportunities for its employees, clients and investors.
AWARD-WINNING WORK
The brand is widely recognised as an industry leader by clients, peers and institutions. Every year, Vertiv gets honoured with awards given by major industry bodies such as Frost & Sullivan, the CEO Forum Group, and others.
Within the past 12 months, the critical
work of Vertiv has been recognised and awarded many times. In 2022, it got the Product Leadership Award from Frost & Sullivan. The company applauded Vertiv for addressing the pain points and evolving needs of clients.
In 2021, the company bagged many industry-wide awards such as the Competitive Strategy Leadership Award, Customer Value Leadership Award, China Excellence in HR Digital, 100 Employer Excellence of China, EMEA Prefabricated Modular Data Centre Industry Excellence in Best Practices, and many others.
COMMITTED TO ENVIRONMENT
Vertiv is committed to creating energyefficient designs for increasing the longevity of products without impacting the environment. The company is in the process of creating and launching a comprehensive strategy to decode, manage, and control the impact on the environment created by its operations and solutions.
VERTIV
PROVIDING CRITICAL DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE WORLD
The digital world heavily relies on data. Realising its significance, Vertiv, a digital infrastructure and solutions provider, ensures uninterrupted digital operations for the world’s biggest companies. Today, it has become synonymous with innovation and growth in the field of digital operations and infrastructure
VERTEX (GROUP) GLOBAL SERVICES
COMMITTED TO INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, ORIGINALITY, AND GROWTH
Established in 2016 by the first-generation inspiring entrepreneur, Mr. Gagan Arora, in Florida, USA, Vertex Group helps empower its clients’ operations with global and hands-on solutions at an optimised cost through research, design, and personalised development. Today, it is ranked 19th among the 50 most innovative companies
Vertex Group is recognised globally for its diverse portfolio of services such as Managed Services, Staff Augmentation, Performance Marketing, Events and Conferences, more than 10,000 learning courses, Human Resource Outsourcing, Support Services, Retail Mapping, Cloud Services, AI and Digital Edtech platforms, Machine Learning, and Technological Infrastructure. Starting with only two people in a small garage, the company has now spread its wings to seven countries with over 4,000 people, received more than 100 industry awards, and has been ranked as Best Place to Work multiple times under Mr. Arora’s leadership.
The spectacular journey has been worthwhile and magnificent with a list full of prolific alliances with nationbuilding stakeholders, government establishments, and satisfied clients across the globe. These partners have acknowledged the company as a single
window end-to-end execution specialist that understands the clients’ needs and provides a personalised solution. Today, Vertex Group is dominating the industry as a leader in the techno-led business solution space.
FACILITATING OTHER BUSINESSES
To grow and succeed, every business needs to have a regular client base, and for that, Vertex Group has always prioritised its clients. The company’s customer satisfaction has always been greater than 90% year on year since inception. The team at Vertex Group makes continuous efforts to bring out the best solutions and automate processes to attain success. It provides unique and new-age technopowered solutions to give the best services to clients according to their requirements. Vertex Group believes that the primary reason behind its long-standing success is the growth of its clients’ businesses. From company registration to business optimization to new age tech-solutions, Vertex Group offers every service, which
differentiates the company from others. The dominant offices of Vertex Group are in India, the UK, the Philippines, the US, Nepal, Africa, the Middle East, with Australia and Canada coming soon. More than 3,000 companies exclusively rely on its services to grow their businesses.
The company has also launched worldwide its service verticals, namely Vertex (Group) Global Services, Vertex Next, Vertex Learning, Vertex Tech, and Vertex Cosmos, each working in different domains of the industry with its specialised functions.
CONDUCIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT
Mr. Gagan Arora’s vision is to keep on increasing the company size and focus on the growth of Vertex Group while fostering a strong work culture that values teamwork, collaboration and creativity. He believes that diversity and inclusion are key to our success. Therefore, Vertex Group has achieved global recognition for its outstanding employee satisfaction.
In addition, the company hires speciallyabled workers in every department. The workforce is result-oriented and focuses on delivering successful results without compromising quality. In the last survey conducted by BestPlacestoWork.Org, the Employee Satisfaction at the company was given 94%, which talks volumes about the employee experience at Vertex.
ARRAY OF ACCOLADES
Honoured as the Best Place to Work for three years in a row, Vertex leverages the change to create value and shared success for its customers, people, shareholders, partners, and communities. Fruitful alliances with nation-building stakeholders, central and state government partnerships, and investors and clients across the spectrum of industry have recognised Vertex as a single-window, end-to-end execution specialist for a gamut of digital services and human resource augmentation needs.
EMERGING
ampus Activewear contributes 15% market share in India’s branded sports footwear industry. It is a name synonymous with style, comfort, and durability. The brand relies on innovation and technology to ensure that every pair it manufactures gives its customers happy and healthy feet for a long time.
The major success of Campus Activewear is the comprehensive portfolio of products, colours, choices, price range, and an attractive product value proposition. In addition, its products strive to improve the user’s flexibility, speed, and safety to provide comfort at all times, and reduce the risk of injury and damage.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Hari Krishan Agarwal, works with a mission and objective to make Campus Activewear the most preferred sports and athleisure brand in India, while being an integral part of the daily active lifestyle of every Indian.
AN ENCOURAGING WORK ENVIRONMENT
Campus Activewear is a celebrated brand, and the company’s director accredits its team of professionals for the growth and profitability of the company. Each member of the firm puts the company’s benefit before anything else, and this togetherness and dedication have turned Campus Activewear into the most prominent sports and activewear brand. The workforce at the company is determined to offer the best technologies and designs to customers. The people work as a team to succeed in all their endeavours.
All the employees’ efforts and unique ideas are put together to bring something marvelous to the consumers. With their innovative thought process, the team brings forward out-of-the-box ideas and offers unexpected results. The senior leaders in the organisation expect the teams to work with integrity and follow work ethics. They believe that a positive environment at the office is crucial for the company’s and employees’ growth. Bringing out solutions even in the most challenging situations is what the team thrives for, and their unity marks the firm’s victory.
A RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE CITIZEN
There is no denying that an organisation
grows because of society, and Campus Activewear also believes in giving back to society and contributing to its growth. For the CSR activities towards the upliftment of society and development of the country, Campus Activewear has partnered with Goonj, Prayas, and Clothes Box Foundation.
