CIF Announces Narayana Murthy as 2014 CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award Recipient

PRESS RELEASE

Narayana Murthy, Chairman, Infosys, to Receive the

CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award

at CIF Award Gala on April 26, 2014 being held at the

Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto

TORONTO, CANADA – February 24, 2014:  Canada India Foundation (CIF) is pleased to announce the CIF Award Gala, which will take place on April 26, 2014 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto. The highlight of theevent will be the presentation of the CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award to N.R. Narayana Murthy, Founder and Executive Chairman of India’s IT powerhouse Infosys.

Murthy has been described by Time Magazine as the Father of Indian IT sector, and as one of the 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time by Fortune magazine. He founded Infosys in 1981 and served as its CEO from 1981 to 2002 and as chairman from 2002 to 2011, guiding the company to become a multinational corporation and leader of India’s software revolution. Murthy is the recipient of Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award by the Government of India, and has also been honoured by the governments of France and United Kingdom.

As the fifth recipient of the Award, Narayana Murthy joins a select company of the Award recipients including Deepak Chopra, renowned thinker, writer and speaker on human empowerment and a strong proponent of alternative medicine; Sam Pitroda, pioneer of India’s telecom revolution, Tulsi Tanti, trailblazer in the deployment of wind power and Ratan Tata, India’s most respected industrialist and philanthropist.

“By his words & deeds Mr. Narayana Murthy exemplifies the qualities of a Global Indian. He has been an inspiration to millions of Indians, both in India and abroad, to become entrepreneurs”, says V.I. “Lucky” Lakshmanan, Chair of CIF.

In addition to a specially commissioned trophy, the Award includes a sum of$50,000 which is given to a charity of the Award recipient’s choice.

“The Award will be presented at one of the most anticipated events of the year, the CIF Award Gala. The Gala has been graced in previous years by prominent leaders including The Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper and India’s former President Dr. Abdul Kalam.”  says Laj Prasher, President, CIF.

Around 600 high profile guests are expected to attend this year’s Gala.

The CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award

The CIF Chanchlani Global Indian Award was created by CIF to recognize an individual who demonstrates global leadership, vision and professional excellence.  The Award was made possible through the generous contribution of Vasu Chanchlani, who committed one million dollars as endowment towards the Award fund, and additional monetary commitments from several CIF Charter Members.   The award recipient will receive a custom designed trophy along with a cheque for $50,000, payable to a charitable institution of his/her choice.

About Canada India Foundation

Canada India Foundation is a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization established in 2007 to foster support for stronger relationsbetweenCanada and India; to educate Canadians on the changing face of India and to increase the participation of Indo-Canadians in the public policy process in Canada. CIF’s founding members include entrepreneurs, senior Canadian business executives and top tier professionals.    CIF plays a key role in Canada India relations through regular dialogues with representatives of both countries, organization of theme based policy forums and contributing, directly and through its members, to India-focused initiatives at several academic institutions.

For details, contact:

Kalyan Sundaram, Executive Director – Canada India Foundation Tel: 416-779-5237

Email: info@canadaindia.org

Web: www.canadaindia.org