Manappuram VPN IBE Awards Marks Ten Years of Honouring Industry Leaders
At a time when very few go out of their way even for their loved ones, Dr. Ajit Ravi, as a gesture of gratitude to his mentor V. P. Nandakumar, Chairman & MD of Manappuram Finance Ltd., who has guided and supported him immensely, created an award in Nandakumar’s name—the VPN IBE Award—in 2015. The first edition was held in Sri Lanka, honouring famous business personalities there, and now in 2025 the award proudly marks a decade since its inception.
The prestigious Manappuram VPN IBE Awards 2025 rolled out the red carpet at the Gokulam Convention Centre, Kochi, on September 23, celebrating trailblazers who have made remarkable contributions across diverse fields including business, healthcare, cinema, and philanthropy. The award was jointly handed over by V. P. Nandakumar, Chairman & MD of Manappuram Finance Ltd.; and Dr. Ajit Ravi, Chairman of Pegasus. The event, hosted by Dr. Ajit Ravi recognized leaders who have redefined excellence and inspired positive change in society.
The evening spotlighted eminent personalities, beginning with Dr. K. Paul Thomas, Managing Director & CEO of ESAF Group of Social Enterprises, who was honoured with the Beacon of Inclusive Banking Excellence Award. This was followed by Exemplary Leader in Healthcare and Philanthropy Award presented to S.K. Abdulla, Managing Director of Lakeshore Hospital and Research Centre Ltd. Dr. Varghese Kurian, Group Chairman and Managing Director of VKL Group, received the Business Luminary in Real Estate, Hospitality, and Philanthropy Award, while veteran producer and media leader Dr. Gokulam Gopalan was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Indian Cinema.
The grand ceremony concluded with resounding applause for the honourees, who have set benchmarks in their respective domains. With inspiring speeches and a glamorous gathering, the VPN IBE Awards once again stood as a platform celebrating visionaries who continue to transform industries and communities with their vision, dedication, and innovation.
Pic Courtesy: pegasus photography/ images are subject to copyright
