Chennai, June 22 : Hindustan Group of Institutions , as part of its milestone 60–year journey of empowering learners, fostering innovation and contributing to nation-building, successfully hosted the prestigious Dr. K.C.G. Verghese Excellence Awards 2026 at Hotel Hilton, Chennai.
Instituted in memory of the late Dr. K.C.G. Verghese, Founder Chairman of Hindustan Group of Institutions, the awards celebrate exceptional leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and contributions to society across diverse fields. The initiative reflects Dr. Verghese‘s enduring vision of creating institutions that transform lives through the power of education and knowledge.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of Justice A.D. Jagadish Chandira, Judge, Madras High Court, Chennai, as the Chief Guest, and Mr. Hugues Boiteau, Scientific and Academic Attaché in Chennai, Institut Français India, as the Distinguished Guest. The occasion also marked the digital release and unveiling of the HGI 60th Year logo, celebrating six decades of excellence in education, research and nation-building.
The Awards recognise distinguished individuals whose achievements have created lasting impact across industry, academia and society while inspiring future generations of leaders and changemakers.
This year‘s edition honoured 13 distinguished achievers across six award categories – Lifetime Achievement, Academic & Research Excellence, Corporate Excellence, Alumni Excellence, Corporate Social Responsibility and Child Prodigy Awards. The awardees represented a diverse spectrum of leadership and excellence spanning industry, aviation, healthcare, research, entrepreneurship, sports, social impact and innovation.
The ceremony brought together eminent personalities from across sectors in a celebration of excellence, leadership and meaningful societal contribution.
Among the distinguished awardees was Mr. Biju Balendran, Deputy Managing Director, MG Motor India, who received the Dr. K.C.G. Verghese Excellence Award for Lifetime Achievement. Widely recognised for his contributions to India’s automotive industry, Mr. Balendran has played a pivotal role in advancing innovation, mobility solutions and industry growth through a distinguished leadership career spanning several decades.
The Lifetime Achievement category also recognised Mr. Satish Chandra Gupta, Senior Advisor, IndiGo and a veteran aviation professional associated with Indian Airlines; Dr. Bashi V. Velayudhan, Director, ICAAAD, SIMS Hospitals; and Dr. G.S.K. Velu, Chairman, FICCI and Managing Director, Neuberg Diagnostics, for their outstanding contributions to aviation, healthcare, entrepreneurship and industry leadership.
The Academic & Research Excellence Award was conferred upon Dr. Rajnish Kumar, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, in recognition of his contributions to research and higher education.
The Corporate Excellence Award honoured Lt. Col. V. Shanmuga Velan, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Elena Geo Systems Pvt. Ltd., for his contributions to technology and innovation.
Among the recipients of the Alumni Excellence Awards were Mr. Sisirakanta Dash, Group Chief Strategy Officer, Air India; Mr. P. Senthil Kumar, Global Executive Leader, Ashok Leyland; Mr. Nandakumar Shekar, international football player and HITS alumnus; and Ms. T. Dharshini, national basketball player and HITS alumna, reflecting the institution’s legacy of nurturing leaders across industries and disciplines.
The Corporate Social Responsibility Awards were presented to Mr. K. Ramesh, Founder, Mugavari Foundation, and Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Managing Director, Avtar, for their impactful contributions towards social development and inclusion.
The Child Prodigy Award was presented to Ms. Victoria Isaac (Victoriastic), recognising exceptional talent and achievement at a young age.
The Awards also coincided with a significant milestone in the journey of Hindustan Group of Institutions. Over the past six decades, HGI has evolved into one of India’s leading educational groups, contributing to higher education, research, innovation, industry engagement and skill development while empowering thousands of students to become professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders.
Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chairman, Hindustan Group of Institutions, said:
“As we commemorate 60 years of the Hindustan Group of Institutions, the Dr. K.C.G. Verghese Excellence Awards serve as a tribute to the values that have guided us throughout this journey—excellence, innovation, integrity and service to society. These awards honour individuals whose contributions have created meaningful impact and whose leadership continues to inspire progress across industries and communities.
“My father, Dr. K.C.G. Verghese, firmly believed that education is one of the most powerful instruments of transformation and nation-building. Over the last six decades, HGI has remained committed to this vision by nurturing talent, fostering innovation and creating opportunities for young minds to realise their potential. The Excellence Awards celebrate leaders who embody these ideals and demonstrate how knowledge, vision and perseverance can create lasting change.
“The future belongs to institutions that can successfully integrate academic excellence with industry relevance. As we look ahead, we remain committed to building future-ready talent, strengthening industry-academia collaboration and contributing to India’s growth story through education, innovation and research.”
The awards were hosted at a time when Hindustan Group of Institutions is further strengthening its focus on innovation, employability, industry engagement and future-ready education through a series of initiatives aimed at preparing students for the evolving needs of industry and society. The awards reflect the institution’s larger commitment to advancing education, fostering innovation and contributing to national development.