Google CEO Sundar Pichai Honoured With Padma Bhushan, Hails Indian Roots

“India is part of me and I carry it with me wherever I am going,” Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has stated, as he acquired the distinguished Padma Bhushan award from the Indian envoy to the US.

Indian-American Pichai was awarded the Padma Bhushan for 2022 within the Commerce and Trade class. The Madurai-born Pichai was named one of many 17 awardees earlier this 12 months.

He acquired India’s third-highest civilian award within the presence of his shut members of the family in San Francisco on Friday.

“I’m deeply grateful to the Indian authorities and the folks of India for this immense honour. It’s extremely significant to be honoured on this means by the nation that formed me,” 50-year-old Pichai stated whereas accepting the award from India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

“India is part of me. I carry it with me wherever I am going. (Not like this stunning award which I’ll preserve someplace secure),” he stated.

“I used to be lucky to develop up in a household that cherished studying and data, with dad and mom who sacrificed quite a bit to ensure I had alternatives to discover my pursuits,” Pichai stated.

India’s Consul Basic in San Francisco, T V Nagendra Prasad, was additionally current in the course of the occasion.

Sandhu stated that Pichai represented the limitless potentialities of know-how for transformation.

“He has been making commendable efforts in the direction of making digital instruments, and expertise accessible to throughout numerous segments of the society in numerous components of the globe,” he stated.

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s imaginative and prescient of know-how that mixes 3Ss – velocity, simplicity and repair, Sandhu hoped that Google would make full use of the digital revolution occurring in India.

Pichai stated that it had been wonderful to return to India many occasions through the years to see the fast tempo of technological change.

The improvements created in India are benefitting folks around the globe – from digital funds to voice know-how, he stated.

“I sit up for persevering with the nice partnership between Google and India, as we work collectively to deliver the advantages of know-how to extra folks,” he stated.

Companies are seizing the alternatives for digital transformation, and extra folks have entry to the web than ever earlier than, together with in rural villages, Pichai stated.

“Prime Minister Modi’s Digital India imaginative and prescient has actually been an accelerator for that progress and I am proud that Google continues to spend money on India, partnering with governments, companies, and communities over two transformative a long time,” he stated.

“Each new know-how that arrived at our doorstep made our lives higher. And that have put me on a path to Google, and the prospect to assist construct know-how that improves the lives of individuals everywhere in the world,” he stated.

Pichai stated he sees a lot alternative forward.

On India taking up the G20 presidency, Pichai stated: “It is an incredible alternative to construct consensus on strengthening the worldwide economic system by advancing an web that’s open, related, safe, and works for everybody. That is a aim we share, and are dedicated to advancing with you.” India formally assumed the G20 Presidency on Thursday.

“I’m grateful for the chance to do that work collectively and convey the advantages of know-how to extra folks,” Pichai stated.

Google this 12 months added 24 new languages to its translation service utilizing a brand new development in machine studying. Eight of them are languages native to India.

“It means a lot to see how folks can entry data and data of their most well-liked language, and see the world confide in them in new methods. That is why I proceed to be so optimistic about know-how, and why I consider India can and should proceed to steer,” he added.

---