Latest news with #SiddharthBalachandran
Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Siddharth Balachandran Receives Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Medal for Philanthropy
PNN Dubai [UAE], June 11: Siddharth Balachandran, a UAE-based Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist, has been awarded the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Medal for Philanthropy, one of the highest civilian honors in the United Arab Emirates for humanitarian work. The award, presented by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recognizes individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions to charitable causes and social impact initiatives in the region. Balachandran was honored for what officials described as his "outstanding effort and contribution to the enrichment of charitable and humanitarian work" across the UAE and India. The medal is considered a symbol of the Ruler of Dubai's commitment to a more compassionate and equitable society and is intended to encourage a culture of giving. "It's about giving back," said Balachandran in response to the honor. "If you are in a particular jurisdiction, you should contribute as much as possible there." Recognizing Impact Across Borders The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Medal for Philanthropy highlights sustained and tangible impact in humanitarian work. Past recipients include Yusuff Ali M.A., Chairman of Lulu Group. The award serves as public recognition of exemplary dedication to social causes and aims to inspire broader engagement in philanthropy across the region. Balachandran was recognized for his significant support of key humanitarian campaigns in Dubai, including contributions to the Mother's Endowment and Father's Endowment initiatives, which fund programs focused on education, healthcare, and community rebuilding. He has also worked closely with the Indian consulate in Dubai to assist migrant worker communities in times of distress, particularly during emergencies. Environmental and Social Work in India In India, Balachandran's philanthropic initiatives are carried out through the Buimerc India Foundation, where he serves as a trustee. The foundation is engaged in large-scale environmental conservation and community empowerment projects. Key programs under the Foundation include: * Mangrove Restoration in Kerala: A three-year, 50-kilometer project in collaboration with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, aiming to restore coastal ecosystems affected by climate change and human intervention. * Reforestation in Wayanad: The removal of invasive species across 300 acres of degraded forestland, with support from Forest First Samithi and tribal communities. The project promotes natural regeneration of elephant habitats and native biodiversity. * Elephant Habitat Support in Mathura: In partnership with Wildlife SOS, the Foundation supports afforestation efforts at an elephant rehabilitation center, transforming barren land into a thriving ecosystem using the Miyawaki method. * Youth Environmental Education at Point Calimere: A collaborative initiative with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) to promote ecological awareness among school students, focusing on bird migration, conservation, and biodiversity. These programs are aligned with global environmental priorities and reflect growing awareness about sustainability and the role of private sector actors in ecological restoration. Bridging Philanthropy and Policy Vision The medal also signals the UAE leadership's emphasis on cross-border philanthropy and the role of business leaders in furthering social equity and climate action. The Government of Dubai's recent philanthropic roadmap stresses multi-sector partnerships and measurable social outcomes -- criteria that Balachandran's work has consistently addressed. The recognition is especially notable for its regional scope. While Balachandran resides in Dubai and leads business operations from the UAE, much of the impact of his work spans across national boundaries, with direct benefits to communities in India. Government and Community Reaction Officials from both the UAE and Indian diplomatic missions have welcomed the award as a "positive signal of shared humanitarian values." The Indian consulate in Dubai issued a statement congratulating Balachandran and commending his long-standing contributions to community welfare. Local environmental groups in Kerala and Tamil Nadu also acknowledged the support from Buimerc India Foundation as "a vital intervention in otherwise underfunded conservation zones." An Emblem of Responsibility Speaking on the broader meaning of the award, Balachandran said: "I am honored to receive this prestigious gold medal from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It reinforces my belief in the transformative power of philanthropy -- for people, the planet, and future generations." The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Medal for Philanthropy continues to serve as a benchmark for recognizing leaders who integrate social purpose into their operational models. In honoring Balachandran, the UAE underscores the importance of sustained, cross-border impact, particularly in areas of environmental sustainability, social equity, and humanitarian aid.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How schools must help students 'unlearn' old teaching systems, become future-ready
