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 mentioned, 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 12 months.

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 manner by the nation that formed me,” 50-year-old Pichai mentioned 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 protected),” he mentioned.

“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 verify I had alternatives to discover my pursuits,” Pichai mentioned.

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

Sandhu mentioned that Pichai represented the limitless prospects of know-how 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 elements of the globe,” he mentioned.

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 mentioned that it had been wonderful to return to India many occasions over time to see the fast tempo of technological change.

The improvements created in India are benefitting individuals around the globe – from digital funds to voice know-how, he mentioned.

“I sit up for persevering with the nice partnership between Google and India, as we work collectively to deliver the advantages of know-how to extra individuals,” he mentioned.

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 mentioned.

“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 spend money on India, partnering with governments, companies, and communities over two transformative a long time,” he mentioned.

“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 possibility to assist construct know-how that improves the lives of individuals all around the world,” he mentioned.

Pichai mentioned he sees a lot alternative forward.

On India taking up the G20 presidency, Pichai mentioned: “It is an incredible alternative to construct consensus on strengthening the worldwide economic system by advancing an web that’s open, linked, 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 mentioned.

Google this 12 months 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 imagine India can and should proceed to guide,” he added.