Nikesh Arora gets Global Indian award: Here's what he said

MUMBAI: Japanese internet and telecom major Softbank Corp's chequebook remains open for Indian entrepreneurs after deploying $2 billion here in last 18 months, said president Nikesh Arora as he accepted the award of Global Indian at the ET Corporate Excellence Awards.

Arora, who earlier had a stint as chief business office at search giant Google, dedicated the award to his parents.

"This 26 year old journey would not have been possible without my wife, my sister, my family and many of my special friends in the audience today. But most importantly I would like to thank my parent," said Arora, who passed out from IIT-BHU as an engineer.

A clearly emotional Arora, who was presented the award by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, said his father could not make it as he was suffering from ALS.

Arora added that he started his journey in global business after reading a Harvard Business Review article by an Indian professor saying wave of globalisation is upon us and future leaders will have to be global.

“Thus began a journey 26 years ago from Varanasi to Boston to London to Bonn to San Francisco to Tokyo and finally back here,” said Arora, who has worked in Fidelity Investments and T Mobile before joining Google in 2004.

Softbank has emerged as the most aggressive investor in Indian internet backing companies like e-tailer Snapdeal, cab hailing app Ola, realty classifieds portal Housing, on demand delivery app Grofers and budget hotel booking player Oyo. The firm has also made significant investment in solar energy space.