The Outlook Business Spotlight Southern Achievers Awards 2026 celebrated exceptional leaders and organisations across South India who are driving measurable impact, strategic innovation and sustainable growth across industries. The event was held in Chennai and brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and changemakers from diverse sectors.
The awards ceremony recognised individuals and institutions that are contributing significantly to economic development, community progress and industry transformation. By bringing together achievers from business, social impact and innovation sectors, the platform highlighted how leadership, perseverance and collaboration continue to shape the future of South India’s growing economy.
The event is supported by several reputed organizations and industry partners who contribute to its success and credibility. The SME Chamber of India and the Manufacturers & Exporters Association of India are associated as Knowledge Partners, bringing valuable industry insights and expertise. Featherlite joins the initiative as the Furniture Solutions Partner, providing innovative workspace and furniture solutions.
ICT Academy supports the program as the Skill Developer Partner, emphasizing the importance of technology-driven learning and professional development. The Kesar Gift Mart is associated as the Trophy Partner. In the healthcare domain, Apollo Hospitals contributes as the Healthcare Partner, highlighting the significance of health and wellness.
The event’s outreach and communications are strengthened by Bangalore Info Media, which serves as the PR Partner. Additionally, ET Now joins as the Broadcast Partner, helping amplify the event’s visibility and coverage across a wider audience. Together, these partners play a crucial role in enhancing the impact and reach of the event.
The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including the chief guest M. A. Subramanian, Minister for Health and Family Welfare of Tamil Nadu. It also welcomed celebrity guest Athulya Ravi, whose presence added to the celebratory atmosphere of the evening.
Address by Chief Guest
Delivering a special address at the Southern Achievers Awards 2026, Thiru M.A. Subramanian, Minister for Health and Family Welfare of Tamil Nadu, congratulated all the award recipients and highlighted the state’s continued progress in strengthening its healthcare system.
He emphasised that Tamil Nadu’s public health sector has grown significantly due to strong collaboration between government institutions and private healthcare providers. According to the minister, this partnership has played a crucial role in improving both the quality and accessibility of medical services across the state, making Tamil Nadu one of India’s leading healthcare hubs.
One of the major initiatives highlighted during his address was the “Nalam Kaakum Stalin” programme, launched on August 2 by the Chief Minister. The initiative has already conducted over 1,256 health camps, screening more than 1.8 million people through comprehensive full-body health check-ups offered free of cost. The minister noted that such medical testing would otherwise cost individuals between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000, making the programme a significant relief for thousands of families.
He also spoke about Tamil Nadu’s pioneering HPV vaccination programme for 14-year-old girls studying in government and aided schools. The initiative, which benefits over 338,000 students with an investment of around ₹36 crore, aims to reduce the rising incidence of cervical cancer and is considered the first state-level free HPV vaccination drive in India.
Celebrity Guest - Athulya Ravi
During the event, actress Athulya Ravi shared her reflections while honouring achievers from various fields, highlighting the importance of hard work, patience and passion in achieving success.
She expressed that she felt extremely honoured to be part of the gathering and described the award recipients as celebrities in their own arena. According to her, the individuals being recognized had reached their achievements through immense dedication, smart work and perseverance.
She noted that witnessing the journeys of these achievers was deeply inspiring. For her, it was a reminder that success is built through years of effort and commitment, often beyond what people see publicly. Athulya said she felt proud and happy to be part of an event that celebrates individuals who have worked tirelessly in their respective fields and whose journeys serve as an inspiration to many.
Panel Discussion 1: Powering Growth Through Collaboration
One of the key highlights of the event was a panel discussion titled “Powering Growth Through Collaboration: When Industries Converge.”
The discussion explored how businesses, institutions and social organisations can build stronger ecosystems through partnerships, shared expertise and strategic alignment.
The panel featured prominent industry leaders:
Visalakshi Kannan, Director, VTM Ltd
Bobby Benedict, Founder, B&B Developers and Builders
Anand Rangachary, CEO, Thirumalai Charity Trust
Visalakshi Kannan spoke about the rapid growth taking place across industries in India and emphasized that growth rarely happens in isolation. According to her, growth often occurs at the intersections of industries where collaboration enables organizations to expand capabilities and compete globally.
