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Business Standard
21-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Dr. C. B. Rao Launches a Book That Helps You Think with Clarity
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 21: Dr. C. Bhaktavatsala Rao, a well-known business leader and author, has launched his 18th book titled Think to Win: 101 Ways for Amazing Transformations. The book focuses on the one tool we all use every day--thinking. But most people don't think in a clear or deep way. This book helps people fix that. With over 50 years of work experience, Dr. Rao writes from real-life knowledge. He shares how clear thinking can make a big difference in personal and work life. The book has 101 short chapters. Each one talks about one way of thinking, such as creative thinking, collaborative thinking, or analytical thinking. It's easy to read and can help people in all fields. "Everyone thinks, but very few think clearly, fully, or deeply," says Dr. Rao. "This book helps you move from everyday thought to purposeful thinking that leads to real change." What This Book Does The book is made for people in all roles--students, managers, workers, business owners, teachers, and others. Each of the 101 ways is explained in short, with real examples. You don't need to read the book from start to end. You can pick any section and learn something useful. The goal is to help people think with purpose, in clear steps, and avoid careless thought. It covers many types of thinking, such as: * Functional Thinking * Innovative Thinking * Strategic Thinking * Productivity Thinking * Logical Thinking All the ideas are given in plain words with a clear message. About Dr. C. Bhaktavatsala Rao Dr. C. B. Rao has spent more than five decades in top roles in both Indian and global firms. He holds a Ph.D. and from IIT Madras and a Mechanical Engineering degree from Sri Venkateswara University. He worked with big companies in India, and the US, across industries like pharma, auto, and services. He served as Managing Director and later as Executive Chairman of Hospira Healthcare India, a company of Pfizer. He is now the Ajit Singhvi Chair Professor at IIT Madras. He also runs LeaderCrest Academy, a knowledge-based enterprise that builds leadership talent. Since 2016, Dr. Rao has written 18 books, based on work, life, leadership, and strategy. Some of his earlier books that are critically acclaimed include: * Personal Mastery: Competence-Behaviour Frameworks * Strategic Marketing: Cases and Concepts from Indian Business * Viksit Bharat 2047: Infrastructure. Innovation. Inclusion. Dr. Rao also writes a blog called "Strategy Musings," which has over 130 articles. His writing is clear, deep, and based on facts, not buzzwords. Why This Book is Useful Most people are busy and feel stressed at work. Thinking clearly helps in solving that. This book is made for those who want to improve how they plan, act, speak, and decide. Dr. Rao uses simple language and gives examples from meetings, teams, and real tasks. For example: * Want to speak up better in meetings? Try Assertive Thinking * Need a fix for a team issue? See Collaborative Thinking * Unsure how to plan ahead? Read Strategic Thinking Each chapter is concise. Section 1 of each chapter gives the core idea and related aspects in full. Section 2 reinforces the narration with examples of the thinking processes from the author's own experiences. Praise for the Book Think to Win has been well received by readers across age groups and fields. Its short chapters, clean style, and real-life examples have helped readers think better, act sharper, and grow steadily. "Sharp, Simple, and Truly Helpful." -- Writer Today In its full review, Writer Today said: "Think to Win is a smart and simple book. It gives clear ideas that can help improve thinking. A strong pick for anyone serious about growing as a person." Many readers have shared that the book's 101 thinking ideas are not only smart but also easy to use. Students, professionals, and leaders alike have praised the book for helping them improve how they think and work. Where to Get the Book Think to Win is now out on Amazon, Flipkart, Notion Press and other major online platforms. It is available in both paperback and e-book format. Buy Book
Arabian Business
23-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Indian Aces 2025: How 25 Family Dynasties are reshaping the Gulf's $2bn business landscape
From a single grocery store to a 50-outlet GCC empire. From trading electronics in Deira to commanding billion-dollar conglomerates across continents. These are stories of 25 Indian Family Dynasties, representing more than succession stories – they embody the Gulf's economic transformation over five decades, with combined operations spanning 101 countries and employing over 100,000 people. The 25 leaders recognised in this category represent enterprises that span three generations, collectively employing hundreds of thousands across sectors from healthcare to retail, hospitality to logistics. Family Dynasties: Where legacy meets revolution The Family Dynasties category of Indian Aces 2025 tells a story that runs deeper than succession. It's about businesses that began as trading posts and textile shops, now commanding billions in revenue across continents. But what makes this year's 25 standout isn't just their scale. It's how they've turned inheritance into innovation. Take Dino Varkey at GEMS Education. Third-generation leadership of a business that started nearly 60 years ago. But under his direction, GEMS isn't just running schools – it's shaping global education policy. Varkey sits on World Economic Forum councils, speaks at international summits, and drives conversations about the future of learning. This