UAE-based students are gaining access to world-class education, with premium Indian educational institutes setting up in the UAE. Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India to Dubai, highlighted the recent opening of Indian institutes like IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus and plans to start other Indian universities like Indian Institutes of Management and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Dubai. 'They are getting access to quality Indian technological education,' he said. 'This opens opportunities and avenues to not just the Indian diaspora but Emirati as well as global students who can take advantage of these educational institutes.' He was speaking at the Future of Learning: Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship event held on Tuesday, which focuses on strengthening the bilateral relationship between UAE and India. Hosted by global startup ecosystem Talrop, in partnership with Khaleej Times, the event brought together key policymakers, educators, startup leaders, and investors to discuss a future-ready ecosystem that bridges creativity, learning, talent, and entrepreneurship. A top entrepreneur pointed out that in modern times, teaching a student to fish isn't enough. Instead, they must learn to own the ocean. Siddharth Balachandran, Executive Chairman of Buimerc Corporation, explained how important it was to evolve traditional education models into future-proof systems that prepare students to not just survive, but to lead. 'You teach the man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime, is the old concept,' he said. 'The new concept, is that the fisherman goes on to understand the depth of the ocean and finds out where the fish are spawned. He also finds out that on the shore, you can actually build a factory; he markets to the entire world, trains the men on the shore and finally he creates a company, lists it on the stock exchange and becomes a trillionaire overnight.' He also said that every education system should have an incubation system. 'This system would help students to get a simulation, and a reasonable understanding of the real world,' he explained. 'Because I think that the gap is not in skills; it is in the understanding of what is to come. So the incubation centre actually propagates idea formulation and helps the student in setting up firms.' During the event, spokespersons for Talrop highlighted how their work has been empowering students across their home base in India where the company has been building ecosystems to scale. Evolving education systems Sivan also explained how India is constantly evolving its education system to meet the needs of the future. He explained that the country is investing 5 per cent of its GDP in education and its focus was to have a 'population that is skilled, adept and educated' to meet the challenges of the future. 'India's new education policy moves away from memorisation, which has been a challenge for education systems around the world, to testing the understanding of students,' he said. He explained how India's new education policy is focusing on three pillars – emphasising on play by learning at the pre-school level, supporting holistic learning by offering flexibility of subject choices to students, and focusing on skilling learners with vocational education. He also highlighted how the partnership between India and UAE has been growing in the recent past. Urgent conversation Ted Kemp, Chief Content Officer at Khaleej Times, termed the event as a conversation 'that could not be more urgent'. He highlighted how the world was developing at a break-neck speed. 'A child born today will enter the labor force around 2045,' he explained. 'Yet, many of the systems we have in place to prepare them for the world that will challenge them are rooted in methods and models designed over a century ago.' He said it was important to have global collaboration with local impact. 'The real bridge that we need to build is between imagination and implementation,' he said. 'We are no longer asking what we want our students to learn. We are asking how we can help them to adapt, unlearn, and imagine the world that they will inherit.'
