Paras Shahdadpuri, chairman and founder of Nikai Group, received the top award at this year’s Indian CEO Awards.
Hosted at the novel venue of this year’s Dubai International Boat Show, the awards honour achievements of the vibrant and highly influential Indian business community in the region.
One of the leading members of the Indian diaspora in the UAE has been Paras Shahdadpuri, who arrived in Dubai in 1987.
Shahdadpuri started with trading in commodities in 1988, and soon established Nikai Group, which made its name as an electronics and home appliances firm, but has since become a global conglomerate that has operations in IT, FMCG and retail food chain.
The ability to adapt and diversify is a matter of attitude, he told Arabian Business in an interview. “I find business is about common sense. From electronics to selling cotton to selling food or services, I don’t see any major difference at all.”
The Indian CEO Awards also honoured business leaders across a wide variety of sectors, including healthcare, textiles, retail, energy and media.
The Indian CEO Award winners:
Female CEO of the yearAlisha Moopen, Aster DM Healthcare
Written Word Award winner of the yearGaurav Sinha, Insignia Worldwide
Healthcare CEO of the yearDr Shamsheer Vayalil, VPS Healthcare
Retail CEO of the yearDr. Dhananjay (Jay) Datar, chairman and MD, Al Adil Group
Media CEO of the yearSunil John, Asda’a – BCW Global
Textile CEO of the yearRaju Shroff, Regal Group
Professional Services CEO of the yearZubin Jal Karkaria, VFS Global
Legal CEO of the yearAshish Metha, Ashish Metha and Associates
F&B CEO of the yearBhupender Nath, Passion F&B
Outstanding contribution to businessParas Shahdadpuri, Nikai Group
Young achiever of the yearAkram Thumbay, Thumbay Group
Special award for science and medicineDr Sanjay Parashar, Cocoona Centre of Aesthetic Transformation
Energy CEO of the yearYogesh Metha, Petrochem Middle East