Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, was awarded the Padma Bhushan on Friday in San Francisco by Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s Ambassador to the United States.
Sundar Pichai, who was named a Padma Bhushan recipient in the Trade and Industry category on the eve of Republic Day, expressed his gratitude in a note, saying it is “incredibly meaningful to be honoured in this way by the country that shaped me.” “.
The Padma Bhushan is India’s third most prestigious civilian award.
“I am deeply grateful to the Indian government and the people of India for this immense honour. It is incredibly meaningful to be honoured in this way by the country that shaped me,” 50-year-old Pichai said while accepting the award from Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
“India is a part of me. I carry it with me wherever I go. [Unlike this beautiful award which I will keep somewhere safe],” Sundar Pichai stated.
“I was fortunate to grow up in a family that cherished learning and knowledge, with parents who sacrificed a lot to make sure I had opportunities to explore my interests,” Pichai added.
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who presented the prestigious award to Pichai, tweeted, “Delighted to hand over Padma Bhushan to CEO @Google & Alphabet @sundarpichai in San Francisco.”
“Sundar’s inspirational journey from #Madurai to Mountain View, strengthening economic & tech ties, reaffirms Indian talent’s contribution to global innovation,” Sandhu stated.
“India is a part of me. I carry it with me wherever I go. [Unlike this beautiful award which I will keep somewhere safe],” Sundar Pichai said.
Pichai responded to the Indian envoy on Twitter, writing, “It was an immense honour to receive the Padma Bhushan, and to have my family there with me today. Grateful to the Indian government and the people of India”.
On Friday, Pichai accepted the award in San Francisco in the presence of close family members.
Sundar Pichai also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Digital India vision” in his note.
“Prime Minister Modi’s Digital India vision has certainly been an accelerator for that progress, and I’m proud that Google continues to invest in India, partnering with governments, businesses and communities over two transformative decades,” Pichai said in his note.