isn't traditional family business management. It's influence that transcends sectors. The numbers tell part of the story. Feroz Allana's IFFCO Group: $8 billion in revenue, operations in 50 countries, 15,000 employees from 67 nationalities. Shamlal Ahamed's Malabar Gold & Diamonds: 200 outlets across 13 countries, $7.5 billion annual turnover. These aren't family shops that got bigger. They're global enterprises that happen to be family-owned. But scale alone doesn't explain their recognition. What matters is how they're redefining what family business means in the modern Gulf. Selina Ved, second-generation at Apparel Group, didn't just join the family firm. She built from scratch, integrating AI tools and creator content to capture changing consumer behaviour. Her platform recorded 300 per cent growth in a year. This isn't about preserving tradition. It's about using family resources to build something new. The same pattern appears across sectors. Adel Sajan at Danube Group took a building materials business and turned it into a lifestyle brand, launching e-commerce platforms and virtual design tools during the pandemic. Online sales grew several-fold. Rohan Mehta at Petrochem Middle East is pursuing executive education at Harvard whilst driving digital transformation in petrochemical distribution. What's striking is the educational foundation. These leaders combine family business experience with formal credentials. Winchester College and University of Sheffield for Varkey. Harvard Business School for multiple members. Northeastern University for Mehta. Georgetown for Rahul Jagtiani. This isn't about learning the trade from the ground up anymore. It's about bringing external expertise into family enterprises. The geographic expansion matters too. Businesses that started in single cities now operate across multiple continents. Tony Jashanmal's retail empire spans from Kuwait to India. Rajen Kilachand's Dodsal Group operates in 22 countries. Anil Ramchandani's Kachins Group has moved from Dubai tailoring into West African markets. These leaders aren't just inheriting local businesses. They're building international platforms. Technology integration is reshaping traditional industries. Mahesh Shahdadpuri at TASC Outsourcing is exploring artificial intelligence applications including early forms of artificial general intelligence. Vidya Chhabria at Jumbo Electronics has built omnichannel retail platforms. Girish Narayanan at Granteq introduced video conferencing technology to the UAE before it became standard business practice. The philanthropy component runs deeper than corporate social responsibility. Rajen Kilachand has donated over $200 million in 15 years, funding institutions at Boston University and supporting global charities. Lekhu Pagarani's Choithrams operates through a foundation that partners with Médecins Sans Frontières and the UN World Food Programme. This isn't about giving back. It's about building parallel institutions. Healthcare representation is particularly strong. Akbar Moideen Thumbay oversees operations treating patients from 175 countries through seven academic hospitals. Zunubia Shams leads Zulekha Healthcare Group across the UAE and India, driving community health initiatives including cervical cancer prevention programmes. These aren't just family businesses in healthcare. They are healthcare systems. The retail presence spans from traditional formats to digital platforms. Choithrams operates 70 locations across the GCC. Landmark Group runs 2,200 outlets in 17 countries with 50,000 employees. But alongside these established players, leaders like Selina Ved are building digital-first beauty platforms that carry 14,000 products from 250 brands. What emerges from this year's Family Dynasties category is a group that's rewritten the rules of succession. They haven't just inherited businesses. They've inherited platforms and used them to build influence that extends far beyond their original sectors. Educational policy. International trade. Healthcare systems. Digital commerce. Philanthropic institutions. The old model of family business – learning from elders, maintaining traditions, growing gradually – has been replaced by something more dynamic. These leaders combine family resources with global education, traditional values with technological innovation, local roots with international expansion. This isn't about preserving legacy anymore. It's about using legacy as a foundation for transformation. And that transformation is reshaping not just their businesses, but the broader economic landscape of the Gulf region. RANK NAME DESIGNATION COMPANY 1 Dino Varkey Group CEO GEMS Education 2 Rahul Jagtiani Group Director Landmark Group 3 Shamlal Ahamed Managing Director of International Operations Malabar Gold & Diamonds 4 Adel Sajan Managing Director Danube Group 5 Dr. Dhananjay Datar Chairman and Managing Director Al Adil Group 6 Feroz Allana Director – IFFCO Allana Group 7 Tony Jashanmal Group President Jashanmal Group 8 Aarti Jagtiani Director Landmark Group 9 Lekhu Thakurdas Pagarani Chairman Choithrams 10 Ravi Menon Chairman Sobha Group 11 Abdulla Ajmal CEO Ajmal Group 12 Ramesh S. Ramakrishnan Chairman Transworld Group of Companies 13 Raju Shroff Chairman Regal Group of Companies 14 Rohan Mehta Managing Director Petrochem Middle East 15 Vidya Chhabria Chairperson Jumbo Electronics 16 Akbar Moideen Thumbay Vice President – Healthcare Division Thumbay Group 17 Selina Ved Co-founder and Director GCC Nysaa (JV with Apparel Group) 18 Girish Narayanan Managing Director Granteq 19 Rajen Khilachand Chairman and President Dodsal Group 20 Mahesh Shahdadpuri Director NIKAI 21 Hashim Vahedna Director and Vice President Vahedna Group of Companies 22 Prashant Goenka Director Emami 23 Anil Ramchandani Director of Business The Kachins Group 24 Zanubia Shams Co-chairperson Zulekha Healthcare Group 25 Rahul Shetty Managing Director Peninsula Hospitality