The company takes pride in utilising 100% of its CSR budget for three consecutive years. Recently, Campus Activewear, in collaboration with the Clothes Box Foundation, organised a shoe distribution drive, Happy Walkingin.
The employees distributed shoes to more than 7,000 underprivileged children to make walking exciting for them.
ATTAINING BIG MILESTONES
Campus Activewear became an exclusive sports brand in 2005, and over the years, has achieved some gigantic milestones. In 2011, the company made a revenue of Rs. 100 crore. Popular actor Varun Dhawan became its brand ambassador in 2015. The year 2017 was a year of celebration for the brand, as it achieved the target of making Rs. 500 crores in revenue.
The company opened 16 new retail outlets in the country, incubated directto-consumer distribution channels, and forayed into the e-commerce business with leading online marketplaces. In 2021, with a view to expand the company’s operations, it set up India’s largest sole plant in Ganaur, Sonipat, and made a revenue of Rs. 700 crore.
All these achievements make this company a well-recognised name in the Indian market.
CAMPUS ACTIVEWEAR
UNITING COMFORT WITH FASHION
India’s renowned sports brand, Campus Activewear, established in 2005, revolutionised the market with its lifestyle-oriented sports and athleisure products for the entire family. With years of superb performance, the brand today enjoys the status of the largest sports footwear brand in the country
EMERGING
LIFESTYLE
PADAM INTERIORS
CREATING VISUALLY-APPEALING SPACES
Padams Group of companies is one of the most distinguished brands in India, offering top-notch interior execution and design services. It was founded in 1992 by Mr. Shankar Kularia, his brothers, Mr. Kanaram Kularia and Mr. Dharamchand Kularia, under the guidance of their father, the Late Sant Shri Padamaramji Kularia
Fulfilling the dreams of thousands of people for over 3 decades, Padams Group of companies has created inspiring spaces and delivered solutions to the clients within the budget and timeline. The customer-centric approach of the firm has helped it reach the pinnacle of success. It has created exclusive spaces for great companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Rolex, Facebook, Citi bank, Gartner, Northern Trust, Barclays, Bloomberg, Goldman, Mercedese Benz and many more. In the year 2021, Padams Group of companies designed 5 million sq. ft. area and aims to accomplish such milestones every year. Headquartered in Mumbai, it has 11 offices across India covering major cities such as Delhi, Gurgaon, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Vizag, Trivandrum, etc. It endeavours to customise each project as per the customer’s vision and tries to redefine the niche with their expertise. It’s objective is to create beautifully crafted interiors for
the clients. It is striving hard to break its own records to become the India’s leading interior execution and design company in near future.
TRANSFORMING DULL SPACES INTO STYLISH POWERHOUSES
Padams Group of companies provides seamless experience to the clients while designing their homes or workspaces. The team is passionately dedicated and devoted to live up to the expectations of the clients and to turn their dream project into a reality. The major goal of the company is to make people feel content and proud to live, work, shop or socialise in the spaces created and designed by it. Above all, the team delivers excellent quality at reasonable prices, well before time.
SENSITIVITY TOWARDS ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
The company prioritises sustainable development over everything. A great emphasis is given to use recycled high quality products, material efficiency, and
green building materials. Its contribution towards the brighter future of the country is undeniable. It provides education to girls, free digital education to thousands of underprivileged children in partnership with the government. The company is also a part of large-scale tree plantation drives, GauSeva initiative, medical camps, etc.
FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION
The interior designers at Padams Group of companies work diligently to incorporate end-to-end processes — starting from coordination with the first point of contact to handing the keys over to the customer has helped Padams Group of companies to be known as an Exclusive Turnkey Solutions Company in India. The company’s enormous growth is accredited to its adept workers and consistent clients. The highly competent workforce contributes their sweat and blood to achieve customer satisfaction. The designers guide the clients throughout the implementation process to turn their dream project into reality.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
Padams Group of companies has bagged a series of awards for its outstanding performance in the field of interior design as well as for the steps taken by it towards making the world a better place. Some of these awards include the Bharat Gaurav Award 2022 in Delhi by Governor, the Bharat Youth Award 2021, Pride of Rajasthan Award 2022 by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Leading Role in Industry Award by Zee and the E-kaksha (Online Education) award. The continuous and comprehensive efforts made by the firm has also helped it to have more than 5 globally recognised accreditations, including ISO certification 9001, 14001, and OHSAS 18001:2007, etc. With the mission to mould the future of India, this firm is leaving no stone unturned to attain the unattainable and intends to win many such awards in the coming years.
EMERGING
very homeowner who wants to revamp their home knows how hard it is to get imported furniture. First, the options are very few. And second, it is almost impossible to get your favorite piece of furniture at budgetfriendly prices. For this reason, Royaloak has become a famous brand for furniture enthusiasts as it offers international furniture at competitive prices. Royaloak opened its first store in Bengaluru. Today, it has stores in major cities. For instance, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Pune, and Guwahati have Royaloak showrooms that offer furniture for homes, offices, and outdoors.
A GLOBAL COLLECTION
Royaloak furniture has one of the largest furniture collections in India. The brand operates in more than 130 locations and runs on various business models such as franchisee, wholesale, online, and retail. The furniture collection at Royaloak stores is designed in countries like the United States of America, Italy, Turkey, and Malaysia. The internationally designed furniture is popular among customers as they like to give their homes and offices a global touch. As one of the prominent players in the furniture industry, the brand offers a blend of complete artistry with creative designs. Through its comprehensive range of Americandesigned sofa recliners to bed collections, it has brought in premium furniture with high-quality materials. Customers can choose their favorite furniture from a vast collection that includes more than 200 sofa sets, 100+ dining sets, 100+ bedrooms, and a range of outdoor and office furniture. All Royaloak products and designs are personally handpicked by inhouse designers to maintain the quality. The brand’s competitive advantage lies in remarkable craftsmanship and innovative designs. With its unique designs, a high degree of comfort, and quality materials, the brand strives to become a style statement for people. Even though a large part of its collection is designed in foreign countries, Royaloak offers incredibly priced furniture.
