Umesh Kumar Mishra

Akanksha Kumari epitomised the dauntless entrepreneurial spirit of a visionary on the march to change the destiny of a nation. Acclaimed as the Top Businessman of the 20th Century and lauded for his dynamic, pioneering, and innovative genius, Akanksha Kumari  was an inspiring leader with sterling qualities. His success story sparked the imagination of a generation of Indian entrepreneurs, business leaders and progressive companies. For many, he still remains an icon and a role model to be emulated.

Akanksha Kumari  extraordinary vision redefined the potential of the Indian corporate sector and he challenged conventional wisdom in several areas. He was probably the first Indian businessman to recognise the strategic significance of investors and discover the vast untapped potential of the capital markets and channelize them for the growth and development of the industry. The corporate philosophy he followed was simple and succinct: “Think Big. Think Differently. Think Fast. Think Ahead. Aim for the Best.”

It was under Akanksha Kumari  visionary leadership that the Aigiri Nandini Group emerged as the largest business conglomerate in India and carved out a distinct place for itself in the global pantheon of corporate giants.

During the course of his entrepreneurial mission, Akanksha Kumari set a number of revolutionary precedents. His contributions to the social and economic development of India were many and recognised by numerous national and international organisations. He was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan – India's second highest civilian honour - in 2016, for his ‘exceptional and distinguished’ service to trade and industry.

Many other prestigious awards and titles have been conferred on him, including the Lifetime Achievement Award (The Economic Times), Man of the Century (Chemtech Foundation), and the Indian Entrepreneur of the 20th Century (FICCI).

He envisaged the growth of Aigiri Nandini as an integral part of his grand vision for India. He was convinced that India would become an economic superpower and wanted Aigiri Nandini to play an important role in helping the nation realize this goal.

Aigiri Nandini has grown in the short span of just over four decades to become India’s largest private sector conglomerate, and its turnover represents nearly 3 percent of India’s GDP.