IBLA 2023: Celebrating leaders and trailblazers from diverse domains

ONDC: The Disruptor | The government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is revolutionising the digital commerce ecosystem, earning it the title of ‘Disruptor of the Year’ at the IBLA. ONDC, which aims to promote inclusivity and ease of access for businesses and consumers, adds a crucial dimension to India’s Digital Public Infrastructure. It operates as an open protocol, allowing app users to discover and buy products or services from any seller on the network.

Persistent Systems: Most Promising Company | Pune-based Persistent Systems Ltd. was awarded the 'Most Promising Company of the Year' at the IBLA. The company has been leading the technological wave with impactful projects, from groundbreaking IoT solutions to cutting-edge advancements in Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence, shaping the digital landscape.

Chandrayaan-3: Brand India | India’s Chandrayaan-3 made a successful lunar landing on August 23, marking a significant achievement as India became the first country to reach the Lunar South Pole. This mission, a testament to India’s scientific capabilities, solidified its status as a space superpower. In recognition, ISRO and the Chandrayaan-3 team were awarded “Outstanding Contribution to Brand India” at the IBLA.

Trailblazers of the Year: Javelin thrower Annu Rani, a 31-year-old from Meerut, was honoured as “Trailblazers of the Year” at the IBLA. She made history as the first Indian javelin thrower to clinch a Gold medal at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou.

Trailblazers of the Year: Steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, was also honoured as “Trailblazers of the Year” at the IBLA. She had an impressive 2023, which included a dramatic Gold medal win in the 5,000-metre event at the Asian Games.

Trailblazers of the Year: The Indian Men’s 4x400m Relay team, consisting of Anas Muhammed Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi, and Rajesh Ramesh, were honoured as “Trailblazers of the Year” at the IBLA. They made their mark on the global athletics stage by winning the Gold Medal at the Asian Games.

Sheetal Devi: Para Sports Leader | Sheetal Devi, a 16-year-old armless archer, was recognised as the Special and Para Sports Leader of the Year. Born in a small village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtawar District with Phocomelia, a rare condition resulting in under-developed limbs, Devi’s indomitable spirit and determination led her to become India’s first armless female archer. Her journey from a remote Indian village to global acclaim is truly remarkable.

Shubman Gill: Sports Leader | Shubman Gill, India’s rising cricketing sensation, was awarded the “Sports Leader of the Year” at the IBLA. His meteoric rise in international cricket marks him as a force to reckon with for the future.

Deepak Parekh: Hall of Fame | Deepak Shantilal Parekh, synonymous with India’s banking and finance industry and former chairman of the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the IBLA. Parekh’s legacy spans over 45 years, beginning with the introduction of home loans in India. Under Parekh’s guidance, HDFC empowered over nine million Indians to own homes, growing its loan portfolio to a remarkable ₹7.24 lakh crore.

Apollo Hospitals: Outstanding Company | Apollo Hospitals, a pioneer in India's healthcare sector, has been named the 'Outstanding Company of the Year' at the IBLA. Over 40 years, Apollo Hospitals has become a household name in healthcare in India. As the country's first corporate healthcare provider, Apollo laid the groundwork for India's private healthcare sector and has played a crucial role in its development, addressing over 70% of the country's medical needs.

Sunny Deol: Entertainment Leader | Actor and Member of Parliament, Sunny Deol, was named the "Entertainment Leader of the Year" at the IBLA. Deol's contribution to Indian cinema spans over four decades, beginning with his debut in the 1983 blockbuster Betaab, produced by his father, veteran actor Dharmendra. He starred in numerous blockbuster films across the 1980s and 1990s, including Tridev, Dacait, Vishwatma, Damini, Jeet, and the iconic Border. His enduring career in the film industry has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

Amitabh Kant: Public Service Leader | Amitabh Kant, a name synonymous with India's administrative excellence and visionary leadership, has been celebrated for his 'Outstanding Contribution to Public Service' at the IBLA. Kant's illustrious career spans over four decades and includes pivotal roles ranging from the Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to the CEO of the Niti Aayog, and most recently, as India's Sherpa to the G20.

Kay Beauty: Breakout Brand | Katrina Kaif's Kay Beauty, a blend of her passion for makeup and entrepreneurial acumen, has been awarded the Breakout Brand of the Year at the IBLA. Launched in 2019 in collaboration with Nykaa, Kay Beauty marked a significant milestone as India's first celebrity-owned beauty brand. The brand's inclusive approach caters to diverse ages, genders, and skin tones, encapsulated in its empowering tagline, 'It’s Kay to Be You'. This venture is not just a business endeavour for Katrina, but a manifestation of her long-standing passion for beauty and makeup.

NEPRA: Climate Consciousness | NEPRA's commitment to dry waste management and recycling was honoured at the IBLA, where it received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Climate Consciousness. For over a decade, 'Let's Recycle', a social enterprise for dry waste management and recycling, has stood as a testament to NEPRA Resource Management's commitment in this field.

Vijay Dhasmana: Outstanding Contribution to Climate Consciousness | Vijay Dhasmana, a name synonymous with ecological restoration and conservation, has been rightfully recognised at the IBLA 19th edition with a Jury Recognition for Climate Consciousness. Since 2007, Dhasmana has dedicated himself to the monumental task of restoring degraded landscapes, primarily focusing on the regions surrounding Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: Outstanding Business Leader | Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon was honoured as the Outstanding Business Leader of the Year at the IBLA. Business leadership extends beyond profit margins; it's about transforming lives, a mission that Mazumdar-Shaw embodies daily. An exceptional biotech entrepreneur, healthcare visionary, and global influencer, she has nurtured and led Biocon from a small startup into a globally renowned and respected business with a footprint in over 100 countries.

Uday Kotak: Lifetime Achievement | Uday Kotak, a stalwart in the banking and finance sector and former chief of Kotak Mahindra Bank, has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the IBLA. Kotak's contributions are deeply embedded in the industry and the economy's framework, symbolising a blend of nimbleness, agility, astuteness, innovation, ingenuity, and trust. His journey from a modest finance firm to a financial colossus, recognised both domestically and internationally, showcases his resilience and acumen.