Outlook Business Spotlight Southern Achievers Awards 2024: Honoring Innovation And Leadership In Southern India

The Outlook Business Spotlight Southern Achievers Awards, held on December 14, 2024, in Chennai, turned the spotlight on some of the most inspiring stories of innovation, leadership, resilience, sustainability, and community-driven initiatives from the southern region of India. The event, supported by Nexus, with Duro as the sustainable partner and Gamification as the bronze partner, brought together thought leaders from industries, academia, and government.

The event's chief guest, Thiru M.A. Subramanian, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, applauded the region's relentless pursuit of excellence.

The Minister began by congratulating the awardees, stating, 바카라�On behalf of Outlook Business, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the recipients who have demonstrated excellence in their fields. Today, we honor their remarkable contributions.바카라�

The Minister highlighted the legacy of Outlook magazine, serving the lakhs of readers with a commitment to quality journalism.

Highlighting Tamil Nadu바카라�s achievements, the Minister stated, 바카라�Even among India바카라�s 28 states, Tamil Nadu stands out for its excellence in medicine and education. Globally, the state has earned recognition. At the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, Tamil Nadu received the Task Force Award 2024 for its exemplary work in managing Non-Communicable Diseases.바카라�

The Minister also emphasized Tamil Nadu바카라�s impactful welfare schemes, including the Free Breakfast Program, which has drawn attention from countries like Sri Lanka and Canada. 바카라�These initiatives showcase Tamil Nadu바카라�s leadership and commitment to progress,바카라� the Minister added.

The Minister concluded by acknowledging the importance of recognition: 바카라�Giving and receiving awards fosters encouragement and inspiration. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the awardees for their outstanding achievements.바카라�

Innovation as a Catalyst for Regional Growth

The first panel discussion explored how innovation continues to drive regional growth in southern India. Key panelists included Dr. V.P. Chandrashekar, COO of SRM Global; Srinivasa Bharathy, Managing Director and CEO of Adrenalin eSystems Ltd; and Pratip Francis, General Manager, Brand Marketing, MRF, moderated by Editor, Outlook Business, Neeraj Thakur.

Dr. Chandrashekar emphasized the transformative power of innovation in healthcare. 바카라�A decade ago, major surgeries like valve replacements required patients to stay in the hospital for ten days. Today, with advancements in technology and innovation, our cardiac team has brought this down to just an hour,바카라� he said, showcasing the groundbreaking strides being made in medical care.

Srinivasa Bharathy highlighted the role of talent, investment, and collaboration in fostering regional growth. 바카라�We바카라�ve been in business for over 22 years, and Chennai has become one of the biggest product hubs in the country. By combining talent and innovation with collaboration, the region has been able to achieve remarkable progress,바카라� he explained.

Pratip Francis from MRF delved into why southern India stands out as a global hub for excellence. He credited the region바카라�s culture of diligence and attention to detail. 바카라�In the South, companies invest heavily in R&D, obsessing over the final details of their products and services. Unlike marketing-led businesses seen elsewhere, southern companies focus on long-term growth and sustained development through innovation. This mindset, fostered by the government, has ensured the South바카라�s global recognition as a hub for quality and excellence,바카라� he noted. 

Power of Collaboration 바카라� Uniting Business and Community

The second panel discussion focused on the power of collaboration - the link between businesses and communities in advancing sustainability. The panel featured G.S. Ramesh, Chairman of Layam Group; Dr. K. Kathivaran, Director, SRM Group of Institutions (Ramapuram and Trichy campuses); Anju Mary Kuruvilla, Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability, Danfoss India Region; and Gautam Kulothungan, Regional Head, Featherlite Furniture.

G.S. Ramesh advocated shifting from corporate social responsibility to corporate moral responsibility. 바카라�The community is the foundation of businesses바카라�it provides resources, emotional support, and protection in tough times. Corporates and communities are deeply interlinked and must work together to build sustainable futures,바카라� he said, urging organizations to become more community centric.

Dr. K. Kathivaran spoke about integrating sustainability into education. 바카라�At SRM, we design our curriculum to ensure that students are prepared to give back to society. From their first year, students engaged with the community, learning lifelong skills that help them adapt to societal needs. Sustainability is deeply ingrained in our educational practices, enabling our graduates to address challenges effectively,바카라� he explained.

Anju Mary Kuruvilla shared insights from Danfoss, a Denmark-based company aiming for carbon neutrality by 2029. 바카라�Denmark is set to be carbon-neutral by 2030, and Danfoss is committed to achieving it a year earlier. This has been possible because individuals, academia, corporates, and governments came together under an ambitious project called Project Zero.바카라�

On diversity, equity, and inclusion, Kuruvilla highlighted the importance of recognizing all gender identities. 바카라�Globally, there are 163 gender identities, and inclusivity in workplaces and communities is crucial. Danfoss focuses on education, sustainable livelihoods, health, and the environment through its CSR initiatives to create a more equitable society,바카라� she added.

Addressing challenges in meeting Scope 3 emission targets, Gautam Kulothungan emphasized the importance of sustainability among suppliers. 바카라�Resistance to change often stems from viewing sustainability as an expense rather than an investment. However, sustainable practices provide long-term rewards, and it바카라�s vital to educate suppliers about these benefits,바카라� he stated.

A Shift Towards Sustainability

Neeraj Thakur, Editor, Outlook Business asked panelists about the difference in sustainability practices between large corporations and small to medium enterprises (SMEs). G.S. Ramesh observed that while larger companies are motivated by the need to protect their brand reputation, SMEs often lack the resources and maturity to implement sustainability measures. However, he was optimistic about the gradual shift in mindset. 바카라�Organizations are moving from focusing solely on cost savings to understanding the return on investment that sustainability can bring,바카라� he said.

Celebrating Southern Excellence

The Outlook Southern Achievers Awards highlighted the region's dedication to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. From healthcare and education to corporate responsibility and environmental goals, the discussions reflected the South바카라�s unique approach to development, one that prioritizes long-term impact over short-term gains.

By fostering collaboration between businesses, communities, and academia, southern India continues to set benchmarks for the rest of the country. It exemplified how a focus on excellence and collaboration can drive sustainable growth and global recognition.

As the event concludes, it has left attendees inspired to take forward the mission of sustainability, innovation, and inclusiveness.

Outlook Business Spotlight Southern Achievers Awards Winners List