Arabian Business
23-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Indian Aces 2025: Meet the Gulf's most powerful Indian business leaders
The Indian business community remains an indispensable pillar of the United Arab Emirates' economic architecture. These entrepreneurs, executives, and visionaries – many of whom are celebrated in our Indian Aces 2025 power list – have transformed industries across the Emirates. From retail and healthcare to technology and construction, these business leaders have created enterprises that form the backbone of the region's economic landscape. With the Indian expatriate population reaching 4.36 million by late 2024 and over 90,000 Indian-owned companies operating throughout the UAE, their economic footprint is impossible to overstate. The Indian Aces power list recognises these business leaders who have built more than corporate empires; they've created entire ecosystems that drive innovation, employment, and economic diversification. The remarkable individuals featured in our 2025 Indian Aces list represent the pinnacle of this influence – seasoned titans who've spent decades building multibillion-dollar conglomerates alongside emerging disruptors redefining traditional markets. Their stories reflect not just personal success but the enduring strength of Indo-Gulf economic partnerships that continue to shape the region's future. Indian Aces 2025 Power List Atif Rahman has established himself as a thought leader in real estate through ORO24 Developments, a Dubai-based company focused on accessible property ownership. Under his leadership, the firm has launched 32 projects spanning 16.5 million square feet of built-up area, with AED 11.5 billion in sales portfolio across 11,750 units. Rahman's innovative '1%' payment plan has revolutionised property financing, making homeownership accessible to broader audiences. With developments across prime Dubai locations including Arjan, Studio City, and Sheikh Zayed Road, his business model combines products, associated services, financial engineering and relationships. Rahman has built a robust sales network of over 3,500 agents serving clients from more than 150 nationalities. 'I believe in doing business based on clean ethics and a value system that is rewarding for everyone involved by deploying our core competencies.' 2 Captain Pradeep Singh / Navneet Mandhani Founder, Karma Realty Developers; Chairman, Aethon Group / Co-founder, Karma Realty Developers Captain Pradeep Singh and Navneet Mandhani co-founded Karma Realty Developers in 2013, transforming it into a transnational development company with projects across the UAE, UK, Cyprus, Romania, and India. The firm has completed over 25 projects with a land bank of five million square feet and 2.5 million square feet under construction, representing a development pipeline valued at approximately $354 million. Their UAE portfolio includes luxury developments such as Beach House in Palm Jumeirah and Centurion Residence in Dubai Investment Park, with their Centurion Star project selling out in just three days. Singh, who was recently recognised in prestigious power lists for real estate leaders in the region, also chairs Aethon Group with diverse interests in shipping and technology. He began his career as a master mariner before establishing Aethon Marine Services in 2010, later expanding into a diversified conglomerate. Beyond business, Singh is a committed philanthropist supporting education and entrepreneurship initiatives across the region. Mandhani, a tech and trading entrepreneur, brings his expertise to bridge the market gap between high-end living and affordability, playing a significant role in Dubai's dynamic real estate landscape through innovative development concepts and strategic market positioning. Pankaj Gupta co-founded Gulf Islamic Investments (GII) in 2014, establishing it as a Shari'ah-compliant investment firm with over $4.5 billion in assets under management. With more than twenty years' experience, Gupta previously managed multi-asset UNHWI investment portfolios at National Bank of Abu Dhabi (2000-04), established Union National Financial Consultancy (2004-12), and co-founded a private equity platform before launching GII. His focus spans investments in education, food production, healthcare, private credit and debt across the GCC, India, Germany, and the United States. 'We were proud of our previous companies, but my co-founder and co-partner in GII, Mohammed Alhassan, and I thought that we could do even better if we created our own company,' Gupta said. He has established Eureka! GCC, Asia's largest business start-up competition, and remains 'eternally grateful to the UAE's leadership for enabling and encouraging constructive innovation across the region.' Bal Krishen has transformed Century Group from a modest financial services company into a diversified enterprise spanning investment services, wealth management, banking, insurance, real estate, technology, and logistics. Rising from his position as a dealer at Century Financial in 1999, Krishen's strategic vision expanded the firm into a global operation with DIFC-domiciled Century Private Wealth, Century Bank Brokers, and Savington International Insurance Broker. His leadership philosophy emphasises sustainability, simplicity, and scalability, with a strong focus on empowering individuals. His philanthropic efforts focus on financial literacy, economic empowerment, and sustainability initiatives. Century Financial has been recognised as one of the best workplaces, reflecting Krishen's commitment to fostering 'a