A M Naik, Chairman & Managing Director, Larsen & Toubro Limited is a rare combination of visionary leadership, performance excellence, and principle-centered values. He has always placed India before self and company. In the process he has facilitated creation of an organization where nationalism and patriotism are embedded in the spirit of all employees.

Mr Naik firmly believes that people make quality. His emphasis on HR and IT as the twin engines of growth has propelled L&T to world-class stature in multiple sectors: engineering, infrastructure, nuclear, and defense. A benchmark.

L&T, the company Mr Naik leads, is a private-sector-partner to India in key national endeavors. It had manufactured rocket motor casings for India's first foray into space; and currently provides indigenous engineering expertise for critical defense projects. L&T has been uniquely described by public authorities as “India's only national sector company”.

Mr Naik is a senior and active member of the Confederation of Indian Industry. In this capacity he has contributed several innovative ideas to promote the capital goods industry in India and overseas. His mission: Made in India, a hallmark of excellence.

Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, is a prime-mover of excellence in the manufacturing and service sectors, in rural and urban India. He is the face of New India in America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe; for the global farm equipment and utility vehicle sectors.

For the past decade, Mr Mahindra has advocated that quality is no longer a differentiator, but a pre-requisite to enter markets – locally and globally. He has also advocated that inspecting quality in our products, services and processes is a defensive route to excellence. The correct approach, he believes, is to build quality into the design of our products, services, and processes. Achieving this excellence requires focus and determination. The Anand Mahindra way.

Mr Mahindra has been an evangelist for innovation. Customer-driven innovation. As President of the Confederation of Indian Industries and President of the Automotive Research Association of India, he appealed to Indian industry to think creatively and develop innovative solutions, to enhance the “Made in India” label. With success. Mr Mahindra – the eloquent and persuasive statesman.

Mr Mahindra has a rainbow of interests and commitments. He is the public representative in the National Stock Exchange of India; on the Board of Governance of the Mahindra United World College of India; the Founder Chairman of the Mumbai Festival; the Co-Chairman of the International Council of the Asia Society, New York; on the Asia-Pacific Advisory Board of Harvard Business School; and many more.

Dr E Sreedharan, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, is a distinguished bureaucrat, engineer, and citizen of India. A role model who has redefined discipline, punctuality and honesty in Indian work culture. An extraordinary man who has achieved extraordinary results through ordinary people.

Dr Sreedharan, the architect of the Konkan Railway and the Delhi Metro Rail, underlines that all his achievements are the result of team work. He believes that people cooperate when you work for a good cause. Dr Sreedharan, the catalyst, is focused and passionate about his work. He has an obsession for deadlines. Enabling effective project results.

Success and virtue run parallel in Dr Sreedharan's life. Like rail tracks. Into a distant horizon. Powered by his quiet dignity and proficient management skills. A global benchmark.

Dr Sreedharan was recognized as One of Asia's Heroes by TIME, Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by the Government of France, and Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India. He was also given the sobriquet of Metro Man by the media.

Dr Sreedharan has been a prime mover for growing the brand 'Made in India'. A brand now considered to be a trustworthy performer, for complex civil engineering projects.

Dr Sreedharan. A true statesman for 'quality as a way of life'. Based on principle–centred values.

We salute Dr E Sreedharan, Qimpro Platinum Standard 2007. An inspiration for 21st century India.

Ratan N. Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons is a distinguished industrialist, philanthropist, and citizen of India. A role model who has redefined corporate governance, social responsibility, and global ambition for Indian entrepreneurs.

Mr Tata has chaired the Tata Group since 1991. Apart from leading the Group to financial success, he has energized the auto, steel and software arms of the Group. His mandating the adoption of the Tata Business Excellence Model across the Group, and consistent monitoring of the same over the past decade, has transformed the Tata Group into a strategic and innovative giant. A hallmark practice.

Further, in keeping with the Tata tradition, Mr Tata has ensured that every company within the Group befriends society. Through active collaboration. Involving not only financial commitment, but also executive time commitment. A practice that nurtures excellence.

Beyond the Tata Group, Mr Tata has had a qualitative impact on several Indian and international governmental councils, as well as trade and industry boards. Mr Tata is a member of the Prime Minister's Council on Trade and Industry. He has also made a significant impact in the areas of education and healthcare, globally. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University, and the University of Southern California, as well as a member of the Program Board of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s India AIDS Initiative. A global citizen.

Mr Tata is a true statesman for quality as a way of life. He has been a prime catalyst for growing the brand "Made in India". A brand that is now considered to be a trustworthy performer in select industries.

We salute Mr Ratan N. Tata, Qimpro Platinum Standard 2006. An inspiration for 21st century India.

Keshub Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra and Mahindra Limited is a distinguished industrialist, philanthropist, and citizen. An iconic Indian, who has redefined corporate governance. Who has accomplished extraordinary heights owing to consistent practice of values based on sound ethical principles.

Mr Mahindra has chaired the Mahindra Group for over four decades. Apart from leading the Group to financial success, he has ensured that every company within the Group befriends society. Through active collaboration. Involving not only financial commitment, but also executive time commitment. A best practice.

Beyond the Mahindra Group, Mr Mahindra has had a qualitative impact on several corporates, as well as educational institutions. In particular, he was Chairman of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, for ten formative years of this business school. As Chairman, he underlined the importance of building character, competence, and trustworthiness in individuals at the institute. This has translated into world-class faculty and students, as perceived in India and overseas.

At a macro level Mr Mahindra has tirelessly served on several committees that address social causes to improve the quality of life, in India. These include: Population First, National Society for Clean Cities, and Bombay City Policy Research Foundation.

Mr Mahindra is a true statesman for national quality. He has been a catalyst for the success of select Indian industries involved in manufacturing and services.

We salute Mr Keshub Mahindra, Qimpro Platinum Standard 2005. A role model for business excellence and social responsibility.