A LONG JOURNEY
Royaloak started its journey in 2010 and became Bangalore’s most prominent furniture store within a year. After getting a positive response from the customers,
LIFESTYLE
the management soon decided to add an international style range of products. Customers welcomed the new range, and Royaloak became the largest furniture range seller in south India. The brand crossed the milestone of opening ten showrooms in the country, including an iconic store in Bangalore. Within five years of operations, Royaloak became the best Recliner Sofa Retailer in the country. From 10 to 15 and 15 to 25 cities, Royaloak kept expanding its reach to new cities, and the customers loved its global style of products. Today, Royaloak is one
of India’s biggest furniture brands, with millions of satisfied customers.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Millions of individuals and organizations swear by the quality of Royaloak furniture, and the soaring popularity of its furniture designs has fetched several awards. The brand received Times Business Awards for the “Best Imported Furniture Retailer” for two consecutive years in 2018 and 2019. In the next few years, it expanded and open more than a hundred stores, and also received global recognition. In 2021, Royaloak bagged many awards, including the Best Excellence Award, International Furniture Leadership Award, International Interior Design Award, and the Best International Furniture Retailer recognition.
The brand is emerging as a global leader in the furniture industry. It seeks to elevate customers’ lifestyles with its wide range of products. Along with that, it also strives to create growth opportunities for its business partners and employees.
ROYALOAK FURNITURE
BRINGING AESTHETICS TO EVERY HOME
Elegant furniture is integral to beautifying spaces. However, not everyone gets to buy well-designed and sturdy furniture for their homes or offices. It happens because of a lack of options. Royaloak is solving this problem by offering a massive collection of internationally-designed furniture
FASTEST GROWING BRANDS 2022-23
The founder of three fast-growing companies, serial entrepreneur Paul Lewis suggests three simple rules to turn one’s ideas into fastest-growing brands: when in doubt, aim high; do not start a business, solve a problem; and always go all-in on your business. The other leaders responsible for building outstanding brands have similar, equally interesting rules. The forthcoming pages not only carry the journeys of a few fastest-growing brands, but also the rules that helped these brands get this status. The latest list of outperforming brands of India from AsiaOne Magazine celebrates the companies that have been progressing consistently, helping the Indian and global economies reach a strong position. This exclusive list has been put together after examining hundreds of brands and a detailed perusal by experts
BLUEBERRY SEMICONDUCTORS
SIMULATING THE FUTURE WITH INNOVATION
A celebrated name in the technology space, Blueberry Semiconductors offer tech-oriented services for manufacturing semiconductors based on ASIC/System-on-Chip (SoC) design verification, analog design and layout, and product engineering powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence
Nitin Naik, the CEO of Blueberry Semiconductors, and his team members have a collective experience of over a hundred years in this industry. Based in Bengaluru, Blueberry Semiconductors is designed exclusively on the Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) design and verification domain. The firm works with the aim of providing solutions to customers as per their requirements. Each solution is well-researched and executed with a customised methodology. The company also creates re-usable IPs whenever required. It guides its clients to develop quality products that are cost-effective and delivered within the timeline. On offer are affordable software and solutions that scale from the lab to the production floor. It believes that consistency, accountability, and customer satisfaction are the top business fundamentals for its success and growth.
CONQUERING CHALLENGES
The major challenge any semiconductor company faces is the need for an ‘industry ready’ talent pool. To overcome this issue, Blueberry Semiconductors has designed unique orientation projects that help and guide young engineers to learn and acquire experience quickly, and be ready for typical customer projects. Each engineer is mentored individually for technical and soft skills during the process. Furthermore, in today’s scenario, where the complexity of the chip and product being developed has scaled up in a non-linear fashion, the cycle time, instead of increasing, has shortened. Therefore, the team of experts at the company put in their efforts to create innovative solutions and develop intuitive tools to meet these challenges. It has an informed and learned workforce with specialised knowledge of chip design,
hardware, and embedded software.
WHERE CUSTOMER RULES THE ROOST
Nitin Naik believes that a satisfied customer can boost the company’s growth and success. Engineers do not hesitate to solve the most complex problems for their clients. The founders have a track record of incubating and growing customer accounts. Their business model is quite flexible, supporting right from staff augmentation, Onsite, and Offsite ODC to Build Operate Transfer model. The current engagement period with their top 5 customers is more than two years. Providing the best, timely, and most affordable services to clients drives the company ahead.
TOWARDS A BRIGHT FUTURE
In a brief span, Blueberry Semiconductors has become a consistently growing startup company with revenue $25 million. It has served the most prominent clients for technically advanced projects in core industries such as aerospace, automotive, defense, and 5G. It has acquired projects
from Israel and Asia-Pacific region, and set up an office at Yokohama, Japan. The company also has an office in San Hose, US, and long working trusted customers from the country. To contribute to ‘Make in India’, it has partnered with the defence force to fulfill its requirements. It envisions being a $100 million Indian technology company soon. Our Tier 2 City expansion model has strengthened the engineering work force across Nagpur, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.
RUH EARLY YEARS
NURTURING YOUNG MINDS
Ruh Early Years, located in Race Course, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), India, is a premium co-ed nursery and primary school that offers excellent preschool education to children up to 6 years of age. Since its inception in 2021, this progressive educational institution has taken a unique approach to teaching, considering the many different stages of a child’s development. In addition to its research-based pedagogy, its curriculum reflects the best teaching methods from Harvard’s Early Childhood Education Research
The name Ruh is inspired by the Sanskrit word meaning to grow, sprout, or be born. The institution has been launched by Shree Saraswathi Vidhyaah Mandheer (SSVM) Institutions, a group of residential coeducational schools based in India. In a short time frame, Ruh Early Years has carved a niche for itself under the exceptional leadership of its cofounder, Ms Srisha Mohandoss, who is also the Director of Education at SSVM Institutions, Coimbatore. Ruh Early Years is home to a vibrant community of young, curious learners. The institution has carefully designed a safe, friendly, and secure environment for infants to move, explore, and learn. Simply put, it maintains a positive vibe that enhances the child’s overall development. It offers
its toddlers a fun, interactive learning experience where they are encouraged to explore, discover and display their creativity. Furthermore, the institution is not confined to one pedagogy. Research-based pedagogical theories are incorporated to inspire teaching styles and keep up with the changing times.
MOULDING INDEPENDENT LEARNERS
Ruh Early Years offers a safe and stimulating environment with myriad opportunities where children can learn new things and grow every day under the guidance of caring teachers who know how to respond to children’s emotional needs. The school offers different fun and educational activities, including singing, music and storytelling for children, which are vital to their intellectual development. Moreover, structured times for study, play
and eating, shape a toddler’s behaviour, which in turn benefits parents at home.
