Poonam Dhillon
Former Miss India & Renowned Film Actress

"My father was a good friend of Nanik's. I recollect my association with Priyadarshni Academy and Nanik since its inception. He has a strange magnetic charisma. He is friendly and helpful. Over the years he has not changed his core values and simplicity."

Lord Navnit Dholakia
Chairman, Liberal Democratic Party of Great Britain

"He comes across as a friendly, amiable person, great in abilities and equally great in humility. His achievements in the industrial and social welfare fields are an inspiration for all."

Nitin Gadkari
President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtra

"I know Nanik Rupani as an affectionate, socially aware and active, close friend. His friend-circle spans the entire globe. He has always recognized merit and rewarded it. When I was selected for the Priyadarshni Academy Award, by the time the date of the function arrived, I was in the Opposition. Nanik insisted that the Award should still go to me, in the teeth of pressure from the ruling side which felt that it would send the wrong signals to those in power. Such is his impartial and bold nature."

Ram P. Gandhi
Managing Director, Beacons Pvt. Ltd.

"Nanik basically believes that nothing is impossible. And this is something he has proved through the activities of Priyadarshni Academy. He always acknowledges and meets everybody, and gives everything a personal touch. He does everything with conviction."

Pravin Ghatalia
Former Senior Partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd.

"Nanik is a great orator, having a lot of charisma. I have never ever seen him ruffled or angry. He is unbiased, least political, transparent and outspoken. He is admired the most by all political personalities and they feel safe and comfortable coming together on one platform for any event organized by him. His basic inspiration is to belong to all in need and to do and give the best to others."

Tarun Gogoi
Chief Minister, Assam

"Simplicity is the hallmark of Mr. Nanik Rupani, my bosom friend. And this quality of his impresses me the most. He is blessed with a rare intellect. Even when he was young, he was known for his high thinking and his method of working. Suave and down to earth, every time I converse with him I am impressed by his forward-looking attitude, his wisdom and his capacity to see things and matters in wider perspective. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, he has a disarming simplicity. And this quality stood him in good stead and made him what he is today."

Bob N. Harilela
Director, Harilela Group of Companies, Hong Kong

"I was introduced to Mr. Nanik Rupani about 20 years ago. I think his efforts to unite all overseas Indians and invest in India brought a lot of foreign exchange to the country. I strongly feel that he deserves to receive proper recognition from the government than any one else for all the outstanding work he has been doing for India."

Hari N. Harilela
Chairman, Harilela Group of Companies, Hong Kong

"I met Nanik about 20 years ago in Mumbai. My younger brother Bob introduced us. Since then I have met him on many occasions in India and Hong Kong. My first meeting with Nanik left me with an impression of a dynamic person full of energy. His kind-heartedness and friendly disposition endears him to people from all walks of life. I was particularly impressed with his love for India and his genuine concern for he betterment of society. This is evident from  the fact that he established the Priyadarshni Academy, which is doing an excellent job in helping needy and less fortunate people.

"Recently, as President of the IMC, he organized the India Calling Summit in Singapore to attract foreign investment in India, which turned out to be a great success. This emphasized his great leadership skills and organizing capabilities with large delegations from a range of countries attending the summit. My best wishes are with him for his continued good health, abundant happiness and success in his endeavours."

Dayal Hemrajani
Managing Director, Enkay Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd.

"We go to Mr. Rupani with all our problems and we are always in touch with him through his mobile. In accordance with our work culture, we have review meetings every two months. We tell him the happenings of the past two months and then he gives us guidelines on what needs to be done. Otherwise, all three companies run independently. But for policy matters, he gives ideas. His main thing is customer satisfaction. If any complaint goes to him, he ensures speedy remedy."

Srichand Hinduja
Chairman, Hinduja Group

"Nanik Rupani has been a family friend for decades. We know him as an energetic and a dynamic person of flair and enterprise who brings commitment with devotion to whatever he takes up. Over a score of years Nanik has created a successful business in sunrise sectors of the economy. He is the first Sindhi to lead the Indian Merchants' Chamber. He has also led Priyadarshni Academy which recognizes personal achievement. On behalf of the Hinduja Group, Gopi, Prakash, Ashok and I wish Nanik continued good health and the fulfilment of his aspirations over many happy years."

