Google CEO Sundar Pichai on receiving Padma Bhushan: ‘The country that shaped me…’

Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai was awarded the Padma Bhushan in San Francisco on Friday by India’s Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Sundar Pichai, who was announced as the recipient of the Padma Bhushan on the eve of Republic Day under the business and industry category, shared his thoughts on receiving the award in a note and said that “to be honored in this way is incredibly meaningful”. Is.” The country that shaped me”.

Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award of India.

“I am extremely grateful to the Government of India and the people of India for this immense honour. To be honored in this way by a country that shaped me is incredibly meaningful,” said Pichai, 50, while accepting the award from Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

“India is a part of me. I take it with me wherever I go. [as opposed to this beautiful prize that I will keep safe somewhere],” Sundar Pichai said.

Pichai said, “I was fortunate to grow up in a family that cherished learning and knowledge, with parents who sacrificed a lot to ensure that I had opportunities to explore my interests.” meet.”

Presenting the prestigious award to Pichai, Taranjit Singh Sandhu tweeted, “Delighted to present the Padma Bhushan to CEO @Google and Alphabet @sundarpichai in San Francisco.”

Sandhu said, “Sundar’s inspirational journey from Madurai to Mountain View, strengthening economic and technological ties, reaffirms the contribution of Indian talent to global innovation.”

Responding to the Indian envoy, Pichai wrote on Twitter, “It was a great honor to receive the Padma Bhushan and to have my family there with me today. Grateful to the Government of India and the people of India.

Pichai received the award on Friday in San Francisco in the presence of his close family members.

Sundar Pichai also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Digital India vision” in his note.

In his note, Pichai said, “Prime Minister Modi’s Digital India vision has certainly been an accelerator for that progress, and I am proud that Google has made a difference in India over two transformative decades, partnering with governments, businesses and communities.” continue to invest.”

I would like to thank Ambassador Sandhu and Consul General Prasad for hosting me to receive the Padma Bhushan. I am deeply grateful to the Government of India and the people of India for this immense honour. To be honored in this way by the country that shaped me is incredibly meaningful.

India is a part of me. I take it with me wherever I go. (Unlike this beautiful prize that I’ll keep safe somewhere.)

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that cherished learning and knowledge, with parents who sacrificed a lot to ensure that I had opportunities to explore my interests. Every new technology that has come to our doorstep has made our lives better. And that experience set me on my way to Google, and to the opportunity to help build technology that improves people’s lives around the world.

It has been amazing to return to India several times over the years to witness the rapid pace of technological change. From digital payments to voice technology, innovations made in India are increasingly benefiting people around the world. Businesses are seizing the opportunities of digital transformation, and more people than ever have access to the internet, including in rural villages.

Prime Minister Modi’s Digital India vision has certainly been an accelerator for that progress, and I am proud that Google continues to invest in India, partnering with governments, businesses and communities over two transformative decades.

We recently announced that we will invest $10 billion in India’s digital future, working to enable more affordable internet access, building products for India’s unique needs, helping businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation Will help businesses and use AI to tackle big societal challenges.

We are also investing deeply in digital skilling, and have trained over 55,000 teachers and over 1 million women through our Women Will Entrepreneurship program in partnership with government and local organisations. We have also sponsored over 100,000 Google Career Certifications in collaboration with NASSCOM Foundation and Tata Strive.