Latest news with #Sreedharan
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Google Cloud appoints Sashikumar Sreedharan as new India MD, eyes next phase of AI-led growth
Google Cloud has named Sashikumar Sreedharan the new managing director for its India operations. This marks a key leadership shift as the company accelerates its AI-led growth in one of its most dynamic markets, said Google. Sreedharan succeeds Bikram Singh Bedi, who will now focus on regional strategic priorities across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. He previously served as managing director of Microsoft India and has also held senior roles at SAP and IBM. 'It has been an incredible four and a half years… and I am immensely proud of the business we have built,' reflected Bedi. 'I look forward to contributing to APAC's strategic priorities and watching India's continued success in this new chapter under Sashi's leadership.' Sreedharan, who joined Google Cloud in 2023 as the Chief Operating Officer for APAC, brings over three decades of industry experience to the role. According to Google, his leadership will focus on scaling Google Cloud's enterprise business and supporting India's growing developer ecosystem. Commenting on his new role, Sreedharan said, 'My time as APAC COO has deeply affirmed my belief in Google Cloud's winning strategy and powerful AI-first platform. I am excited to return to the field and to work with our customers to advance their innovation agenda.' Backed by strong demand for AI-powered platforms and tools, Google Cloud has seen rapid growth in India over the past year. Businesses like HDFC Bank, Meesho, Manipal Hospitals, Tech Mahindra, and Dream11 are increasingly using their products to 'innovate at scale'. Google Cloud India also continues to work closely with public sector institutions, including ONDC, Nirmit Bharat, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, among others. 'Google Cloud is uniquely positioned to partner with Indian businesses and the public sector to harness AI's transformative power,' said Karan Bajwa, president of Google Cloud Asia Pacific. 'As Sashi takes on the leadership of our team in India, I'm confident he will further propel our organisation and our customers to their next phase of growth.' (This article has been curated by Arfan Jeelany, who is an intern with The Indian Express)
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Google Cloud elevates Sashikumar Sreedharan as MD for India business
Google Cloud on Monday announced that Sashikumar Sreedharan will succeed Bikram Singh Bedi as its new Managing Director for India. Bedi will now focus on regional strategic initiatives. Sreedharan, a technology industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, joined Google Cloud as Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific in September 2023, based in Bengaluru. In this new role, he will lead Google Cloud's go-to-market organisation in India, working with the company's enterprise and digital-native customers, valued partners, and developer ecosystem as they build for an AI-first future. Karan Bajwa, President, Google Cloud, Asia Pacific, said: 'AI is poised to redefine India's industries and supercharge the productivity and creativity of its vast talent pool. With our deep AI heritage, cutting-edge technical infrastructure, and innovative solutions, Google Cloud is uniquely positioned to partner with Indian businesses and the public sector to harness AI's transformative power.' Bajwa added: 'I want to thank Bikram, who has been instrumental in driving Google Cloud's success in India till date. He will now shift his focus to regional strategic initiatives. As Sashi takes on the leadership of our team in India, I'm confident he will further propel our organisation and our customers to their next phase of growth in this crucial market.' Google Cloud has experienced significant growth over the past 12 months, driven by the rapid introduction and widespread adoption of its powerful AI models and fully integrated AI technology platform, the company said. Organisations across sectors are leveraging Google Cloud's solutions and expertise to innovate at scale. This includes leading financial services players such as HDFC Bank, HDFC Ergo, and ICICI Prudential; major retail businesses like Flipkart, Meesho, and Myntra; healthcare providers including Apollo 24/7, Manipal Hospitals, and Dr Reddy's Laboratories; IT services companies such as Tech Mahindra and Wipro; and digital-native firms like Glance, ShareChat, and Dream11. Google Cloud has also partnered with the public sector, including entities like ONDC, the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Nirmit Bharat, Karamyogi, and to accelerate digitalisation and enhance citizen service delivery using the full potential of Cloud and AI. Prior to joining Google Cloud, Sreedharan was Managing Director at Microsoft India, where he led the enterprise business. He has also held leadership roles at SAP, IBM, and other companies in India. Sreedharan said: 'My time as COO for APAC has deeply affirmed my belief in Google Cloud's winning strategy and powerful AI-first platform. I am excited to return to the field and work with our customers to advance their innovation agenda.' 'It has been an incredible four and a half years leading Google Cloud in India, and I am immensely proud of the business we have built with the support of my team, our customers and partners. I look forward to contributing to APAC's strategic priorities and watching India's continued success in this new chapter under Sashi's leadership,' said Bikram Singh Bedi.