dynamic, motivated, and engaged team' while building 'not just a successful enterprise but an enduring legacy.' Nilesh Khalkho has positioned Sharaf DG as a leading electronics retailer across the Middle East since its founding in 2005. Under his leadership, the company operates 30 stores across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and Oman, serving over one million customers monthly. With more than 20 years of experience in retail and technology, Khalkho previously held significant roles at Al Futtaim Telecom, DSS Mobile Communications, and Reliance Telecom. His customer-centric initiatives include the 'best price guarantee' and the 24-hour 'product not available, claim-free' promise. Over the years, Sharaf DG has won numerous industry accolades in the retail sector. The company's diverse workforce of 2,700 employees from over 40 nationalities reflects Khalkho's commitment to creating an inclusive environment while expanding the retailer's 700,000-square-foot footprint across the region. Omar Gull founded Cledor to bring technological innovation to the real estate sector in the Middle East. Drawing from his experience across different industry roles, Gull identified key pain points – slow processes, lack of transparency, and limited buyer access – that could be transformed through technology. His approach incorporates e-commerce, mobile platforms, and digital tools to create a more streamlined and customer-centric real estate market. 'The real estate sector has always been seen as traditional and sometimes resistant to change, but I saw an opportunity to bring a more modern, tech-driven approach,' Gull explained. 'My frustration with how slow the industry can be to adapt to new technologies and methods has been the main driver for challenging the status quo in real estate in the region.' Jayesh Patel is shaping the virtual banking landscape for the Middle East as CEO of Wio Bank PJSC, a platform bank headquartered in Abu Dhabi and owned by ADQ, Alpha Dubai, Etisalat, and First Abu Dhabi Bank. With 14 years in the fintech industry, Patel is building Wio as an open platform offering digital banking apps, embedded finance, and Banking-as-a-Service solutions. His experience includes working with Fortune 500 clients at Deloitte and IBM in the US before driving the development and launch of Liv. By Emirates NBD, where he oversaw its online finance ecosystem. Previously, as Head of Retail Strategy at Emirates NBD, he led the digitisation of customer services and processes. Patel remains an active member of the Angel investment community in the Middle East and North Africa region. Shyam Bhatia has transformed Alam Steel Group from a small building materials firm into one of the largest steel companies in the Middle East since founding it in 1979. Arriving in Dubai by ship in 1965, the Indian entrepreneur now oversees five subsidiaries, including recent expansions with a production facility in Dubai (2022) for fabricating steel plates for the oil and gas industry and a reinforcement steel bar facility in Abu Dhabi (2024). The company's rebar factory at Dubai Investments Park has a production capacity of 300,000 tonnes annually. Beyond business, Bhatia is equally passionate about cricket, initiating the Cricket For Care Foundation in 2007 to provide equipment, facilities, and coaching to underprivileged children across 20 countries. He also curates what may be the world's only private cricket museum and has been named one of the UAE's 40 most influential Asians. Ankur Aggarwal and Vivek Anand Oberoi have established BNW Developments as one of the fastest-scaling real estate firms in the Middle East, with over AED 20 billion in assets under management. Aggarwal, a Chartered Accountant who transitioned from finance to real estate in 2021, serves as Chairman and Founder, while Oberoi, globally recognised as an actor and entrepreneur, is Co-Founder and Managing Director. Their portfolio includes design-forward projects such as Taj Wellington Mews, Aqua Arc, FashionTV Acacia, and Orvessa. Recognised as the largest private developer in Ras Al Khaimah, BNW operates with a 400+ strong team and zero-backlog track record. 'The visionary governance of the Emirates and the region's progressive leadership have created a business environment where innovation isn't just encouraged, it's systemically supported,' said Aggarwal. 'For us, real estate isn't just about construction, it's storytelling. It's legacy-building. We wanted to develop spaces that don't just function, but inspire,' Oberoi added. Avinash Babur has built into the UAE's largest digital insurance platform, serving over 200,000 policyholders with a 4.8-star rating across 25,000+ Google reviews. The second-generation entrepreneur transformed AFIA Insurance Brokerage Services LLC into a technology-led, customer-first brand so successful it secured naming rights to the InsuranceMarket Metro Station in Dubai. Under Babur's leadership, the company has rejected commission-driven selling while introducing innovations like InstantAlfred, a 24/7 human-backed advisory chat. 'Insurance was always meant to offer peace of mind – but in practice, it became confusing, transactional, and opaque,' Babur explained. 