Speaking from her experience in the textile sector, she explained that the real threat to the industry is not collaboration, but the absence of it. Global competitors such as China, Vietnam and Turkey have the advantage of scale, technology and speed. For Indian companies to compete effectively, collaboration across the value chain becomes essential.
She pointed to the strong textile clusters in Tamil Nadu, including Karur and Tiruppur, as classic examples of how collaboration between different players in an industry can create powerful ecosystems. In her view, companies cannot remain isolated within their own silos if they want to stay competitive. Instead, they must collaborate with other stakeholders, including suppliers, technology providers and sustainability experts.
Environmental stewardship, particularly ESG initiatives, was another area where she highlighted the need for collaboration. A textile company working alone cannot fully address environmental challenges; instead, it must work closely with technology partners and stakeholders across the supply chain.
She also emphasized the importance of radical transparency within supply chains. This requires collaboration from the cotton farmer at the beginning of the chain to the dyers, spinners and weavers who contribute at later stages of production. Summing up her perspective on collaboration, she shared a key insight that resonated strongly with the audience:
“If you want a slice of the pie, then you compete. But if you want to make the size of the pie itself bigger, then you collaborate.”
She also spoke about the concept of “co-opetition,” where companies collaborate even with competitors when it benefits innovation and scale. She cited the example of how Apple sourced semiconductor chips from Samsung for many years and continues to source OLED screens from the company despite being competitors in the smartphone market.
Bobby Benedict offered a practical perspective on collaboration from the infrastructure and real estate sector. According to him, being an entrepreneur often requires one to take on multiple roles and responsibilities. In today’s business environment, collaboration has become essential for progress. He emphasized that collaboration should not be limited to working with peers in the same industry. Instead, it should extend to communities and local stakeholders who are directly affected by development projects.
Sharing an example from his own work, Benedict gave the example of a development project where his team needed to build a drainage system. To successfully carry out the project, they had to collaborate closely with the local community, including villagers and panchayat leaders.
By engaging with them and taking them into confidence, the team was able to build the drain and improve the infrastructure in the area. The drainage system ultimately benefited the entire community and also helped make the road wider and more accessible. Through this example, he highlighted that meaningful development often depends on collaboration at multiple levels, from local communities to institutional partners.
Benedict also discussed plans for building a retirement home project. While his company specializes in hard infrastructure such as constructing buildings, he acknowledged that running such a facility requires additional expertise. A retirement home requires hospitality services as well as healthcare support. Recognizing this, his team has been reaching out to charitable organizations to explore partnerships that can manage the healthcare component of the project.
This approach demonstrates how collaboration can bring together different strengths to create a more holistic and effective solution. He also emphasized the importance of brand reputation in the real estate sector. Property buyers invest their hard-earned money and even future savings into purchasing homes. As a result, trust and brand credibility are extremely important.
As a first-generation entrepreneur from a tier-three town, Benedict acknowledged that large developers from major cities can enter smaller markets and create intense competition. In such situations, maintaining strong brand value and delivering on promises becomes critical for survival and success.
Anand Rangachary provided insights from the perspective of the social sector. As CEO of Thirumalai Charity Trust, he explained that in the world of philanthropy and community service, the concept of competition does not really exist. The goal is to serve communities and build trust.
For him, the more the partners join, the better the impact that can be created. He explained that their organisation works with different types of partners. Financial partners play a crucial role in enabling grassroots programs, especially those aimed at improving public health and community welfare. One of their key initiatives focuses on addressing preventable blindness in communities. Such programs require collaboration with healthcare professionals, institutions and volunteers. Rangachary also reflected on the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis reshaped many aspects of healthcare operations and required organisations to adapt quickly.
Healthcare institutions are often highly hierarchical because decisions directly affect patient lives. However, during the pandemic, teams had to work together more dynamically, with younger professionals stepping up when senior physicians had to remain protected due to health risks. This experience reinforced the importance of teamwork, adaptability and collaboration within healthcare systems.
The panel concluded with a shared consensus that collaboration will be the driving force behind future growth and innovation. While competition remains a natural part of business, leaders increasingly recognise that partnerships and shared expertise can unlock greater opportunities and create stronger ecosystems.
By breaking down silos and embracing collaboration, whether between industries, communities or social organisations, leaders can address complex challenges and create lasting impact.
Panel Discussion 2: The Future Is Now - Technology, Talent & Transformation
Another insightful session at the Southern Achievers Awards 2026 was the panel discussion 2, titled “The Future Is Now: Technology, Talent & Transformation.”
