The prestigious 20th CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards (IBLA), presented by Standard Chartered Bank, honored exemplary leaders driving innovation, growth, and transformation across industries. Held in Mumbai, this landmark event celebrated trailblazers who are redefining success through bold actions and visionary strategies.

According to a press release, the evening’s highlight was the recognition of stalwarts like KP Singh, Chairman Emeritus of DLF, who received the ‘Hall of Fame’ award for revolutionizing India’s real estate landscape. Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Founder of the Serum Institute of India, was presented the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award for his pivotal contributions to global healthcare. Nita Ambani, Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, was honored with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Brand India’ award for her work in promoting Indian culture on the world stage.

Actor Rajkummar Rao was named ‘Entertainment Leader of the Year’, while Bajaj Auto, led by Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj, was recognized as the ‘Outstanding Company of the Year.’

The event featured thought-provoking conversations with policymakers, shedding light on India’s economic trajectory:
• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari discussed agricultural reforms, emphasizing the need to embrace innovation and technology to elevate rural purchasing power and agricultural growth.
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal challenged conventional monetary policy approaches, advocating for a nuanced understanding of inflation and interest rate dynamics.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled transformative projects, including the Badhwar port and the third Mumbai airport, positioning Maharashtra as India’s first trillion-dollar sub-national economy.

The awards were judged by an illustrious panel of industry leaders, chaired by Babasaheb N Kalyani, Chairman & MD, Bharat Forge. Other members included senior executives from Standard Chartered Bank, State Bank of India, L&T, Apollo Hospitals, and more.
Complete List of Winners
• Brand Campaign of the Year: Ariel
• Young Turk of the Year: Noise
• Young Turk Startup of the Year: The Sleep Company
• Breakout Brand of the Year: BlissClub
• Outstanding Contribution to Climate Consciousness: BATX Energies
• Disruptor of the Year: Blinkit
• Most Promising Company of the Year: PI Industries
• Outstanding Business Leader of the Year: Vellayan Subbiah
• Outstanding Company of the Year: Bajaj Auto
• Outstanding Contribution to Public Service: Sunita Narain
• Outstanding Contribution to the Indian Economy (Special Recognition): IIT Madras
• Entertainment Leader of the Year: Rajkummar Rao
• Sports Leader of the Year: Indian Chess Team – Tania Sachdev
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla
• Outstanding Contribution to Brand India: Nita Ambani
• Hall of Fame: KP Singh

The 20th IBLA underscored the enduring importance of innovation, resilience, and leadership in shaping India’s future. With 17 award categories spanning diverse sectors, the event stood as a testament to India’s transformative journey in business and culture.