The King Husein Global Business & Intercultural Peace India Award in Core Business goes to Nadir Godrej.
At the Awards on 4th October 2023, Mr. Godrej delivered his acceptance speech in verse:
By Nadir Godrej October 4th 2023 Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Has a very soothing hum. As our slogan for G20 It certainly helped us plenty. It works for us everywhere. A brilliant concept we widely share. Globally we should spread the word. But back home too let it be heard. Once we talk of us and them Unfortunately we condemn Without reprieve what we call other. No longer are they sister, brother. Let’s not act in moments of heat Don’t take disputes to the street. It is our collective duty To see every kind of beauty. Diversity is our strength We should go to any length. And in all businesses, we should see The broadest reach of diversity. Not only is it fair and right. It would give us the best insight. Since life is full of many hard knocks We need to think out of the box. Diversity’s the perfect aid When we are required to wade Through troubled waters or quagmires Unusual thought is what inspires! Diversity in every dimension. Religion too we should mention. There should be a clear call Of tolerance for them all As long as behaviour is benign. We will have to draw the line On calls for violence and hate. And here I would like to state Let’s stress all the common themes. To Akhil Gupta it clearly seems That in all religions we can see Many common themes clearly. Some may think his claim is tall. But we should take a different call. In “Bridges Across Humanity” He shows us the similarity. Every chapter shows one theme. There are so many it would seem. If similarities are stressed, Collectively we will be blessed. If differences are magnified How can we be unified? Don’t you think it would be great If we jointly celebrate The common humanity that we share. For everyone we should care. Diversity is not a pain. With unity we’ve much to gain. A glorious future is what we’ll see With Unity in Diversity!
Nadir Godrej, Managing Director and Chairman of Godrej Industries, puts Corporate Social Responsibility at the core of his business, arguing that we must move beyond token CSR to business having its basic purpose to do good. In addition to being a global business leader promoting a free economy and democratic society where everyone in India is valued and given opportunity, he’s also a poet. As a tribute to his leadership, listen to excerpts from his poem “India at 75,” which shows his vision for a peaceful, prosperous society:
I sincerely hope that we will be The true spirit of democracy. Where everyone has equal rights And personal dreams are within our sights. Where our thoughts are never sectarian But very firmly humanitarian. Where hateful thoughts are gone and done And we are at peace with everyone.
Nadir B. Godrej, one of India’s most respected business leaders, is the Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej Industries Ltd. and Chairman of Godrej Agrovet Ltd. He is also the Co-Chair of Godrej Good & Green Governing Council, to which he is deeply committed. He holds a Master’s of Science degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is also the President of The Alliance Française De Bombay and a Member of the CII National Council and past Chairman of the CII National Committee on Chemicals. Mr. Godrej has been awarded the Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur, the prestigious CHEMTECH Leadership & Excellence Award 2017 – Hall of Fame, among several other awards.