'We didn't just want to sell policies – we wanted to protect people's futures in a way they understood and valued.' As chapter chair of YPO UAE, Babur is increasingly recognised as a thought leader shaping the region's financial services future. Sonia Gokhale is a Co-Founder and General Partner at VentureSouq, a Dubai-based venture capital firm established in 2013. The firm has invested in over 250 startups globally, with a focus on fintech and climate tech. Notably, VentureSouq launched the MENA region's first sector-specific fintech fund, MENA FinTech Fund I, a $50 million initiative targeting early-stage fintech and SaaS companies across MENA and Pakistan. Gokhale has also led the Conscious Collective fund, which supports mission-driven startups addressing environmental and social challenges. Rishi Kapoor is Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Investcorp, a Bahrain-based alternative investment firm managing over $52 billion in assets across 14 offices globally. He joined Investcorp in 1992 from Citigroup and has held various senior roles, including Co-CEO from 2015 to 2024 and Chief Financial Officer from 2003 to 2015. Kapoor is instrumental in the firm's strategic focus on sustainability, overseeing the development of a multi-billion-dollar platform targeting climate tech investments. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Bahrain, chairing its Risk & Compliance Committee. Shoba Menon is the Group CEO and founding partner of Equity Group of Companies, an independent advertising agency established in Dubai in 1998. Under her leadership, the agency has expanded its presence across the MENA region, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and has serviced over 20 high-profile clients such as Citibank, Dettol, and L'Oréal Paris. Menon previously served as Managing Director for Wunderman MENA and holds a Master's in Industrial Psychology from the University of Mysore. Padma Kumar has established Luxe Port as a premier distributor of luxury fragrances in the UAE since founding it in 2018. The company, which employs over 150 staff, provides comprehensive go-to-market services including import, warehousing, logistics, marketing, and brand registration. Under Kumar's leadership, Luxe Port inaugurated a state-of-the-art Dubai headquarters in early 2024, symbolised by a decade-forward time capsule sealed until 2029. Initially focused on EuroItalia brand distribution, Kumar has expanded into new luxury fragrance partnerships while implementing tech-forward marketing initiatives. In 2023, Luxe Port became the UAE's first luxury fragrance distributor to receive Great Place to Work certification, earning congratulations from H.H. Sheikh Mana Bin Hasher Al Maktoum. Kumar has also guided international expansion, with a November 2023 investment of around $18 million into India's White Lotus Group to support luxury real estate projects. Himanshu Saini has established himself as a pioneering force in modern Indian cuisine at Trèsind Studio in Dubai. Born in New Delhi, Saini began under chef Manish Mehrotra at Indian Accent before joining Masala Library and Farzi Café. After moving to the UAE, he launched Trèsind Studio in 2018 as a 20-seater chef's table concept reimagining Indian traditions. The restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2022, a second in 2023, and made history in 2025 by securing a third Michelin star – becoming the first Indian restaurant globally to achieve this distinction. Saini's unprecedented acclaim includes four Gault&Millau toques (another first for Indian cuisine), Gault&Millau's Chef of the Year (2023), and recognition in The World's 50 Best Restaurants, where Trèsind Studio ranked #11 in 2023, #13 in 2024, and #27 in 2025. The Best Chef Awards named Trèsind Studio 'Best Restaurant' and Saini 'Best Chef' in Dubai in 2024, awarding the maximum three knives distinction. Describing himself as an 'ingredient scientist,' Saini blends science, art, and heritage in menus featuring 50 per cent vegetarian dishes. He oversees culinary teams at Trèsind locations in Mumbai and Kuwait, and co-launched Avatara in Mumbai – a 100 per cent vegetarian restaurant. In 2024, he joined Jaeger-LeCoultre's 'Made of Makers' program, creating dishes paralleling watchmaking precision. Dileep Kumar is the founder and chairman of Heilbronn Properties, a Dubai-based luxury real estate developer established in 2002. A civil engineer by profession and self-taught architect, Kumar has transformed a modest engineering office into a prestigious property development company serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals. The company has developed high-end properties in prime locations such as Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, and Jumeirah Golf Estates, with a reputation for exceptional quality and meticulous specifications. Currently, Kumar is spearheading a 1.6 million square foot expansion of luxury residential towers across key city locations, set for completion by 2027. His property portfolio includes involvement in landmark projects like the Burj Khalifa and Mall of the Emirates. Beyond business, Kumar is an accomplished golfer who has represented the UAE in international events, including the BMW Amateur World Golf Final in South Africa (2006) and the Turkish Airlines World Final in Turkey (2019). His philanthropic initiatives include a tennis academy in Kerala, India, providing free training to underprivileged children while producing several state and district players. Sumeet Khutale founded Lamaa Tech in early 2021, establishing it as a pioneering fintech firm providing supply chain finance, invoice financing, and B2B 'buy now, pay later' solutions for Middle Eastern SMEs. With a strong background in financial technology from roles at Barclays Capital and J.P. Morgan, Khutale secured one of Saudi Arabia's largest seed funding rounds – $5.5 million – co-led by Raed Ventures and Saudi Aramco's Wa'ed entrepreneurship arm. Under his leadership, Lamaa rapidly attracted over 100 corporate clients and processed more than $1 billion worth of invoices within months of launch. The Riyadh-based company now supports 1,500+ SMEs and has launched a $100 million funding program with Rassanah Capital. Aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals of boosting SME contributions to