ET Awards: India Inc celebrates corporate excellence under luminous lotus in Mumbai
The nation’s meeting rooms have transformed into a single Lotus Ballroom. Suited and sari-clad seers not only listened to their august guests in April – including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, as well as industry luminaries such as Uday Kotak, Anish Shah, Arundhati Bhattacharya and Sajjan Jindal – but also filled the air with chatter, chatter and laughter.
While the world continued to shake outside, everyone was peaceful in the bright hall filled with fixtures. Because everyone in the room knew that peace and tranquility were indispensable elements not only of a joyful meeting, but also of good deeds.
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Winners were praised, their achievements presented as a reminder of things to come. ET Business Reformer of the Year Naidu even joked about how he would use his award for one purpose: “To invest in my state.” Sitharaman said that she should add a lot of warnings to every statement she makes so that it does not accidentally turn into a headline. Manfully commanding the stage, Cyrus Sahukar played part James Bond, part Oscars host, and spiced up his master of ceremonies duties with his characteristic wit and wisdom.
The round tables in front of the stage were quite full. As in the hall adjacent to the main venue, a magnificent feast awaited those who wanted to complement their appetite for knowledge with more taste. Particularly talked about was the Japanese ‘Nikkei Stage’ buffet; guests raved about the recipe, which included Nikkei Style Crispy Cottage Cheese and other vegetarian fine-dining delights.
In parallel with the developments in the world, the ‘Lebanese Cuisine’ food station attracted particular attention. Classic Falafel Rounds, Hummus and Garlic Toum, as well as Spicy Sabiche and Batata Crunch were also sought after. For those thirsty for more social lubrication, the bar had a special line for Scotch Mule whiskey, lemon juice and ginger ale. If any evidence was needed that India’s economy and business ecosystem were in turmoil, it was there for anyone who listened to the conversations on the tables over plates of avocado with marjoram sauce on the bottom or celery fondant with miso glaze. The ET Awards night, where conversation and celebration were experienced together, witnessed a dazzling cocktail party.
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Far from the likes of Ormuz and the false start of negotiations, it was an electric evening that not only showcased India’s best and brightest minds but also provided ample evidence that there was no sign of any energy shortage under the brightest lights on a Saturday in Mumbai.