The discussion explored how businesses are navigating the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, adapting to technological disruption, and building organizations that are prepared for the future. The panelists shared perspectives on how companies can leverage AI while continuing to rely on human insight, creativity and leadership.
The panel featured prominent industry leaders:
Manoj Shenoy, Co-Founder & CEO, BugleRock Capital Private Limited
Sriram Joshi, MD & CEO, BizMarg Consulting Services Private Limited
Manoj Shenoy addressed one of the most common concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, the fear that it will replace human jobs. According to him, much of the current conversation around AI focuses on job losses, but the reality is far more nuanced.
He referred to an observation shared by several technology experts about the evolving workplace. Today, in many organizations, the structure could be described as eight people supported by two machines. In the coming years, that ratio may reverse, becoming two people supported by eight machines. This shift highlights the growing role of automation and AI in everyday business operations.
However, Shenoy emphasized that organizations must first acknowledge and accept that AI will fundamentally change how businesses operate. From a historical perspective, he noted that every century tends to follow a predictable pattern. The first 25 years often resemble the previous era, where businesses continue doing what has worked in the past. But after that period, transformation accelerates rapidly.
According to Shenoy, the world is currently approaching that turning point. When change begins, it can happen very quickly, and organizations that are unprepared risk being left behind.
He also highlighted an important distinction between tasks that can be automated and roles that require genuine value creation. Businesses often confuse the concept of intermediation, simply acting as a middle layer with meaningful contribution. If a role involves purely routine activities such as basic data processing or transactional services, AI and technology can replace those functions relatively quickly.
“If the work is purely mundane, it will disappear very quickly,” he noted. However, he explained that many industries still require human judgement and emotional intelligence. In his own field of financial advisory and wealth management, clients such as corporate treasuries, family offices and high-net-worth individuals often have access to vast amounts of information and data.
Yet data alone does not provide clarity during uncertain times. Shenoy recalled how events like the COVID-19 pandemic created a situation where even the most sophisticated data models could not predict outcomes. In those moments, clients turned to advisors for guidance, interpretation and reassurance.
This, he explained, is where human value remains irreplaceable. While technology may perform the majority of analytical work, the final layer of decision-making, the ability to interpret complex situations and provide emotional reassurance will continue to rely on people. According to Shenoy, AI will therefore function as a collaborative tool rather than a complete replacement for human expertise.
Sriram Joshi shared a similar perspective, emphasizing that businesses should view artificial intelligence as an opportunity rather than a threat. He believes founders and business leaders cannot afford to ignore AI. Instead, they must actively incorporate it into their organizations to remain competitive in a rapidly changing environment.
Joshi described a simple framework that his organization follows while implementing AI automation, augmentation and protection. Automation allows companies to streamline repetitive processes. Augmentation helps employees perform their tasks more efficiently by using AI-powered tools. Protection ensures that organizations adopt technology responsibly while safeguarding their operations and data.
Through his work with startups, MSMEs and early-stage founders, Joshi frequently encounters concerns about AI disrupting businesses. Many entrepreneurs worry that larger companies may adopt AI faster, leaving smaller players behind. Others fear that automation could replace their core teams.
However, Joshi pointed out that the most forward-thinking founders approach the issue very differently. Instead of asking whether AI will disrupt their businesses, they focus on how it can help them become ten times more productive and efficient. This shift in mindset, he suggested, will define the future of entrepreneurship.
Joshi emphasized that when organizations equip their teams with the right AI tools, employees become more capable rather than redundant. Companies that successfully integrate technology into their workflows can achieve higher levels of efficiency and innovation.
In his view, the real challenge is not artificial intelligence itself but the hesitation to adopt it. “The risk is not AI, the risk is hesitation.” Joshi remarked. Encouraging teams to learn and experiment with new technologies will ultimately determine how effectively organisations navigate the next phase of digital transformation.
The panel concluded with a clear takeaway: the future of business will depend on how effectively organizations combine technology, human talent and strategic transformation. While AI will continue to reshape industries, its greatest potential lies in empowering people and enabling businesses to operate smarter, faster and more efficiently.
Through platforms like the Outlook Business Spotlight, leaders and organizations continue to inspire others to pursue excellence while contributing to a broader vision of sustainable and inclusive growth.
