Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai receives Padma Bhushan, says 'India is a part of me'

Indian envoy to the US handed over the prestigious Padma Bhushan award to Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai in San Francisco on Friday.

As he received India’s third-highest civilian award, Indian-American Pichai said “India is a part of me and I carry it with me wherever I go".

Indian-American Pichai was awarded the Padma Bhushan for 2022 in the Trade and Industry category. The Madurai-born Pichai was named one of the 17 awardees earlier this year.

“I am deeply grateful to the Indian government and the people of India for this immense honour. It is incredibly meaningful to be honoured in this way by the country that shaped me," 50-year-old Pichai said while accepting the award from India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

"India is a part of me. I carry it with me wherever I go. (Unlike this beautiful award which I will keep somewhere safe)," he said.

"I was fortunate to grow up in a family that cherished learning and knowledge, with parents who sacrificed a lot to make sure I had opportunities to explore my interests," Pichai said.

With Inputs from PTI

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