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 obtained the celebrated 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 members of the family 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 approach 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. (In contrast to this stunning award which I’ll maintain someplace protected),” he stated.

“I used to be lucky to develop up in a household that cherished studying and information, with dad and mom who sacrificed rather a lot to ensure 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 prospects of expertise for transformation.

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

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s imaginative and prescient of expertise 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 occasions over time to see the speedy tempo of technological change.

The improvements created in India are benefitting individuals all over the world – from digital funds to voice expertise, he stated.

“I sit up for persevering with the nice partnership between Google and India, as we work collectively to convey the advantages of expertise 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 actually 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 expertise 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 expertise 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 a tremendous 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 objective 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 expertise 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 data and information of their most popular language, and see the world divulge heart’s contents to them in new methods. That is why I proceed to be so optimistic about expertise, and why I imagine India can and should proceed to steer,” he added.