NDTV
22-06-2025
- NDTV
Madhya Pradesh High Court To Hear Nursing College Scam Case Daily From July 3
Bhopal: Four years after NDTV first exposed a massive fraud in Madhya Pradesh's nursing colleges, the case has taken a critical turn. The Madhya Pradesh High Court will now hold daily hearings in the case starting July 3, underlining the gravity of what the court has called a "sensitive issue in the health sector." A division bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice DK Paliwal made the decision during a hearing earlier this week. The court is now treating the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vishal Baghel, as the lead case, which is also under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "Capital Punishment Should Be Given" In a dramatic moment during the hearing, Justice Sreedharan was visibly shocked after going through the photos and order sheets, revealing the condition of some nursing colleges. "Oh my god," he exclaimed and asked, "Has the court seen these photos before? What is happening?" One photograph showed how the same campus had different boards put up - Engineering, BEd, and Nursing College - changed as per convenience. Another revealed colleges that existed only on plastic boards, without any infrastructure. "There should be capital punishment for people doing this. We forgive them for murders because that's a crime of passion, but these are premeditated offences," Justice Sreedharan said sternly. The bench expressed deep concern, calling the scam a systemic rot that threatens the future of healthcare in the state. The court rebuked officials of the Indian Nursing Council and Madhya Pradesh Nursing Council for repeated non-compliance. Despite 48 hearings and 96 exemptions granted to the officials so far, key records have still not been submitted. The bench observed that this kind of deliberate delay would be treated as "interference in the judicial process." In a previous hearing, too, the court had expressed displeasure over the absence of council representatives. The petitioner has alleged that officials are deliberately obstructing the investigation and shielding those responsible for running fake institutions. After the CBI stepped in, the number of recognised nursing colleges in Madhya Pradesh reportedly dropped from over 600 to around 200, raising serious questions about how these institutions were ever allowed to operate in the first place. "This is not just about education; it's about the quality of health services in the country. We are heading towards destruction," Justice Sreedharan warned. Petitioner Mr Baghel told NDTV, "For the first time this matter was heard by the new bench, and when we presented a complete briefing of three years, the court was
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SilverLine or alternative? Kerala's wait for semi-high-speed rail to continue
Kochi: It seems the state's dream of having a semi-high-speed rail line is unlikely to become a reality soon, with neither Centre nor the state govt taking any concrete steps to take any of the two proposals forward. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The discussion chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan held with Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw earlier this week did not cover either the SilverLine proposal or the alternative semi-high-speed rail project proposed by Metroman E Sreedharan. As railways is yet to take a favourable stand on Sreedharan's proposal even after four months, the state govt's special representative in Delhi, K V Thomas, has requested Sreedharan to meet both Vaishnaw and railway officials. However, Sreedharan's stand is that he cannot approach Centre unless the state govt officially entrusts him to do so, demanding that the project proposal be taken up for further action. It seems the state govt is not planning to hold any further discussions with Sreedharan regarding the alternative proposal. The state govt submitted a draft of the semi-high-speed rail line proposal, prepared by Sreedharan, to the Union govt on Feb 10. The alternative proposal was submitted after the railway ministry informed that it could not approve the SilverLine project proposed by K-Rail. "It's been four months since the state govt submitted Sreedharan's proposal to Centre. But during the meeting, the proposal wasn't even mentioned or taken up for discussion. The only way to revive the project now is through pressure from Sreedharan himself. I've requested him to meet Vaishnav or railway officials directly to explain the project's benefits," said Thomas, who was present alongside Vijayan during the meeting with the railway minister. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But Sreedharan says he cannot take any further initiative regarding his proposal unless the state govt asks him to do so. He also expressed unhappiness over Vijayan's recent statement expressing hope over SilverLine. "The chief minister's recent statement that SilverLine will become a reality indicates that the govt is still focused on that project. State govt representatives have not held any discussions with me before or after their recent meeting with the railway minister. I cannot approach Centre directly regarding my proposal unless the state govt officially requests me to take the initiative. If they do, I am ready to hold discussions with Centre," Sreedharan told TOI. Minister V Abdurahman, who is in charge of railways, said the govt was not opposed to considering Sreedharan's proposal. He, however, did not give a clear answer when asked whether the state would request Sreedharan to hold further discussions with Centre. "Kerala is open to implementing either the SilverLine or Sreedharan's alternative project. SilverLine is not a closed chapter," he said.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sreedharan flags design flaws, safety concerns in NH project
Kochi: Metro Man E Sreedharan has highlighted serious defects in the design of the under-construction NH 66, saying that constructing a six-lane highway in 45 metre width itself was unscientific. His comments came amidst various defects found in the ongoing six-laning works of the highway, which triggered protests. Sreedharan told TOI that the excessive number of flyovers with large embankments and deep cuttings in the hilly terrain was a serious lapse. Agencies responsible for designing the highways bear the primary responsibility, as these structural choices significantly compromised the safety of the road, he said. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Thursday debarred the project concessionaire, KNR Constructions, and the project consultant, Highway Engineering Consultants, from participating in ongoing and future biddings for projects, following the collapse of the reinforced wall and service road in a section of the highway in Kuriyad, Malappuram. Additionally, cracks appeared in various NH stretches in Kannur and Thrissur districts, leading to a political blame game. "It's simply impractical to accommodate six lanes within a 45-metre-wide corridor. If only 45 metres of land were available in Kerala, the project should have been limited to a four-lane road. In attempting to fit six lanes into the available space, many essential facilities were compromised. The service roads have been significantly narrowed; where they should typically include two lanes and a footpath, in many sections they consist of just a single lane that includes the drainage slab, with no pedestrian walkway at all. This is not a scientifically sound approach to highway construction," he said. Sreedharan also said the decision to build numerous flyovers, even for minor road crossings, led contractors to construct massive embankments, which are unsuitable for Kerala's terrain. "Instead of building flyovers on the main highway, they should have constructed them on the smaller intersecting roads," he said. The Metro Man said contractors were also compelled to carry out deep cuttings in hilly areas to source red soil for these embankments, an approach that should have been avoided altogether. "These deep excavations are a result of poor planning and should have been eliminated during the design phase," he said, adding that while contractors are often blamed, the real responsibility lies with the DPR and design consultants whose flawed planning led to these problems. Sreedharan also criticised the ruling gradient of the highway. "A gradient of 1 in 30 to 40 would have been sufficient, while the present figure is much more than that," he said. The ruling gradient defines how steep or sloped a road can be. The Indian Road Congress recommends different ruling gradient values for different terrains, and for a plain terrain, it says the gradient should be 1 in 30. He said he wrote two letters to public works minister P A Mohammed Riyas, pointing out various issues in the highway construction in Malappuram, but there was no response. "Public works department has a special wing for handling the works of national highways in the state. If it is not supervising the NH works, then why is such a wing working?" he asked. Sreedharan said he was willing to submit his opinions regarding the highway works if the govt or any legal body sought them. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
