Dubai: Members of the Indian business community in the Gulf were feted by a television channel at a summit and awards ceremony.
Republic TV channel recognised business leaders at the inaugural Republic TV Gulf Indian Leadership Summit and Awards 2018.
Business leaders were presented with lifetime achievement awards as well as visionary and inspirational leader awards.
Lifetime awards were given to industry players such as Dr Zulekha Daud, Dr B.R. Shetty and Dr Azad Moopen, who have all played a significant role in the health care sector both in the Gulf and back home in India, said award organisers.
Western perspective is all good but we have had enough of it. We now need Indian perspective of the world."
- Rajyavardhan Rathore | Indian Minister of State
Other recipients of the award were Mohan Valrani, Vasu Shroff, Dr Ram Buxani and Bharatbhai Shah.
Arnab Goswami, founder and editor-in-chief of Republic TV, spoke at the event, querying: “Why is it that the robust Indian media cannot produce international content and compete with the BBC and CNNs of the world? Within the next two years, not later than 2020, Republic TV or any other Indian media must aim to do so. An Indian channel producing world coverage watched by everyone in hotels all around the world like this one in Dubai.”
Keynote guest was Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore, Indian Minister of State (Independent charge), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Vipul, Consul-General of India in Dubai, attended alongside Surjit Bhalla, member of the Indian Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, and Sameer Manchanda, chairman, DEN Network and part of the CII Media Committee.
Rathore said it was time for India to enter the world stage.
“Western perspective is all good but we have had enough of it. We now need Indian perspective of the world. All of you are ambassadors of India overseas and your voice is equally important,” he said.
Others awarded for their valuable contribution in the world of business included Feroz Allana, founder and director, IFFCO Group; P.N.C. Menon, founder and chairman, Sobha Group; Rizwan Sajan, senior vice-chairman and managing director, Danube Group; and Paras Shahdadpuri, chairman, Nikai Group of Companies, to just name a few.