The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has reached a significant milestone, celebrating the 25th anniversary of its prestigious National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance. This landmark event underscores the institute's long-standing commitment to promoting and recognizing the highest standards of governance in the Indian corporate sector.
A Quarter-Century of Recognizing Governance Pioneers
For twenty-five years, the ICSI National Awards have served as a beacon, highlighting organizations and individuals who exemplify transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership. The awards ceremony, a cornerstone event for the governance community, was held in New Delhi. It brought together distinguished guests from the corporate world, regulatory bodies, and the government to honor this legacy.
The Chief Guest for the commemorative event was Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, the Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, and Planning. In his address, the minister emphasized the critical role of robust corporate governance in sustaining India's economic growth and building investor confidence. He lauded the ICSI for its consistent efforts over the past 25 years in fostering a culture of good governance.
Shri Devendra Kumar Singh, the Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), also graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. His presence highlighted the government's support for initiatives that strengthen the corporate governance framework in the country.
Honoring Leaders and Setting Benchmarks
The awards ceremony was not just a celebration of the past but also a recognition of current excellence. The ICSI presented awards across multiple categories, acknowledging the contributions of various entities to the governance landscape.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla, the Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group. This prestigious honor recognized his decades of visionary leadership and his unwavering commitment to instituting world-class governance practices within one of India's largest conglomerates.
Other notable awardees included:
- Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), which received an award for Best Governed Company in the Manufacturing Sector (Large).
- Infosys Limited, recognized for Excellence in Corporate Governance in the Services Sector (Large).
- ICICI Bank Limited, honored for Best Practices in Corporate Governance in the Banking Sector.
The awards also extended to public sector undertakings, with Power Grid Corporation of India Limited winning in the CPSE category, and to emerging companies, with Eureka Forbes Limited being recognized among emerging entities. This broad spectrum of winners demonstrates that exemplary governance is achievable and celebrated across all segments of the economy.
The Evolving Role of Company Secretaries
The event served as a powerful reminder of the evolving and expanding role of Company Secretaries in the modern business environment. CS Manish Gupta, President of ICSI, addressed the gathering, outlining the institute's vision for the future. He stressed that Company Secretaries are no longer just compliance officers but are strategic advisors, crucial for navigating the complex regulatory landscape and embedding ethical governance into the core strategy of organizations.
The celebration of 25 years of these awards coincides with a period of rapid transformation in corporate India. With new regulations, increasing stakeholder activism, and a global focus on sustainability and social responsibility, the principles upheld by the ICSI awards are more relevant than ever. The institute reiterated its dedication to continuous learning and adaptation, ensuring that the governance standards it promotes remain at the forefront of global best practices.
The silver jubilee of the ICSI National Awards is more than an anniversary; it is a testament to a sustained national mission. It reflects a collective journey towards building more transparent, responsible, and resilient corporations that can drive India's ambition to become a global economic powerhouse. As the institute looks ahead, its focus remains on inspiring the next generation of business leaders to view good governance not as a regulatory burden, but as a key driver of long-term value creation and trust.