the economy, Khutale is expanding Lamaa's services into Egypt, the UAE, and Qatar. In 2025, Forbes Middle East ranked Lamaa Tech #42 in its Fintech 50 list. Vineet Budki leads Sigma Capital, a Dubai-based $100 million crypto-native venture capital fund focused on Web3 investments across early-stage ventures, liquid tokens, DeFi yields, and fund-of-funds allocations. With 21 years in the UAE, Budki previously served as CEO and Managing Partner at Cypher Capital, growing it to manage hundreds of millions in AUM. Throughout his career, he has personally overseen investments in over 300 blockchain startups, including industry leaders like Mysten Labs (Sui), Peaq Network, Revolving Games, Manta Network, Casper Labs, Mocaverse, and Humanity Protocol. A recognised thought leader, Budki speaks at prestigious global forums including the World Economic Forum in Davos, Consensus, and Token2049. In 2024, Arabian Business named him among the 'Top 10 Crypto Personalities Globally.' 'I would advise people to look at Value and the Efficiency that you are going to bring to an established industry and not be driven by short-term gains,' said Budki. 'Money [or] wealth is a good initiator, but legacy [and] vision should drive someone who wants to disrupt.' Harish Prithvi serves as Chief Operating Officer at AIX Investment Group, emerging as a transformative force in the UAE's financial sector with over two decades of experience across consulting, real estate, finance, and technology. Beginning his career in the mid-2000s with global giants like KPMG and Tata Group, Prithvi joined AIX as Director of Strategy, where his innovative approach redefined client engagement and product structuring. As COO, he orchestrates AIX's strategic growth through regulatory expertise, market intelligence, and a deep understanding of investor behaviour to deliver bespoke, risk-managed investment solutions. Under his leadership, AIX has earned multiple accolades, including Gulf Business Investment Company of the Year (2023). Named Business Leader of the Year in Finance (2023), Prithvi represents the dynamic evolution of Indian leadership in the Middle East's investment landscape. 'My advice to anyone looking to disrupt established industries is simple: don't chase disruption – chase relevance. True impact doesn't come from breaking things for the sake of being different; it comes from deeply understanding the pain points in your industry and solving them in a way that's sustainable, scalable, and meaningful,' said Prithvi. Ramesh Cidambi serves as Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, reporting directly to H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. With the company since 1988, when he joined as head of the IT division, Cidambi spent eight years as Chief Operating Officer before his current appointment. During his 37-year tenure, he has overseen the company's transformation into the world's largest airport retailer in a single location, achieving sales of US$2.164 billion in 2024. Cidambi's responsibilities span all operational aspects across over 40,000 square metres of retail space at Dubai's airports. He also directs Dubai Duty Free Leisure, encompassing Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, The Irish Village Bar and Restaurant in two locations, Century Village and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Cidambi maintains strong industry connections as chairman of a Merchants Advisory Board and treasurer of Dubai's Retail Business Group. 'Dubai Duty Free had to be continuously innovative as both products and technology change constantly and the consumers in the Middle East are one of the most discerning in the world,' said Cidambi. Benoy Kurien is the Group CEO of Al Hamra, a UAE-based lifestyle development and investment company established in 2003. Since his appointment as CEO in 2018, he has overseen the expansion of Al Hamra's portfolio, which includes Al Hamra Village, a 77-million-square-foot waterfront community featuring over 4,000 residential units, five hotels, a marina, and a shopping mall. Under his leadership, Al Hamra has launched luxury projects such as the Waldorf Astoria Residences Ras Al Khaimah and the Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort. Kurien has also championed inclusivity initiatives, including a partnership with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to support individuals with hidden disabilities across Al Hamra's properties. 22 Rishi Kishor Gupta Regional Director, Nothing Tech Rishi Kishor Gupta serves as Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa at Nothing Tech, a London-based consumer technology company known for its minimalist design philosophy. Since his appointment in November 2022, Gupta has spearheaded the brand's expansion across the GCC, launching products such as Phone (1), Phone (2), and the Phone (3a) series. With 15-18 years of experience in retail, consumer electronics, and tech leadership, he previously played a key role in building Huawei's Middle East operations. