Sporting legend and India’s first-ever women’s boxing Olympic medallist, Mary Kom, was awarded the Global Indian Icon of the Year at the 5th Annual UK-India Awards in Windsor this week.
Presented by India Global Forum (IGF), UK-India Awards honour the contribution of key figures and businesses driving forward the UK-India partnership.
Kom, who received the award from Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami, said: “It is my privilege and honour to be part of this evening. I have been fighting for 20 years, and have put in a lot of hard work in my life, in boxing, making sacrifice for my country, for my family. I really thank you from the bottom of my heart for this recognition.”
Held at the Fairmont Windsor Park, the glittering awards night was masterfully hosted by Britain’s celebrated comedian and impressionist Rory Bremner and attended by an array of celebrities, business chiefs and entrepreneurs.
The prestigious awards recognised outstanding contributions of leaders in business, professional services, government, culture and social impact, highlighting their remarkable achievements in strengthening bilateral ties. Spanning across several categories, the UK-India Awards 2023 celebrated excellence in:
· Market Entrant of the Year – Won by CrowdInvest
· Consultancy of the Year – Won by SannamS4
· Legal Practice of the Year – Won by Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
· Financial Services Organisation of the Year – Won by ICICI Bank UK Plc
· Technology Company of the Year – Won by Mphasis
· Business Promotion Organisation of the Year – Won by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI UK)
· Social Impact Project of the Year – Won by Action Aid UK
· Significant Contribution to UK-India Relations – Nehru Centre, London
· Lifetime Contribution to UK-India Relations – Shekhar Kapur
IGF Founder and Chairman Manoj Ladwa said the evening was conceived as a celebration of enterprise, grit, innovation and success of British and Indian individuals and organisations who represent the “super-highway of UK-India relations”.
He said: “These awards are not just about recognising achievements of some outstanding contributors to the UK-India Corridor, but also about celebrating the power of collaboration and the limitless potential that lies within our partnership.
“Together, the United Kingdom and India have fostered an environment where ideas flourish, where innovation thrives, and where opportunities abound.”
The winners were selected by a preeminent jury of industry experts comprising:
· Alison Barrett, Director – India, British Council
· Harmeen Mehta, Group Chief Digital & Innovation Officer, BT Group Plc
· Priya Guha, Venture Partner & NED, Merian Ventures & UKRI
· Sir Ron Kalifa, Chairman, Network International
· Saif Malik, CEO, UK & Regional Head of Client Coverage, UK & Europe, Standard Chartered Bank
· Anuj J. Chande, Partner & Head of South Asia Business Group, Grant Thornton UK LLP
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Powered by Knowledge Partners Grant Thornton, UK-India Awards was the penultimate day of an invigorating week of purpose-driven, enterprising conversations, collaboration, and thought-leadership. The evening showcased the depth and breadth of co-operation between the two nations, reaffirming IGF’s position as the premier, most definitive platform for UK-India ties.
Encompassing 12 marquee events with 150 speakers and 2,000+ participants, UK-India Week 2023 brought together business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders from India, the UK and beyond to discuss opportunities for further collaboration and growth between the two countries.
Described as a highly anticipated fixture in the bilateral calendar by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, UK-India Week concludes on June 30 with a Founders and Funder Retreat.
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*Info: UK-India Week