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Baiju Gopalan Earns the Prestigious Manappuram Unique Times MBA Award

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Baiju Gopalan, Managing Director of Sree Gokulam Group of Companies, was honoured with the 22nd edition of the Manappuram Unique Times Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award at a grand ceremony held at Le Méridien Kochi on August 9, 2026. The prestigious award was presented by Shri V. P. Nandakumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Manappuram Finance Ltd., and Dr. Ajit Ravi, Founder of Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd., the MBA Award, and the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF).

As the Managing Director of Sree Gokulam Group of Companies, Baiju Gopalan has played a key role in expanding the group’s presence across sectors such as finance, automobiles, hospitality, healthcare, education, real estate, media, and entertainment. Through his visionary leadership and focus on innovation, he has strengthened the conglomerate’s reputation as one of India’s leading business groups. Serving as the Global President of the Indian World Wide Chamber of Commerce, he actively promotes international trade and collaboration while championing initiatives in education, healthcare, women empowerment, environmental sustainability, disaster relief, and community development.

With this honour, Baiju Gopalan joins the elite ranks of the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF), an exclusive global business forum comprising business leaders with assets exceeding ₹1,000 crore and a strong commitment to social responsibility. Moreover, it is the only exclusive club for the affluent in the world that does not charge any membership fee.

Instituted to recognize visionary entrepreneurs with outstanding business achievements and social contributions, the MBA Award has previously been conferred upon Shri V. P. Nandakumar, Shri Joy Alukkas, Shri M. A. Yusuff Ali, Shri T. S. Kalyanaraman, Shri P. N. C. Menon, Shri Gokulam Gopalan, Dr. Ravi Pillai, Shri M. P. Ramachandran, Shri Kochouseph Chittilappilly, Shri Sabu M. Jacob, Dr. Viju Jacob, Dr. A. V. Anoop, Dr. Varghese Kurian, Adv. P. Krishnadas, Dr. Hafeez Rahman, Shri Soundararajan Bangarusamy, Shri V. R. Muthu, Shri V. C. Praveen, Dr. Arun N. Palaniswami, Shri C. K. Kumaravel, Shri T. K. Chandiran, Sir Sohan Roy SK, Dr. Vijay Sankeshwar, Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, and Dr. Yogesh Lakhani.

The MBA Award remains one of the country’s most prestigious honours, celebrating business leaders whose entrepreneurial vision and social commitment have created a lasting impact on society.

Pic Courtesy: Pegasus Photography/ images are subject to copyright

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Dr. Yogesh Lakhani Earns Coveted MBA Honour

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The 21st edition of the Manappuram Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award was conferred upon Dr. Yogesh Lakhani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bright Outdoor Media Limited, at a grand function held on June 23, 2026, at the Gokulam Park Hotel & Convention Centre, Kochi. The prestigious honour was handed over by Shri V. P. Nandakumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Manappuram Finance Ltd., Shri Gokulam Gopalan, Founder & Chairman, Sree Gokulam Group and Chairman, FICF, and Dr. Viju Jacob, Executive Chairman, Synthite Industries Limited and 11th MBA award recipient in the presence of Dr. Ajit Ravi, Founder of Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd, the MBA Award, and the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF).

Dr. Yogesh Lakhani is a visionary entrepreneur and industry leader whose inspiring journey from a humble single-room office in Mumbai to building one of India’s most respected outdoor advertising companies reflects extraordinary resilience, innovation, and determination. Under his leadership, Bright Outdoor Media Limited became the first outdoor advertising company in India to be listed on the BSE and earned recognition in the Guinness World Records for installing the largest number of solar panels on a single billboard in Mumbai. Today, the company stands as a leading 360-degree media and advertising powerhouse, renowned for executing high-impact campaigns for leading brands, blockbuster films, and globally celebrated events.

With this remarkable achievement, Dr. Yogesh Lakhani joins the elite ranks of the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF), one of the world’s most prestigious business forums. FICF membership is exclusive to business leaders possessing a minimum of ₹1,000 crore in assets and demonstrating a strong commitment to social responsibility. The MBA Award, instituted to recognize exceptional business leaders with significant social involvement, has previously been bestowed upon Shri V.P. Nandakumar, Shri Joy Alukkas, Shri M.A. Yusuff Ali, Shri T.S. Kalyanaraman, Shri P.N.C. Menon, Shri Gokulam Gopalan, Dr. Ravi Pillai, Shri M.P. Ramachandran, Shri Kochouseph Chittilappilly, Shri Sabu M. Jacob, Dr Viju Jacob, Dr. A.V. Anoop, Dr. Varghese Kurian, Adv. P. Krishnadas, Dr. Hafeez Rahman, Shri Soundararajan Bangarusamy, Shri V.R. Muthu, Shri V.C. Praveen, Dr. Arun N. Palaniswami, Shri C.K. Kumaravel, Shri T.K. Chandiran, Sir Sohan Roy SK, Dr. Vijay Sankeshwar, and Dr. Siddeek Ahmed. The MBA Award stands as a distinguished symbol of recognition, celebrating visionary entrepreneurs who drive transformative change in both business and society.

Pic Courtesy: Pegasus Photography/ images are subject to copyright