A LEARNER-CENTRED ENVIRONMENT
Ruh Early Years has built an impressive reputation for adhering to the best practices adopted by its founders and experienced curriculum developers. The school’s customised learning programme, growth-focused mindset, and specially trained and qualified teachers set it apart from other primary schools in Coimbatore. The school’s unique instructional methodology helps learners achieve academic and social success by expanding their horizons. Ruh’s parent-toddler programme, for example, has been specially designed to help parents prepare their toddlers for their early years. This unique programme includes experimental sessions thrice
a week for infants and pre-toddlers between 6 months and 24 months and their parents. Moreover, each child receives the highest level of support and guidance with the perfect educator-child ratio. For the Parent-Toddler Program, the ratio of child-to-educator is 10:1, and the programme lasts 1.5 hours.
Featuring a warm and welcoming environment for parents as well as toddlers, the institution takes every measure to help children develop their social skills. Since the toddlers get a chance to interact with each other, they form friendships that last lifelong. Furthermore, the programme encourages sensory play, art, music, storytime and physical movement, along with a wide range of child-focused activities so that children can develop a positive attitude towards learning in the company of
their parents. Likewise, Ruh Bridge is a programme that promotes exploration of the learning environment through various theme-based practical activities. For kids aged 2-3 years, this programme uses creative techniques, such as art, music and sensory experiences, to encourage curiosity and eagerness to learn. The Ruh Bridge serves as the school’s first drop-off programme for children as they embark on an independent adventure. The programme consists of three 1.5 to 3-hour sessions a week. The school encourages parents to accompany their children at the start of their adventure and gradually let them become more independent and confident.
Additionally, the school offers the Early Years (EY) programme, which is divided into three parts: EY 1 for kids aged 3-4; EY 2 for kids aged 4 to 5; and EY 3 for kids aged 5 to 6 years.
A thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor environment allows young minds to spend about 3.5 hours in EY1 and about 4.5 hours in EY2 and EY3, five days a week, engaging in educator-led and childdirected activities to foster independence. These programmes have nine focus areas, including literacy, arithmetic, science, sustainability, art and design.
GUIDING NEW PARENTS
Ruh Early Learning not only moulds young minds, but also assists parents-to-be or new parents in consciously preparing for their baby’s healthy development during pregnancy and after birth. The Prenatal and Postnatal programmes organised by the institution provide parents-to-be and new parents with workshops, classes, and group gatherings to ensure healthy and happy childhoods for their children. Parents enrolled in the New Parents programmes receive educational sessions guided by experts.
OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF KIDS
Ruh Early Years encourages each child to be independent and creative in their own unique way. In addition, the school promotes language acquisition, sensory development, and social awareness to make children future-ready. It also focuses on developing verbal and gross motor skills in addition to strengthening the child’s muscle strength.
The institution understands that children are naturally curious, and their curiosity drives them to explore things around them and ask questions. The way they think and act is shaped by their interactions with the people around them. Considering these factors, the school provides young learners with adequate exposure and freedom to develop selfworth, self-awareness, and the ability to measure and own their growth by asking questions, forming opinions, making choices, and reflecting on their work.
A RESEARCH-BASED CURRICULUM
Ruh Early Years’ curriculum draws on successful practices of early childhood education from around the globe. This forward-thinking institution incorporates the best practices with its unique child development programmes to create a progressive and contemporary curriculum for shaping the next generation. The future-focused school also emphasises evidence-based research since it believes adherence to a singular approach may hinder children’s overall growth.
MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
Ruh Early Years aims to shape the ethical citizens of tomorrow by providing an inspiring environment for them to learn and grow. The endeavours of this early learning community are centred on maintaining a healthy and green environment. The school approaches sustainability in three distinct ways: its daily operations, community outreach programmes, and preschool curriculum.
The school campus itself is a heritage building that has been renovated and refurbished for little learners to learn in a soothing environment. The school’s management believes that a joyous sense of community and solidarity around the globe is essential in a rapidly changing world. Thus, the school’s pedagogy promotes resilience, adaptability and courage, which enables it to foster innovative community connections.
POLLUCARE ENGINEERS INDIA
WORKING TOWARDS THE GOAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP
Dr. S Saibabu, with his decades of experience in the field of Environmental Engineering, started Pollucare Engineers India to provide world-class pollution control measures to industrial and infrastructure development projects. The strategic business approach of the company results in lower risk and protection of humans and the environment
With a focus on sustainability, Pollucare Engineers India offers a range of consultancy and affiliation services to organisations wanting to adopt eco-friendly practices. The company acts as a partner to various firms and provides them with end-toend solutions related to environmental protection. One of India’s fastestgrowing companies, with offices in India and Bangladesh, the company provides services in environmental consultancy and affiliation services, turnkey projects, operations and maintenance services, utility and facility management services, and project management consultancy. It also has environment and food testing laboratories.
PROFICIENT WORKFORCE
With a strong team of around 800 employees, Pollucare Engineers India has completed more than 400 projects for about 500 satisfied clients. It has made its presence felt with the help of a team of expert engineers with international exposure and skills. The company is not only technologically advanced, but also provides expertise at an affordable cost. Its engineers work on the QCDR methodology, i.e., Quality, Cost, Delivery, and Response, which makes it an efficient and effective company to combat the environmental problems faced by various organisations. Through thorough knowledge and research, the workforce brings up solutions and helps the clients make concrete and correct decisions.
DISTINCTIVE SERVICES
Pollucare Engineers India is considered as an ace provider of turnkey project services for water, wastewater, and air pollution control measures. All the
designs and systems used by the firm are in accordance with the CPCB guidelines. In addition, the company is a critical player in offering full-fledged operation and maintenance services for ETP, STP, WTP, RO, ZLD, and Evaporator plants with skilled and semi-skilled operators.
Pollucare Engineers India even conducts tests like air quality, noise, water, and wastewater analyses, and soil sampling. Its state-of-the-art, NABLrecognised, laboratory performs these tests to provide authentic reports to clients. The company has a professional team to collect the sample, test, and analyse the generated reports to check environmental compliances. Their guidance helps the companies reduce pollution and implement policies to use alternative energy resources. Overall, the firm helps all clients make informed decisions for the betterment of their business and the ecosystem.
NOTICEABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Pollucare Engineers India has captured
the market and gained a lot of recognition with its innovative and exceptional services. The company was consecutively listed among the top 10 Environmental Consultants in 2019 and 2020. It was also rated as the ‘Fastest Growing Indian Environmental Company in India’ by National Economic Development Forum for the year 2021. Dr. S Saibabu also earned laurels for his company as he was recognised as the Emerging Entrepreneur in 2021 by The Economic Times.