Niranjan Hiranandani
Managing Director, Hiranandani Developers Pvt. Ltd.

"Nanik is friendly, humble and down-to-earth. He is everybody's friend. His amazing quality is that he can interact with everyone, from an ordinary man to a top politician to take up any cause, not necessarily concerned with his own benefit, and fight for it. Through Priyadarshni he has done remarkable social service, and in the process has enhanced India's image globally."

Manohar Joshi
Former Speaker, Lok Sabha

"Mr. Nanik Rupani is a pleasing personality. He makes friends with everybody quickly — He is a friend indeed! His Priyadarshni Awards have given him eternal fame."

Vithal Kamat
Chairman & Managing Director, Kamat Hotels (India) Ltd.

"The Priyadarshni Global Awards will serve as an inspiration for Indians. The selections are not influenced either by politics or by personal bias. Nanik himself is never involved in the selections, which are done by a Committee. Nanik's contribution to society, and to humanity at large, is incomparable. A true man of vision."

Rajesh Kapadia
Past President, Indian Merchants' Chamber

"He is a power engine — the best part about him is his never-say-die attitude." 

Dinesh Khanna
Director, Eastern International Hotels Ltd.

"A true visionary and a man of commitment. His simplicity and transparency are unique."

Suresh A. Kotak
Chairman, Kotak Ltd.

"Nanik Rupani's first impression on me was very good — he was very easy to talk to, very friendly in approach. He was a person always trying to do something and build relationships. I observed him during the event India Calling in 1999, for which he took a leading part and went out of his way to do most of the work. I could see that even reputed national leaders respected him. The best quality in him is his good Samaritan nature — he will be helpful to and guide any person without exception. His basic nature is such.

"The other thing that attracts me is his way of solving problems. He is a student of human emotions. He will not only help you solve the problem but also put you at ease. Nanik is also a very good organizer — the greater the complexity of the program, the more he is at ease. When I look at him I remember the saying, a friend in need is a friend indeed. When I was the President of IMC, there were unique kinds of conferences organized by him. I was only the supporter. His contacts with the who's who in various fields is a striking feature. To maintain relationships is not so easy — you have to sacrifice time, money and energy and sometimes even yourself to satisfy the egos of others. This is very difficult.

"He is very hardworking. I could describe him with context to the Japanese people. They have got two great virtues — tenacity of purpose and a positive attitude. I think he has imbibed these qualities. He is a genuine person. His philosophy is 'people who do not dream cannot do anything.' After dreaming about things, you have to think on them and plan and organize the way to achieve them."

Gul Kripalani
Chairman & Managing Director, Pijikay Group of Companies

"A man of impressive ideas and has the capacity to turn them into reality." 

Kishor H. Kuvavala
Chairman, Priyadarshni Laughter Club International

"He has provided inspiration, guidance and help to thousands of people. He was the prime mover behind the Laughter Club movement. He brought before the public the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of laughter, a fact that has been propounded in the Ayurveda." 

Begum Bilkis Latif
President, SHED & Society for Clean Cities

"I first came to know Shri Nanik Rupani over 22 years ago when he came forward to help in the daily nourishment and feeding program of the undernourished poor children of the Dharavi slum who attend the numerous Balwadis of SHED (Society for Human & Environmental Development.) I have admired him for his dedication through the years, for he has continued with his caring philanthropy, and supports numerous worthy causes, far and wide, with genuine and sincere zeal."

Loren Legarda
Former Member, Senate of the Philippines; Recipient of the 2004 Priyadarshni Academy Global Award for Outstanding Contribution to Environment & Afforestation

"He is an amiable person with foresight and vision. I admire his philanthropic efforts and work. This Award will bring our two countries closer together."

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