Mumbai, NFAPost: CNBC-TV18, in collaboration with Standard Chartered Bank, recently concluded the 18th edition of the prestigious India Business Leaders Awards (IBLA) on May 11th at the Jio World Convention in Mumbai. The event aimed to recognize and honour exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to India’s equitable economic growth in 2022.
The evening commenced with a welcome address by Shereen Bhan, CNBC-TV18’s Managing Editor. She emphasized the significance of the 18th edition of IBLA, which aligns with CNBC-TV18’s brand identity. Bhan praised the awardees representing various sectors, industries, and regions, highlighting their shared vision of institution-building and value creation for society.
Zarin Daruwala, Cluster CEO- India and South Asia Markets at Standard Chartered Bank, congratulated the winners and expressed pride in the bank’s association with IBLA for the past seven years. Daruwala commended the exceptional work showcased at the awards and extended congratulations on the successful completion of 18 years of IBLA.
Azim Premji, Chairman of Azim Premji Foundation, Founder Chairman of Wipro Ltd., and Chairman of Wipro Enterprises, was honoured with the ‘Hall of Fame’ title. Premji emphasized the importance of self-belief in driving the nation forward and achieving collective success.
TV Narendran, MD & CEO of Tata Steel, was recognized as the ‘Outstanding Business Leader of the Year.’ In his acceptance speech, he shared his vision of creating a financially and culturally future-ready organization. Narendran emphasized Tata Steel’s commitment to sustainability, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 and collaborating with startups for innovative solutions. He also stressed the significance of passion when choosing an industry and company.
Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor, received the prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’ Reflecting on his journey, Srinivasan acknowledged the initial struggles he faced but highlighted the success that followed. He expressed hope for the next generation to surpass milestones set by his generation.
Infosys was awarded the ‘Outstanding Company of the Year.’ Salil Parekh, the MD & CEO of Infosys, recognized the potential of generative AI and its impact on productivity. He emphasized Infosys’ use of generative AI tools on open-source platforms, contributing to faster software development. Parekh believed that India could become a leader in generative AI, propelling the nation’s technological progress.
The event was graced by eminent policymakers including Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, and the Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa. They shared insights on various topics such as India’s crude oil imports and developmental plans for Maharashtra.
Other notable awards included ‘The Disruptor of the Year’ awarded to Idea Forge, ‘Social Impact Icon’ awarded posthumously to Ela Bhatt, Founder of SEWA, ‘Outstanding Contribution to Brand India’ awarded to Dilip Asbe, MD & CEO of NPCI, ‘Sports Leader of the Year’ awarded to Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen, ‘Entertainment Leader of the Year’ awarded to Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, and ‘Game Changer of the Year’ awarded to BCCI for their efforts in gender parity and launching the Women’s Premier League.
The winners were selected by a distinguished jury chaired by Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, and comprising industry leaders such as Uday Kotak, Zarin Daruwala, Dinesh Kumar Khara, Sanjeev Mehta, Anish Shah, TV Narendran, Prabha Narsimhan, V Vaidyanathan, Adar Poonawalla, and Rajiv Memani.
Overall, the 18th edition of the India Business Leaders Awards celebrated and honoured the exceptional achievements of visionary leaders who have contributed significantly to India’s economic growth and societal development.