SS LAW
PROVIDING HIGH-END QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES
Dr. Adv. Sudhindra Bhat founded SS Law in 2013 to provide the best legal solutions to clients. The firm has an experience of about ten years in the legal industry and is considered as one of the most reliable law firms. The team at SS Law firmly believes in approaching all matters with integrity and prioritising the client’s needs and interests
SS Law is a full-service law firm providing its clients legal aid in matters related to criminal law, family/ divorce, civil, IPR, personal injury, property, corporate law, arbitration, taxation services and mediation. The law firm also deals in laws related to anti-corruption and white-collar crimes. The company provides advisory in the cases related to investigations by the customs and regulatory authorities such as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Enforcement Directorate, and Narcotics Control Bureau. In case of any investigation, the firm helps its clients in briefing and debriefing and has detailed discussions with the concerned authorities to close the case.
A GOAL-ORIENTED TEAM
The dedicated team of lawyers working under the guidance of Dr. Adv. Sudhindra Bhat has contributed to building a loyal customer base. They strive hard to provide a hassle-free experience to all their clients, consider their customers’ views, and find solutions to all their legal troubles. An action plan is prepared well in advance, and solutions and strategies are discussed with the clients to win the case. The team has all the necessary proficiency to assist the customer and handle drafting deeds and agreement services, capital markets and securities law, human resources and employment law, property and real estate, family dispute counselling, taxation, arbitration, industrial designs and patents, capital markets and security law, etc. The professionals at SS Law focus on result-oriented approach. They believe in upholding the law while protecting the rights of the clients. They frame any legal document after a thorough research and collection of evidences.
CUSTOMER COMES FIRST
Every employee at SS Law believes that
a company’s progress depends upon its client’s satisfaction. The lawyers are committed to providing quality legal advice to every client, reducing the execution risk and leading to smooth operations. The main agenda of SS Law firm is to provide cost-effective and unique winning strategies to all the clients and gain their trust each time.
The clients are made aware of the matter’s progress so they can make informed decisions. Rather than jumping to conclusions quickly, the concerned team of lawyers tries to devote sufficient time to comprehend their customer’s problem and make the action plan accordingly. The rapport between their lawyers and their clients has helped SS Law firm gain respect and trust in the industry as well.
A PROMISING FUTURE
Compassionately understanding clients’ legal matters has always been a priority for the company. The lawyers at SS Law do not hesitate to refer to the basics of the law book to win a project. They always come up with imaginative and unique strategies
to get the best result. Moreover, after the recent reforms and stringent policies laid by the government, the company now has numerous vistas of opportunities to explore. The identification with the clients, the excellent services provided to the clients, and the growing dominance of India as a global powerhouse will always be the company’s driving force. All this assures its clients to have a satisfactory experience which ultimately helps the firm to grow rapidly and have a promising future.
SPARROW
SIMPLIFYING INTERACTIONS
New business strategies and trends come and go every year across industries. However, a strategy that has been evergreen is providing a quality customer experience. SPARROW empowers businesses in every sector to deliver the right customer experience efficiently and register growth consistently
Delivering customer experience (CX) cuts through every industry, from healthcare, logistics, education to travel and BPO. But, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software often proves to be the bottleneck of CX. SPARROW has solved this problem by clubbing all the essential CX solutions together. SPARROW is a customer centric interactive CX platform, which caters CRM & ticket functionality and a corporate productivity suite that came from its creators’ years of work in customer experience. What makes it different from its counterparts is its underlying superior design. It is built in-house by the Customer Experience Lab. leverages customer-first design principle in creating the seamless customer experience.
MODULAR ARCHITECTURE
The name SPARROW reflects to the agility of the platform. Generally, companies make software agile by reducing its number of features. SPARROW, on the other hand, gets its agility and flexibility from its modular design. It supports multiple customer experience channels such as chat, an automated bot, social media, video, and voice. But SPARROW stands apart. Since the architecture is modular, a firm can select a bundle of modules as one package or pick individual modules. The modular structure also allows companies to use different modules at different touchpoints of the customer journey.
COMPANY BEHIND THE PRODUCT
Customer Experience Lab is the organisation that envisioned and created SPARROW. The company provides digital enterprise solutions linked to every aspect of customer experience. It serves clients in more than ten countries across diverse business sectors such as Business Process Outsourcing, Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance, logistics, and e-commerce.
Customer Experience Lab is not just a software development company; it is an amalgamation of process engineering, custom software development, design consultancy, and technology implementation. This help enterprises at every level of the customer journey. In an industry saturated with dozens of legacy players, it is differentiating itself with cutting-edge tech solutions that apply data-driven, real-time optimization. It offers many other enterprise CX solutions, such as AI interactive bots, cloud contact center solutions, and SPARROW. These solutions have helped the company serve a range of clients, including American International Group, Tech Mahindra, Terrabit, Swiggy, Moneymax, KBZ Bank, Infosys, Banyan Tree, and Arya Omnitalk.
EXTENSIVE FEATURES
SPARROW has an extensive list of features such as multiple mode dialing, workforce management, a customised interactive voice response system, ability to integrate with any other third party applications like SFDC, MS Dynamics, ZOHO etc.. by developing the connectors, call monitoring
and coaching, automation of call distribution, and much more. The resulting interaction hub is capable of managing all customer interactions covering numerous channels. With SPARROW by their side, any CX executive can handle multiple touchpoints. The dashboard includes a ticket summary, performance, interaction summary, customer information, and internal comments on tickets. The extensive list of features makes SPARROW a one-shop-stop solution for everything about CX.
TECHNO EXPONENT
WINNING THE RACE WITH PERSEVERANCE
Established in 2011, Techno Exponent has emerged as one of the fastest-growing IT companies in India that specialises in developing software; web, mobile, desktop, and AI and IoT-based applications; blockchains, and more. It also offers 360-degree digital marketing solutions, and has the ability to design customised solutions for all
Techno Exponent was founded by the duo Sabyasachi Saha and Avoy Debnath in Kolkata in 2012.
With the support of Mr. Jyoendrisa Tagore (VP) and Mr. Michael Collins (CTO), the company has shown tremendous growth, and is now present in multiple geographies with offices in New Delhi and the US. Both the founders started this company with the belief that technology has the potential to transform business and society at large.
