Indian-American Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, was awarded the Padma Bhushan for 2022 in the trade and industry category. Madurai-born Pichai was nominated as one of the 17 awardees earlier this year.
Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai Indian-American Sundar Pichai was awarded the Padma Bhushan award for 2022 in the trade and industry category. Madurai-born Pichai was nominated as one of the 17 awardees earlier this year. On this occasion, Pichai said- “India is a part of me and I take it with me wherever I go.”
India’s third largest award
Sundar Pichai received India’s third highest civilian award on Friday (December 2) in San Francisco in the presence of his close family members. Pichai said- “I am deeply grateful to the Government of India and the people of India for this immense honor.” Accepting the award from India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Pichai, 50, said it is incredibly meaningful to be honored in this way by the country that shaped me. He said, “India is a part of me. I take it with me wherever I go. (Unlike this beautiful award, which I will keep safe somewhere).”
Pichai said, “I was fortunate to grow up in a family that fostered learning and knowledge with parents.” Pichai said, “My parents made a lot of sacrifices to make sure I had opportunities to explore my interests.”
Pichai represents the limitless potential of technology for change
India’s Consul General in San Francisco TV Nagendra Prasad was also present during the ceremony. Sandhu said that Pichai represents the limitless possibilities of technology for transformation. “They are making commendable efforts towards making digital tools and skills accessible to different sections of society in different parts of the world,” he added.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of technology combining 3S – speed, simplicity and service, Sandhu expressed hope that Google would make full use of the digital revolution taking place in India.
Pichai said it has been amazing to return to India several times over the years to witness the rapid pace of technology change. He said that innovations made in India – from digital payments to digital revolution – are benefiting people across the world.
“I look forward to continuing the great partnership between Google and India as we work together to bring the benefits of technology to more people,” he added.
Pichai said businesses are capitalizing on the opportunities of digital transformation and that more people than ever before have access to the internet, including in rural villages.
Prime Minister Modi’s Digital India vision has definitely been an accelerator for that progress, he added. I’m proud that Google continues to invest in India over two transformative decades, partnering with governments, businesses and communities.
Pichai said- “Every new technology that arrives at our doorstep has made our lives better. And that experience has given me the opportunity to help create technology that improves the lives of people all over the world and on the way to Google. ”
Pichai said that he sees a lot of opportunities ahead. On India taking over the presidency of the G20, Pichai said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to agree on strengthening the global economy by advancing an Internet that is open, connected, secure and works for all. It is a goal , which we share and are committed to moving forward with you.”
Let us inform that India has formally assumed the chairmanship of G20 on Thursday. “I am grateful for the opportunity to do this work together and bring the benefits of technology to more people,” Pichai said. Google has added 24 new languages to its translation service this year using a new advance in machine learning. Eight of these are the native languages of India.
Pichai said- “It means a lot to see how people can access information and knowledge in their preferred language. This is why I remain so optimistic about technology and this is the reason why I believe that India Can lead and should continue to do so.”
Bengali