The TIOL Corporate India Awards honoured exceptional achievements at a prestigious event celebrating business leaders as role models for future generations on Saturday. The TIOL Exemplary Business Woman Award was given to Shobhana Bhartia, Chairperson and Editorial Director of HT Media Limited, and the TIOL Business Legend Award 2025 posthumously to Ratan Tata was given by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. This was the first time that TIOL’s annual award ceremony was held in Mumbai. That day, discussions were held on income tax, GST, and problems in the ease of doing business, which were discussed first thing in the day. The speakers said that although GST has been implemented for eight years, there are still over 62,000 cases of litigation. As there is no operational tribunal to resolve the disputes, companies have been left with no choice but to go to the courts, which only prolong the legal process. Ratan Tata’s award was collected by Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran. Gadkari, in his address, recalled that he had had the opportunity to work with Tata for a long time and expressed his appreciation for his achievements in business and for society, with emphasis on Tata Memorial Hospital as an example of his social responsibility. Shobhana Bhartia was also recognised as a pioneering force in Indian journalism. She took over as the CEO of Hindustan Times at the age of 29 and was celebrated for her impact in media, education and politics. Her influence in journalism and governance, said TIOL CEO Shailendra Kumar, has been significant. In upholding the fourth estate, Gadkari credited her with this, while Tamil Nadu IT Minister Dr. P. Thiagarajan talked about India’s rising economic power and the need to improve execution in business and governance. The award ceremony not only celebrated excellence but also demonstrated the changing landscape of India’s corporate and economic sectors.
Sir Ratan Tata and Shobhana Bhartia Recognized for Business Excellence