TRANSFORMING WITH TECHNOLOGY
The founders of Techno Exponent strongly believe that technology is the backbone of any business. Every business needs to adopt new technologies and keep up with the evolving digital landscape to stay relevant. One of the other factors that differentiate Techno Exponent from the other players in the market is the kind of customised solutions they build as per the specific requirements of a client.
Techno Exponent believes that technology is not something people can buy and expect to work for them. Companies need to carefully pick a technology partner who can help them with the services that their business needs. This is where Techno Exponent comes in.
Techno Exponent works on the premise that companies must embrace technology to stay ahead of the curve. The company’s sole mission is to thrive as a trustworthy digital business solution provider that helps companies with their digital transformation.
Its vision is to leverage cutting-edge technology to help businesses adapt to the ever-evolving digital landscape. It offers custom packages that include services such as developing a new website or mobile application, enhancing customer service online, and implementing a digital marketing plan.
LED BY A STRONG TEAM
Techno Exponent is a brand that values its people immensely, be it the customers or the employees. The company has gradually grown into a team of more than 250 experts who have successfully delivered more than 3,000 projects. The company’s team is its most important asset. Its collaborative growth approach and employee-friendly policies have earned it the reputation of being an employer of choice.
A loyal workforce is one of the biggest reasons for the organisation’s continued growth and success. The other pillar on which Techno Exponent’s success rests is customer satisfaction. The brand has an impeccable record of meeting customers’ expectations and often exceeding them. With a proven track record of happy customers and happy employees, Techno Exponent has solidified its position in the technology landscape.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Techno Exponent has been recognised numerous times for its achievements and consistent performance. Most recently, it was awarded the ‘Leading IT company’
Award in 2022 by the Times Group. The firm is also a Drupal Association member, which is a testimony in itself. It has been awarded numerous prestigious contracts from major corporations such as Nasa Engineers and Amazon, and earned a lot of praise for the services it provided to them. The long list of its awards include Best Achiever 2017 and Top Enterprise Decision Maker 2016. In just a decade, Techno Exponent has created a strong niche for itself with its strong foundation, peoplefriendly policies, and being true to its craft.
The 120 World’s Greatest Brands & Leaders 2023, Asia’s Greatest Brands & Leaders 2023 and India’s Greatest Brands & Leaders 2023 are a research-based listing of Brands using both primary and secondary data researched across sixteen industries and sixty-two sub-categories evaluating Brands from all over Asia.
World’s Greatest Brands, Asia’s Greatest Brands & India’s Greatest Brands are a mission where brands are scanned, researched, understood and, after much deliberation by a competent team of experts, put on deserving pedestals for the admiration and veneration of the world. We delve into the history of the brands, let their beams of achievement play with us, feel the fire within these brands, and move along with their driving force. Finally, after revelling in the process, we feature our humble yet expert insights into the making and rising of these brands that are truly the Greatest! For anyone who is interested in the success story of these Greatest brands, or the fire within that made them succeed, or the driving force that put them on the path to great success, or finally the certitudes that make them great and the beacon of tomorrow that provides a hint and an insight into their future, we render in a transparent manner all the desirable information about these brands and more.
A few Leaders of the final 120 list of World’s Greatest Brands, Asia’s Greatest Brands & India’s Greatest Brands may be recognized for their contribution in building the brand. A number of these brands have corporates, entrepreneurs, first-generation or inheritance entrepreneurs, cooperatives, CMDs, Board of Directors involved behind the brands. Hence, a qualitative assessment would be done in the form of a research Leader Form which will have aspects of Vision for the company, Growth aspirations, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Finally, the Leader Forms with primary research data filled by the leaders will be sent to the jury for scoring along with the Brand scoring forms.
PhaseA Phase PhaseB C
The first phase of the research will be initiated by generating a list of categories (to be covered under the purview of the survey mentioned at the end of this document).
The entire research platform will be divided into:
A list of about 1200 brands across 16 industries and 62 sub-categories will be drawn up through secondary research driven by the URS Media research team and AsiaOne editorial team using online surveys via:
• Google Analytics
• Market studies
• Industry white papers
• Category-specific brand reports
• Brand-specific scrutiny
*Companies with net revenue exceeding US$12 billion will not be considered. Group turnovers will not be considered but may be only that of individual companies.
The preliminary list of 1200 Brands generated of World’s Greatest Brands & India’s Greatest Brands will be scrutinized and graded on a scale of 1 to 10 (where 1 is the lowest and 10 is the highest) by the research and editorial teams to generate a list of the top 300 brands based on the following parameters:
1. Brand Popularity
2. Brand Innovation
3. Brand Growth
4. Brand Promise
5. Brand Impact
JURY AND BRANDS & LEADERS SCRUTINY QUESTIONNAIRE:
The list of the top 300 brands will then further be scrutinized by an independent jury. The brands will be rated on the parameters of Brand Popularity, Brand Innovation, Brand Growth, Brand Promise and Brand Impact on a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is the highest and 1 is the lowest).
FINAL PHASE & LISTING OF THE TOP 120 BRANDS
The final phase of the research will entail the analysis of the jury and editorial questionnaire ratings based on the above-mentioned parameters and weightage assigned below by the research and editorial teams: Analysis: The 120 World’s Greatest Brands and Leaders, Asia’s Greatest Brands and Leaders and India’s Greatest Brands and Leaders list will be based on the cumulative scores of the shortlisted Brands received from the Jury Council and the research and editorial teams.
URS Media’s editorial team will shortlist from 1200 to 300 and then based on the weightage given to the independent Jury scoring a final list of 120 Brands will be created.
Disclaimer
*In addition to the above methodology, a few Brands with relatively competitive scoring may be part of the list due to their recent year-onyear growth and emergence as a brand, but, these companies would be featured, if any, under Editor’s Choice feature and awards.
The list of the 16 industries and their sub-categories covered under the purview of the study is as follows: Automotive, Education, Energy & Power, Finance, Food & Beverages, Healthcare, Household Products, Infrastructure, IT & Telecom, Lifestyle, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Personal Care, Real Estate, Retail and Services.
