Wipro's Premji gets Swiss Ambassador's Award for inspirational & socially responsible leadership

NEW DELHI: Azim Premji, Chairman, Wipro Ltd has received the ' Swiss Ambassador's Award for inspirational and socially responsible leadership'. Premji received the award in a ceremony in Mumbai that was attended by leading industry leaders and eminent personalities.

The award recognizes his commitment to values, with the firm belief that success in business eventually but inevitably follows.

Swiss Ambassador to India, Dr. Linus von Castelmur, referring to Azim Premji as one of the beacons of India's corporate world, emphasized that the Wipro chairman has maintained values such as tolerance, honesty, modesty, ethical and social responsible behavior while reaching entrepreneurial heights.

Delivering the laudatory speech, Jamshyd Godrej, Chairman & Managing Director, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. said, "Azim has always had a frugal lifestyle. Some of the greatest persons in business over the last fifty years are those who were driven by the passion of development in a totally selfless way. Azim stands tall among them, shunning personal recognition. This deep commitment to the development of India led him to be a leader in philanthropy so that he could use his considerable wealth to do good for those many millions of Indians who lacked opportunity in education."

Switzerland holds special significance for Wipro. Wipro started operations in Switzerland fifteen years ago and today counts over 60% of the Swiss-headquartered blue chip companies as its customers and partners. Wipro's offices in Switzerland are located at Zurich, Basel and Geneva.

Azim Premji in his acceptance speech said, "It's an honor to receive the Swiss Ambassador's award. I feel strongly that corporations have their own responsibility to society and individuals have their own responsibility. We must do good work in the area of corporate social responsibility and those of us, who are privileged to have acquired wealth, also must engage with personal philanthropy."

Swiss Ambassador's Award recognizes individuals who have contributed to the promotion of Indo-Swiss bilateral relations or have stood out for their exceptional role in the society and industry. The award was constituted in the year 2010 and has since been conferred on noted producer-director Yash Chopra; Ratan Tata, Chairman-Emeritus of Tata Sons; CMD of Glenmark Generics Limited, Glenn Saldanha and RV Kanoria, CMD, Kanoria Chemicals & Industries Ltd.