HYDERABAD: Eminent persons from business and political fraternity were present at the Business Leaders Awards presentation held by local television channel TV5 here on Saturday.
Presented to persons and organisations, who excelled in various fields of business annually, this year awards were given in 16 categories ranging from excellence in manufacturing, infrastructure, information technology, biotechnology to beauty, wellness and entertainment.
Among the galaxy of industrialists and entrepreneurs GMR group founder chairman G Mallikarjuna Rao was the centre of attraction. He was awarded lifetime achievement award along with Ratan Tata.
“My journey from Rajam (a small town in Srikakulam district) to building the best airport in Delhi was not like a film story. We had faced many hurdles in between. It gives immense pleasure to get recognised in front of our own people. But, the challenge is to protect this position, when businessmen were facing constant challenges every day in the changing global scenario,” Mallikarjuna Rao said after receiving the award.
Shyamal Gupta, Ratan Tata’s associate received the award on his behalf. Suchitra Ella of Bharat Biotech, Nrupender Rao of Pennar Engineered Building Systems, Karunakar Reddy of Smaat India, DVS Raju of Gangavaram Port Ltd, were among others who received the awards.
Besides successful industrialists and businessmen, one awardee who made the crowd go gaga was film star Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna was presented with Entertainment Leader of the Year award for his successful conduct of game show ‘Mee lo Evaru Koteeswarudu’.
TS, AP are like Ambani Brothers: KTR
IT minister KT Rama Rao compared AP and Telangana states with Ambani brothers. “Like Ambani brothers who rose to become the richest businessmen in the country, though they faced certain problems after their father’s death, AP and Telangana will become successful states after ten years after overcoming the teething problems,” KTR said evoking a loud applause from the audience.