Jury Council
DR. AMITA SRIVASTAVA
DIRECTOR, BRENCIS CENTRE FOR RESEARCH TRAINING & CONSULTANCY (BCRTC) EDUCATION
Currently helming the position of a Director at Brencis Centre for Research Training and Consultancy (BCRTC) in Ghaziabad, India, Dr. Amita Srivastava is a well-known expert in the fields of Management Philosophy, Strategic Management, Human Resource Development, Quality Systems, and Human Values. A gold medalist in her area of expertise, she has experience spanning more than 25 years in areas of Research, Training, Consultancy, Teaching, and Administration in Management. She has conducted many FDPs and MDPs, and done assignments for some leading Institutions of National and International repute like IIM-(Lko), Nuvia (UK), UNIDO, Central Defence Academy, Syndicate Bank, IBA, Semi-Conductor Complex Ltd., ABCL, Kirloskar Brothers, WPIL Ltd., Jaipur Stock Exchange, and KRIBHKO. She has also been the Chief Editor for management journal, Attitude and has been functional in organising many national and international conferences. She has widely experimented with new approaches to learning and creativity
DR. HIMANSHU RAI
DIRECTOR, IIM INDORE
Under Dr. Himanshu Rai’s leadership, IIM Indore got the triple crown accreditation of AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS, becoming one of the 90 odd institutions in the world to have the honour. He is spearheading multiple initiatives at IIM Indore to create significant social impact and address challenges faced by the country. Prior to this he has been the Dean of SDA Bocconi India campus, Professor at SDA Bocconi, Milan, and has taught at IIM Lucknow and XLRI. He is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and KREC Surathkal. He specializes in Negotiation and his core teaching area include Negotiation, Leadership, and Justice. His book titled “Negotiation” published by McGraw Hill Education is a bestseller on Amazon. His TEDx talk on “Ethical Leadership: Lessons from the Vedas won him several accolades the world over. As the Convener of CAT 2010, he successfully led the largest format change in world’s testing history exceeding all global standards of testing. Through his initiatives, gender and educational background parity was achieved by IIMs
DR. PADMAKALI BANERJEE
PRO VICE CHANCELLOR, AMITY UNIVERSITY, GURUGRAM
Dr. Banerjee is a thought leader, public speaker and Life Coach, with over two decades of experience in research, teaching, training and academic administration. She has a doctorate degree from the University of Delhi and is a Fellow of the prestigious Somatic Inkblot Series (FSIS–US). In addition to her current role as Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean, Academics of Amity University Haryana and Director of Amity Business School, she heads the Centre for BRICS Studies—a centre of excellence. She is involved in strategic planning and leads the development and implementation of the university’s academic processes. She spearheaded many innovative initiatives, including the introduction of a flexible credit system, industry academic integration and internationalisation. She fosters strategic changes in teaching and learning, and student affairs. She pioneered the skill development programme at the university and got Amity a prominent place on the skills map of the country
NITIN D PAREKH
GROUP CFO, CADILLA HEALTHCARE
Mr. Nitin D Parekh, a holder of six qualifications, has a brilliant academic track record with ranks and gold medals in several exams, including CA, CFA and MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad. Mr. Parekh is serving as a Group Chief Financial Officer in Cadila Healthcare Limited, Ahmedabad, which has consolidated annual turnover of more than Rs. 15000 crores. He possesses 36 years of post-qualification experience in finance, legal and IT functions. An ace deal maker, a strategic thinker, an excellent coach and a person of razor-sharp commercial acumen, he has handled more than 15 M&A deals, including the Rs. 4600-crore acquisition of Heinz India Private Limited in January 2019 and divestment of India-centric animal health business for Rs. 2900 crores in July 2021. He was selected for the award of “Excellence in Mergers and Acquisitions” by CII in December, 2021. He was adjudged as India’s Best CFO-Large Enterprises by Businessworld in August, 2021
SUNIL DAVID
REGIONAL DIRECTOR (IOT), AT&T INDIA
Sunil David has over 25 years of experience in the IT and Telecom industry. Currently the Regional Director (IOT) for AT&T India based in Chennai, he is responsible for building and executing the IOT strategy for India and the ASEAN regions. He is working on building a partner ecosystem for AT&T in the area of IOT devices, platforms and applications and a number of marketing initiatives to help build the AT&T brand in the IOT space. He is part of the FICCI TN Tech Panel and CII TN Manufacturing Panel working on initiatives to drive digital technology adoption within the Industry and Governments in Tamil Nadu. Sunil has been recently inducted into the IET IOT India panel, Telecom Working Group whose charter is multifold. He is also part of the NASSCOM Diversity and Inclusion Council, Chennai Chapter, working on various initiatives to bring a greater awareness among Corporate India to build a Diverse and Inclusive workforce
UKETAMO
APPRECIATING THE BEATING OF YOUR HEART
Profound awareness and acceptance of the present moment allows freedom from the suffering produced by the constant desire to be better. True individual growth comes from complete immersion and involvement in the challenges that are encountered on the path of life
BY PAOLA MARTANI
“M
y formula for a human achieving greatness is amor fati: the desire to accept things as they are, now, in the future, in the past, and for all of eternity. My formula is not only to bear, and certainly not to conceal, what is necessary (after all idealism is only mendacity in the face of what is necessary), but to love it.”
With these words, Nietzsche references a concept that unifies time and space, flies over snowcapped mountains and salty seas, and encompasses centuries of different
“WASTING A LIFE IN AN ATTEMPT TO ACHIEVE AN IMAGINED UTOPIA ACTUALLY CRUSHES THE THRUST AND JOY OF EXISTENCE WHICH SHOULD ACTUALLY STEM FROM STRIVING FOR A STATE OF CONTENTMENT IN THE HERE AND NOW. THIS CONTENTMENT COMES FROM AN ACCEPTANCE, RATHER THAN A SENSE OF DISSATISFACTION”
traditions. An invisible chain of these ideas can be traced from ancient Greece, during the first century after Christ, across the Asian steppe, and to the Japanese islands of the Heian period. However, this knowledge exists not only in the past, but surrounds our present and elongates itself into all our futures. It is like a life preserver thrown to us lost in the constant tide of events of modern life, in which merely stopping and breathing for a moment feels like an impossible luxury. Modern society is like being on a racetrack where the minimum speed required is 100 kilometers per hour, and where the minimum requirements to stay in the race are achieving unattainable perfections of one form or another: a perfect body, a perfect career, and a perfect family. There is no forgiveness of any imperfections or missteps in this insane race. While change in all things is an inescapable law of the universe, this fundamental postulate of Mother Nature is in direct opposition to the unreachable ideals of the societies we have created.