Khaleej Times
10-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: New non-profit hospital announced for workers after Sheikh Hamdan's India visit
A not-for-profit hospital and a virtual UAE-India trade corridor are among the key initiatives announced following Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan's first official visit to India. The UAE-India Friendship Hospital (UIFH), which is dedicated to providing inclusive and accessible healthcare to blue-collar workers, will be established in Dubai. The hospital will be established collectively by Dubai Health and a group of five Indian entrepreneurs, who will act as the founding trustees of the hospital. An agreement was signed by these businessmen and Dr Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, at a special event organised by Dubai Chambers in Mumbai. The founding trustees of the UIFH include Faizal Kottikollon, Chairman of KEF Holdings, Nilesh Ved, Chairman of Apparel Group, Siddharth Balachandran, Executive Chairman of Buimerc Corporation, Tariq Chauhan, Vice Chairman of EFS Facilities and Ramesh S Ramakrishnan, Chairman of Transworld Group. The entrepreneurs are all members of the UAE India Business Council - UAE Chapter (UIBC UC). Siddharth Balachandran described Sheikh Hamdan's visit as 'monumental' for the ties between both countries. 'This is truly a monumental visit in terms of strategic impact for both the nations,' he told Khaleej Times. 'The announcement of extremely relevant collaborative projects in the fields of healthcare, education and holistic philanthropy is truly the icing on the cake. I am particularly enthused about the UIFH, which will specifically cater to the blue-collar worker community, and I am also happy that I am one of the founding trustees of this noble project.' On Tuesday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, arrived in India at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a two-day visit that saw the bonds between both countries strengthen. Sheikh Hamdan and India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, witnessed the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening collaboration across key sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, higher education, maritime services, logistics, and private sector engagement. The MoUs were inked during a special event organised by Dubai Chambers in Mumbai. DP World signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RITES, a leading infrastructure, consultancy, and engineering firm under India's Ministry of Railways. Signed by His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, and Rahul Mithal, Chairman and Managing Director of RITES, the agreement aims to harness the expertise of both organisations to develop resilient, tech-enabled supply chains and strengthen modern logistics and maritime capabilities, aligned with the long-term economic visions of both nations.
Gulf Today
08-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Sheikh Hamdan's visit to India reflects depth of exceptional relations: IBPC
Siddharth Balachandran, Chairman of the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC Dubai), said that the visit of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, to India is a true embodiment of the exceptional relations between the two nations. "It reflects the leadership's shared commitment to continuously enhancing bilateral relations in pursuit of a future vision rooted in integration and openness," he added. In statements to the Emirates News Agency, Balachandran noted that the historical and close ties between the UAE and India have seen remarkable progress, setting a global example of constructive cooperation. This advancement not only serves the interests of both nations but also generates broader positive impacts for the region and the world at large. He indicated that the shared values between the two friendly countries form a solid foundation for sustained engagement, values that have been significantly strengthened over the past two decades. "This mutual understanding is reflected in the deep respect between Emirati citizens and the Indian expatriate community. The result is a unique synergy, combining the hospitality of the host nation with the commitment and diligence of the Indian community, creating a dynamic and productive economic ecosystem,' he noted. Balachandran also highlighted that strengthening bilateral ties has laid the groundwork for deeper levels of future partnership. He pointed to landmark initiatives such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and government-led forums like I2U2 as examples of the joint ambition to elevate cooperation to new heights. WAM
Arabian Business
02-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Former Indian president Kovind to be chief guest at IBPC Dubai conclave
The Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC Dubai) announced former Indian President Ram Nath Kovind as the chief guest for its 22nd Anniversary Conclave in Dubai. The conclave, slated to be held on April 25, will focus on strengthening India-UAE bilateral relations, exploring opportunities for Indian businesses and professionals in the UAE, and aligning India's development goals with the UAE Vision 2030. The event will also serve as a platform for discussions on policy advocacy, advancements in the digital economy, and enhancing collaboration between the entrepreneurs of the two nations, IBPC said. Former India PM Ram Nath Kovind to visit Dubai The upcoming event will focus on several key areas aligned with the theme of 'Viksit Bharat', aimed at fostering India's growth and strengthening its global ties. Key topics will include the digital economy, which will explore strategies to enhance transparency and efficiency in digital trade, especially the digital clearance of transactions. Additionally, discussions will also focus on cross-border transactions in local currency, which can drive efficiency in trade between the two nations and create a more seamless business environment, it said. Several significant initiatives and partnerships are also expected to be announced at the anniversary conclave, IBPC Dubai said. These include the launch of the 'Viksit Bharat' series, which aims to promote sectoral investments in India, with planned delegations focusing on key states like: Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Kerala Assam Gujarat Goa The initiatives aim to attract global investors, particularly in the tourism and sustainable development sectors, fuelling growth and innovation across India's diverse regions. 'As we mark our 22nd anniversary, this conclave will be a testament to our continued commitment to fostering stronger ties between India and the UAE,' said Siddharth Balachandran, Chairman of IBPC Dubai.
