“India is a part of me and I carry it with me everywhere,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, as he received the prestigious Padma Bhushan award from the Indian envoy to the US.
Indian-American Pichai received the Padma Bhushan for 2022 in the Trade and Industry category. Madurai-born Pichai was named one of 17 winners earlier this year.
He received India’s third-highest civilian honor on Friday in the presence of his close relatives in San Francisco.
“I am deeply grateful to the Government of India and the people of India for this immense honour. It is incredibly significant to be honored in this way by the country that formed me,” said 50-year-old Pichai as he accepted the award from India’s ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
“India is a part of me. I carry it with me everywhere (unlike this beautiful award which I will keep in a safe place),” he said.
“I was lucky enough to grow up in a family that nurtured learning and knowledge, with parents who sacrificed a lot to make sure I had the opportunity to explore my interests,” Pichai said.
India’s Consul General in San Francisco, TV Nagendra Prasad, was also present at the event.
Sandhu said Pichai represented technology’s limitless potential for transformation.
“He has made commendable efforts to make digital tools and skills accessible to different segments of society in different parts of the world,” he said.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of technology that combines 3Ss – speed, simplicity and service, Sandhu hoped that Google would take full advantage of the digital revolution underway in India.
Pichai said it had been great to return to India many times over the years to see the rapid pace of technological change.
The innovations created in India are benefiting people around the world — from digital payments to voice technology, he said.
“I look forward to continuing the great partnership between Google and India as we work together to bring the benefits of technology to more people,” he said.
Businesses are seizing the opportunity for digital transformation and more people are accessing the internet than ever before, including in rural villages, Pichai said.
“Prime Minister Modi’s Digital India vision has certainly accelerated that progress and I am proud that Google continues to invest in India over two transformative decades and work with governments, businesses and communities,” he said.
“Every new technology that came to us made our lives better. And that experience led me on the path to Google and the opportunity to help build technology that improves the lives of people around the world,” he said.
Pichai said he sees so many opportunities ahead.
On India taking over the G20 presidency, Pichai said: “It is a great opportunity to build consensus on strengthening the global economy by promoting an internet that is open, connected, secure and works for everyone. That is a goal that we share and what we are committed to. to come with you.” India formally assumed the presidency of the G20 on Thursday.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to do this work together and bring the benefits of technology to more people,” Pichai said.
Google added 24 new languages to its translation service this year using a new advancement in machine learning. Eight of them are languages native to India.
“It means so much to see people access information and knowledge in their preferred language, and to see the world opening up to them in new ways. That is why I remain so optimistic about technology and why I believe India can and should keep leading,” he added.
