Welcome Address @ Qimpro Awards, 22 Nov 2013 – Suresh Lulla, Principal Trustee, Qimpro Foundation

Respected Shri D R Mehta, Mr Harsh Mariwala, Dr Armeda Fernandez,
Dr F C Kohli, Shri Yogendra Bhushan, Mr R S Sodhi, Well Wishers of Qimpro, Members of the Media, and should I now say, Ladies & Gentlemen.

On behalf of the Trustees of Qimpro Foundation, I wish to welcome all of you to our annual Qimpro Celebration.

Qimpro Awards. Our 24th. Since 1990.

Apart from myself, the Trustees of Qimpro Foundation are:
1. Ms Tarjani Vakil: I can only say she is the Conscience of Qimpro Foundation
2. Dr Shakuntala Lulla: She does the litmus test for Ethics in Healthcare. Our winners make us proud
3. Dr Ram Tarneja: A statesman who keeps his promises. Trustworthy.
4. Dr K K Nohria: The catalyst who made Qimpro Foundation happen. He was also our first recipient of the Qimpro Medal in 1999.
5. Dr Ashok Agarwal: Young and energetic with credible understanding of public health. Based in Jaipur, he has made it the center of gravity for everything right in Healthcare & Education.
6. Dr Adi Dastur: Our latest addition. Committed to Qimpro Foundation for the past decade. Now a Trustee.

Our permanent special invitee is Mr Roger Pareira. How do I describe him? He was an acquaintance since 1972, and has been a friend since 1992. He is always there, when he believes in a cause. He is with us at Qimpro Foundation. His daughter, Roma, is now an integral member of our Healthcare effort.

A big thank you to the trustees of Qimpro Foundation.

The Qimpro Awards are presented in two categories: Qimpro Gold Standard to a Leader who has transformed a specific organization using Quality as a strategy. The emphasis is on MICRO actions in business, healthcare and education.

On the other hand, the Qimpro Platinum Standard is presented to a National Statesman for evangelizing excellence in business, healthcare, education. The focus is MACRO.

At times, the Panel of Judges have a challenge. They find the same benchmark leader to also national statesman-like qualities. Should they be Gold Platinum? Or Platinum Plus? We like these challenges.

Our Qimpro Award winners are trustworthy. They are humble. They walk their talk – particularly on values. They have a hard earned sense of how institutions and organizations work and transform.

Shri D R Mehta – has created an alternative patient-centric healthcare model. The Jaipur Foot / Limb is world renowned.

Mr Harsh Mariwala – A statesman who dared to dream. A case of David and Goliath.

Dr Armeda Fernandez – Best known for establishing the first Human Milk Bank in Asia, and her work with adolescents in the slums of Mumbai through SNEHA.

Dr F C Kohli – a serial visionary and pioneer. He started another innings 14 years back, post retirement dedicated to adult literacy. It is a privilege to know him. I am pleased to announce that he will be the first statesman to win the Qimpro Platinum Standard twice. In 1999 for Business. This year for Education.

Shri Yogendra Bhushan – has an egalitarian and altruist approach to life.
His Bodh Shiksha Samiti is supported by UNICEF and Aga Khan Foundation.

Mr R S Sodhi – Is a benchmark for transformation management. Post liberalization, he has grown AMUL to world-class stature.

Qimpro Awards is a Celebration of the Excellence achieved by these six benchmarks in Business, Healthcare, Education.

To select the winners we had three independent panels of judges. All three meetings were held on 15 October. Apart from the trustees, and Roger Pereira, the distinguished members were:

Healthcare:
1. Dr Mahesh Desai, QPS 2012
2. Shyama Kaviratne, QGS 2012
3. Dr Ravindra Karanjekar
4. Dr Kekoo Kavarana
5. Dr Sultan Pradhan QPS 2009
6. Viveka Roychowdhury
7. Roma Pareira Talwar

Education:
1. Prof Y K Bhushan QGS 2009
2. Prof Kalim Khan
3. Dr Rupa Shah
4. Dr K B Kushal
5. Norina Fernandes
6. Dr Ashok Wadia
7. Ketan Gala
8. Dr Vijayam Ravi

Business:
1. Jagdish Capoor
2. Dr Anil Khandelwal
3. Surjit Banga
4. Kuldip Kaura
5. Meera Sanyal.

A very special thank you to all the members. The Platinum Standard of the previous year normally chairs the panel of judges for the current year. A tradition. They tend to appreciate the award even more after such an exepeience.

The trustees of Qimpro Foundation acknowledge with deep gratitude the steadfast support from:
1. Transcorp International
2. Quantum Asset Management Company
3. First Flight Couriers
4. Vinsura Wines

In conclusion, I wish to share the common denominators amongst our 2013 Qimpro Award winners:
1. They are proud citizens of India
2. They have enormous faith in the human potential
3. They have principle-driven values
4. They are compassionate visionaries
5. They strive for perfection.

Sterling virtues!

Once again, thank you ladies & gentlemen for participating in the Qimpro Awards celebration.

YOU bring DIGNITY to the EVENT.