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, Gupta has been instrumental in securing strategic distribution agreements across the UAE and Bahrain in early 2024, overseeing triple-digit sales growth for Nothing's product lines including Phone (1), Buds Pro 2, and Watch Pro 2. His leadership has earned him recognition as Outstanding CEO at the UAE Mastermind Awards 2025 and Next-Gen Leader by Inc. Arabia. Beyond his corporate role, Gupta maintains an active presence on LinkedIn with over 16,000 followers, where he engages as a mentor, investor, and speaker, while also serving as a thought leader at industry events and in regional tech media. Satya Anand is President for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Marriott International, overseeing over 998 hotels across 75 countries. Since his appointment in 2020, he has led strategic functions including operations, finance and development, and driven record growth, including 291 hotel signings in 2024. A Marriott veteran since 1988, when he started as a night auditor at the Vienna Marriott Hotel, Anand has held key roles including CFO Europe and COO Luxury & Southern Europe. Under his leadership, Marriott has completed major projects including the multi-million-dollar renovation of The Ritz-Carlton Berlin, the launch of The St. Regis Venice, and the expansion of W Hotels with additions such as W Ibiza. Bally Singh is the Chairman of HOKO Agency, a globally recognised creative and marketing powerhouse with offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Singapore, and Marbella. The agency has delivered standout campaigns and events for prestigious clients including LVMH, Mercedes-Benz, Red Bull, OKX, DP World, McLaren, and Alfa Romeo. With roots in global events and brand activations, Singh has established himself as an unconventional leader with a future-forward approach to marketing. Beyond HOKO, he co-founded Hum(AI)n Assets, a pioneering content production platform that blends AI speed with human creative oversight. His recent acquisition of Everdome and integration of blockchain-powered systems into content workflows positions him at the intersection of fintech, media, and innovation. Singh has also advised prominent entities like Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Department of Culture and Tourism, contributing to the UAE's economic and cultural landscape. 'Building in the Middle East has forced me to raise my expectations – not just of others, but of myself. It's one of the few regions in the world where ambition isn't just respected, it's expected,' states Singh. 'Disruption isn't a buzzword here, it's the baseline.' Dyuti Parruck is the CEO and co-founder of Decisive Zone, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in business setup, Golden Visa facilitation, and end-to-end corporate services. Established in 2019, the firm has grown to employ over 200 professionals serving more than 6,000 clients with a valuation exceeding $27 million. Widely recognised as 'Mr. Golden Visa,' Parruck has helped industry professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and creatives secure long-term UAE residency and establish companies in the region. Under his leadership, Decisive Zone has expanded its presence to the United States while broadening its service portfolio to include real estate through a strategic joint venture with Safa Siddiqui, aimed at assisting high-net-worth individuals relocating to the UAE. His approach focuses on simplifying complex processes across company formation, visa services, banking, and relocation. 'I saw an opportunity to make business setup more transparent and accessible, especially for people outside the UAE,' said Parruck. 'We help clients start their business, secure their residency, and find their home – all under one roof.'
Entrepreneur
26-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Indian HR Leaders Anticipate 383% Rise in Agentic AI Adoption by 2027
The shift will require every employee to gain new human, agent, and business skills, says Nathalie Scardino, President and Chief People Officer, Salesforce You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Agentic AI is set to transform the Indian workplace, with a projected 383 per cent growth in adoption by 2027, according to new research by Salesforce. The survey reveals that only 12 per cent of Indian organisations have implemented agentic AI so far, but this is expected to surge to 58 per cent within two years. The study highlights that HR leaders foresee major shifts in workforce dynamics. CHROs anticipate redeploying nearly a quarter (24.7 per cent) of their employees to new roles, aiming to enhance productivity by 41.7 per cent and reduce labour costs by 26.2 per cent. Digital labour is no longer viewed as a support function, it is emerging as a strategic imperative. Despite this momentum, 88 per cent of Indian businesses are yet to fully adopt agentic AI, and 63 per cent of HR leaders say employees are unaware of how digital labour will affect their roles. To bridge this gap, 88 per cent of CHROs are either already reskilling workers (15 per cent) or planning to do so (73 per cent), focusing on both technical and soft skills. AI literacy has been identified as the most essential skill in the coming years, alongside interpersonal capabilities. As AI agents take on routine tasks, human workers are expected to shift into relationship-focused roles, such as account management and partnerships. More than half (54 per cent) of CHROs plan to redeploy employees into such positions, while others will be reassigned to roles in compliance, ethics, and AI governance. With research and development (59 per cent) and IT (51 per cent) expected to expand, the HR function is becoming central to navigating the AI transition. Nathalie Scardino, President and Chief People Officer, Salesforce, said the shift will require every employee to gain new human, agent, and business skills. "We're in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime transformation of work with digital labor that is unlocking new levels of productivity, autonomy, and agency at a speed never before thought possible," said Scardino. "Every industry must redesign jobs, reskill, and redeploy talent — and every employee will need to learn new human, agent, and business skills to thrive in the digital labor revolution."
Entrepreneur
11-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
National Technology Day 2025: Agentic AI – India's Next Tech Frontier?
