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

“India is part of me and I carry it with me wherever I’m going,” Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has stated, as he obtained 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 Business class. The Madurai-born Pichai was named one of many 17 awardees earlier this yr.

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

“I’m deeply grateful to the Indian authorities and the individuals 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’m going. (In contrast to this lovely award which I’ll preserve someplace secure),” he stated.

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

India’s Consul Normal in San Francisco, T V Nagendra Prasad, was additionally current through the occasion.

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

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

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s imaginative and prescient of know-how that mixes 3Ss – pace, 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 instances over time to see the fast tempo of technological change.

The improvements created in India are benefitting individuals world wide – 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 convey the advantages of know-how to extra individuals,” he stated.

Companies are seizing the alternatives for digital transformation, and extra individuals 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 definitely been an accelerator for that progress and I am proud that Google continues to put money into 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 all around the world,” he stated.

Pichai stated he sees a lot alternative forward.

On India taking on 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 purpose 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 produce the advantages of know-how to extra individuals,” Pichai stated.

Google this yr 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 individuals can entry info and information of their most popular 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 guide,” he added.

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