While the notion of ‘perfection’ denotes a state of completeness, the continuous and perpetual movement of nature is testament that nothing can ever really be complete. In other words, all things are impermanent, incomplete and above all, imperfect. Consider the beauty of the passage of the seasons in the painted dance of colours, shapes, and emotions; the moments of inner sadness that allow us to see happiness; the tears that give meaning to smiles; the strangeness and peculiarity of the ‘inaccurate’ choices made an artist’s brush to attempt to capture the rarity of an entrancing flower. It is these smears of life, and the impossibility of perfection, that tell a story worth listening to…
The narrative repeatedly imposed on us by modern society to achieve the phantom of permanent happiness distracts us from the joy of savouring the gloriously imperfect journey of life. A futile search for an unobtainable complete happiness, in which we imagine we can finally feel complete, causes us to lose days, months, years, and sometimes our entire life; wasting our time to achieve the impossible only results in profound dissatisfaction and frustration. What then is the answer? Is there any way to achieve the happiness we desire so much?
One approach could be that instead of praying for perfection, it would be better to understand that achieving the chimera of completeness is a natural impossibility. Furthermore, wasting a life in an attempt to achieve an imagined utopia actually crushes the thrust and joy of existence which should actually stem from striving for a state of contentment in the here and now. This contentment comes from an acceptance, rather than a sense of dissatisfaction, of what life actually provides us with, even if sometimes it does not conform to what we would like. We should instead glorify imperfection as a natural condition that allows us to burst into smiles of happiness after moments of tears, in the awareness that to achieve genuine completeness we should strive to be as we are in each distinct moment. Instead of wishing for an unobtainable perfection, we should strive for the
ability to love each other on every step of our journey. The key word is acceptance. We must accept life as it is; accept ourselves; accept the air that enters the lungs and allows us to breathe.
ACCEPTANCE
It is this philosophy of acceptance that I want to write about today. These are ideas that stem from the mountain paths of Japan, which run over the peaks of Dewa Sanzan where everything is silent except the chirping of birds and the gurgling of streams. The philosophy stems from a place of pilgrimage for those in search of rebirth of body, spirit, and mind, where in the steep paths one can hear the unbroken whispered mantra ‘Uketamo’ – ‘I humbly accept with an open heart’.
The Yamabushi, the wandering monks who submit themselves to a harsh mountain life in their search for truth, immerse themselves in nature and hours of walking. By foregoing speech, they are more completely
immersed in the experience of the moment that surrounds every nuance. Whether it is the tiredness of their muscles in each step of their climb, the refreshment that the icy water of the waterfalls brings to their tired bodies, or the relief they feel when they arrive at the shukubo, or ancient huts, each moment is considered a chance to breathe the pulse of existence and to embrace the truth that the sooner one can learn to accept the good and the bad that comes one’s way, the sooner one is able to reach freedom and true growth.
Profound awareness and acceptance of the present moment that the Yamabushi strive to achieve allows freedom from the suffering produced by the constant desire to be better. The Yamabushi understand that true individual growth comes from complete immersion and involvement in the challenges that are encountered on the path of life.
That said, it should be made clear that Uketamo, as with the stoic notion of amor fati and the
CULTURE Column
essential characteristic of Nietzsche’s superman, does not merely denote a simple acceptance of destiny or fate. In other words, there is no sense of just resigning oneself to what happens, and neither is the concept just suggesting we should necessarily say ‘yes’ to a path designed by others or by a superior entity. Instead, Uketamo represents an unconditional love for life, for one’s being, for one’s choices. It is love for being part of a world full of mistakes, attempts and imperfections. It is the love of living through moments of joy and moments of chaos and shadow. It is the affection we feel for ourselves. It can be seen in the gaze that a mother has for her child as she learns by experiencing life in successes and difficulties with tenderness and understanding. It is self-acceptance and acceptance of one’s position in the world by both striving to continuously improve our lives, but also being proud of every step we take. It is saying yes to life in all its forms, and understanding that the much-desired enlightenment and completeness, the famous ethos of Zen, is not a state of total tranquility, but rather a living through every single moment within the terms of that moment: an acceptance of the imperfect flow of life.
The lesson of Uketamo is to accept and be grateful for where you are at all times. It is a process of building a better future through the liberation of pandering to the illusion that you will only be happy tomorrow. Through Uketamo, the goals set are achieved through a constant process of rejoicing and constructing the dream in the present.
This idea is not new, or connected only with one part of the world, but is narrated in every global latitude
and longitude throughout history. However, due to being overwhelmed by the constant lie promoted today that leads us to believe that we will be happy ‘only when....’, this truth is continually being lost in the illusionary fog of the belief that there will be a day when we will reach perfection. This fixation on a mirage of an imagined better future means we live through the gray of a series of ‘mediocre’ days.
By not paying sufficient attention to the present, we lose the bright colours available to those who know how to stop and enjoy them.
Thus, mindful of the teaching that permeates this land, I fly through history and from West to the East.
I pause in a Ryoanji temple in 17th century Kyoto to contemplate an ancient inscription on a tsukubai stone. Four characters that by themselves are meaningless, but when truly seen their intended context, and when combined
“UKETAMO TEACHES US THAT THE ROOT OF ALL UNHAPPINESS ARISES FROM SPENDING ALL OUR WAKING HOURS GAZING INTO THE DISTANT FUTURE. INSTEAD, WE SHOULD OPEN OUR EYES TO THE PRESENT AND REALISE WHAT WE ALREADY HOLD IN OUR HANDS”
with the edges of the central square, reveal their meaning ware tada taru wo shiru (I only know contentment).
CONTENTMENT
Contentment granted by the acceptance of what I am in the present as I truly look at myself and feel gratitude for what I am and have.
Uketamo teaches us that the root of all unhappiness arises from spending all our waking hours gazing into the distant future and so looking ‘out of our lives’. We search for what we are missing, instead of opening our eyes to the present and realising what we already hold in our hands.
Acceptance of what one is creates gratitude. This gratitude creates contentment, and this contentment creates a desire to improve oneself with full confidence that one can grow more by becoming aware. Accepting includes the intention to action in the future, while constantly and continuously finding true happiness in the present. Perhaps there is such a thing as perfection and complete beauty, and perhaps that perfection is every moment of every day.
Uketamo is a smile that no longer needs to be saved for a chimeric tomorrow. It is living today for today. It is because my heart is beating at this moment. It is because I want to hear those beats at the moment.
