The Indian Achievers’ Forum, unwavering in its commitment to acknowledge and celebrate commendable efforts and endeavors, successfully concluded the 64th edition of the National Summit and Awards for 2023.
The 64th National Summit and Awards unfolded on August 21st at Le Meridien Hotel, in collaboration with CSR Times. This grand event brought together a distinguished gathering of dignitaries, award recipients, and over 300 delegates.
The summit commenced with an inaugural ceremony, followed by enlightening addresses from eminent personalities. Chief Guest Shri SPS Baghel, Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, extended his congratulations to all participants and winners, underscoring the potential of CSR to project India onto the global stage. The morning session boasted Guests of Honor, including H.E. Mr. Dilshod Akhatov, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of India, Lt. Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), Member of the National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India, and Maj. Gen. Ravindra Singh of the Indian Army.
The inaugural session featured the commendation of CSR Times award recipients followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring the theme "Achieving SDGs Through CSR in Developing Economies: Role of G20 Nations." The second session turned the spotlight on the Indian Army's CSR initiatives, emphasized through a presentation by Brigadier Vikas Bhardwaj, Brig. DAV. Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (RS) and Spokesperson - BJP, addressed the gathering as the Guest of Honor, underscoring the collective responsibility of CSR engagement, extending beyond corporates to every individual.
Furthermore, several remarkable accomplishments of PSUs, Corporates, Corporate Foundations, MSMEs, and individuals received recognition through the Indian Achievers’ Award, honoring their commendable contributions. These individuals and organizations demonstrated unwavering dedication to the cause of nation-building.
One of the achievers was Mr Ashish Gupta, Area Finance Director (CFO), Reckitt Benckiser, who was conferred with the Indian Achievers' Award for CFO of the Year in recognition of his outstanding achievements. Ashish Gupta, a seasoned finance leader with an impressive 25-year career spanning seven countries, has earned a prestigious accolade in honor of his outstanding contributions and leadership within the business world. Currently holding the role of Area Finance Director (CFO) for North America Hygiene at Reckitt Benckiser, Gupta’s remarkable journey has been marked by his ability to drive strategic transformations and excel in diverse CFO roles.
Gupta possesses a unique talent for revitalizing large enterprises, executing expansive productivity and transformation initiatives, redefining earnings models, and crafting sustainable growth strategies. His impressive tenure includes 17 years of dedicated service at Reckitt Benckiser, in addition to prior roles at global giants such as Pepsico, Cargill, and ICI Paints. Gupta’s expertise has traversed continents, from Asia and Africa to Europe and North America.
As a pivotal decision-maker within the North America Hygiene Leadership Team, Gupta’s role is indispensable to Reckitt’s North American Operations, ensuring their operational excellence, sustainability, and overall success. His strategic foresight, combined with an unwavering commitment to sustainable profitability, has played a pivotal role in rejuvenating businesses, enhancing predictability and forecasting models, and fortifying brand equity, thus establishing a more robust and stable portfolio.
In a heartening gesture, the summit presented the CSR Times Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023 to Ms. Shallu Jindal, Chairperson, JSP Foundation, for her sustained and exceptional contributions to the socio-economic upliftment of marginalized communities through sustainable community development initiatives.
Among the distinguished attendees were Mr. Ratnesh, Executive Director - United Nations Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI), Air Marshal VPS Rana PVSM, VSM (Retd), Mr. S. Ravi Shankar, Executive Committee Member - CSR Times Awards, H.E. Mrs. Daniela Mariana Sezonov-Tane, Ambassador of Romania to India, H.E. Ms. Jacqueline Mukangira, High Commissioner - High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda to India, Dr. László Makk, Deputy Head of Mission, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Hungary, and Shri Shaurya Doval, Founding Member - India Foundation, Dr. Sudipta Narayan Roy, Director, IAF. The gathering witnessed these esteemed guests addressing the summit, inspiring participants with renewed fervor and compassion for social endeavors.
Mr. Harish Chandra, Editor of CSR Times & President, Indian Achievers' Forum, extended his congratulations to all winners and participants, expressing gratitude to the event's partners for their pivotal role in ensuring the event's resounding success. The summit concluded with a resounding vote of thanks, leaving attendees galvanized and determined to sustain their collective efforts in pursuit of national betterment.