For Agentic AI to truly thrive, experts say that businesses must embrace more than just technological upgrades Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. "Agentic AI represents a fundamental advancement in artificial intelligence. It means creating AI systems with true agency—ones that can perceive, reason, plan, and take action independently," said Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, during his keynote at GTC 2025. Echoing this vision, financial commentator Raoul Pal noted in a podcast, "Agentic AI will independently build entire businesses, revolutionising competition and innovation." But are Indian businesses ready to embrace this era of intelligent autonomy? Deloitte's fourth wave of the State of GenAIreport (India perspective) found that over 80 per cent of Indian organisations are exploring the development of autonomous agents, suggesting that the business landscape is leaning strongly toward Agentic AI. However, while optimism is widespread, the journey from exploration to execution remains complex. Apurv Agrawal, Co-founder and CEO of SquadStack, believes there are foundational realities that businesses must accept. He explained that building Agentic AI is not simply about deploying APIs or refining large language models. "It's about re-architecting how your business thinks. You're designing systems that don't just respond, but act autonomously with context, judgement, and accountability." He noted that for enterprises starting from scratch, the cost could range from INR 50 crore to INR 200 crore over three to five years. And even then, deployment success is not guaranteed unless systems, data loops, and change management are bulletproof. According to Agrawal, while a large percentage of Indian leaders express intent to adopt Agentic AI, that intent doesn't automatically translate into capability. "We're still in the early innings. India will see pockets of meaningful adoption within 12 to 18 months, but broad-scale adoption will take three to five years," he said. Narendra Sen, Founder & CEO of RackBank and NeevCloud, agreed that a paradigm shift is essential. "Indian businesses must evolve from task automation to intelligent, context-aware decision-making. AI needs to be treated not just as a tool but as a collaborative partner." Early results industry leaders are seeing Suryanarayanan Ramamurthy, Head of Data Science, Contentstack, shared that infusing Agentic AI into their platform led to a noticeable uptick in customer take rates and enabled scalable personalisation. "We're piloting workflows that help automate complex tasks and support faster decision-making. The impact is clear even at this early stage." Nishant Rathi, Founder and Director, NeoSOFT, pointed to improved resolution times and internal efficiencies. "In customer service, autonomous agents reduced average resolution time by nearly 40 per cent. They're also generating test cases, recommending code refactors, and even streamlining onboarding through knowledge agents." Beerud Sheth, CEO of Gupshup, said companies using their AI agents saw productivity improvements of at least 40 per cent. "We've seen lead conversion rates double or triple, especially in sectors like real estate, e-commerce, and financial services." Ganesh Gopalan, Co-founder and CEO of echoed similar outcomes. "Our deployments reduced customer support costs by up to 80 per cent while significantly improving CSAT scores. These agents don't just replace humans, they augment them by automating routine tasks." Kanakalata Narayanan, Vice President of Engineering, Ascendion, noted the significance of evolving AI standards. "With frameworks like the Multi-Agent Collaboration Protocol, we now have digital specialists that reason, collaborate, and only escalate to humans when required." From hype to implementation For Agentic AI to truly thrive, experts say that businesses must embrace more than just technological upgrades. Moumita Sarker, Partner, Deloitte India, emphasised the need for democratising AI use across teams and building libraries of reusable agents. "It's not just about using agents but allowing them to own iterative, non-standard tasks." According to Narayanan, leadership must treat Agentic AI as a strategic investment. "This isn't just about upgrading software; it's about transforming the workforce. We need governance, experimentation budgets, and rapid prototyping." Gopalan added that businesses often stop at automation but fail to embrace AI as an evolving collaborator. "Success lies in building robust data infrastructure, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and enabling human-AI synergy." Vara Kumar Namburu, Co-founder of Whatfix, believes the focus must return to people. "AI must simplify workflows, not create friction. Our philosophy of 'Userisation' puts the user first. Technology must adapt to people, not the other way around." Barriers in scaling Despite the momentum, infrastructure and workforce readiness remain hurdles. "Agentic AI is compute-hungry," said Sen. "It requires high-frequency inferencing, orchestration, and integrations. At RackBank, we're building India's first full-stack AI infra platform to address this." Sheth added that legacy systems continue to be a bottleneck. "Many enterprises can't scale AI because their systems don't support modular integration. That's where our API-first approach helps bridge the gap." Mahesh Parab from PwC highlighted another challenge: hallucination control and agent lifecycle management. "We need frameworks that make agents behave responsibly, are auditable, and align with business KPIs—just like human employees." On the talent front, most firms are taking proactive measures. Sheth said that at Gupshup, 35 per cent of coding workflows are already AI-augmented. "We offer hands-on training, online modules, and ensure cross-functional fluency." Ramamurthy noted that Contentstack has embedded real-world pilot projects, internal labs, and AI adoption hackathons. "We're preparing teams not just to understand Agentic AI but to shape it." Rathi added, "We're focused on systems thinking and human-AI cooperation. Training alone isn't enough—we need a mindset of experimentation and agility." Economic impact across sectors The potential of Agentic AI to contribute to India's GDP is not just aspirational—it's already visible in pilots across healthcare, agriculture, and education. In healthcare, Gopalan highlighted how multilingual voice agents are reducing patient no-shows and improving rural care delivery. Sen added that AI triage agents could handle up to 60 per cent of OPD cases—critical in a country with a 1:800 doctor-patient ratio. In agriculture, adaptive agents are already helping farmers optimise sowing schedules and predict pest outbreaks. According to Parab, this has led to 15 per cent higher yields and 20 per cent water savings in early pilots. In education, voice-powered tutors and agent-based learning systems are helping students in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities study at their own pace. As Rathi said, "This isn't just about innovation—it's about equitable access." Parab also underscored the macroeconomic angle. He said, "If executed correctly, Agentic AI could add USD 300 billion to India's GDP by 2030." India's entry into the Agentic AI era is not merely speculative, it is already underway. However, true readiness will depend on holistic progress. As Namburu puts it, "The promise of AI lies in making it truly work for people. That's the essence of transformation."
