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Dr Siddeek Ahmed Receives Manappuram Unique Times MBA Award

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The 20th edition of the Manappuram Unique Times Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award was conferred upon Dr Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman and Managing Director of ERAM Holdings, on 6th January. The honour was presented by Shri Gokulam Gopalan, Chairman, Sree Gokulam Group of Companies and FICF, Dr A V Anoop, Managing Director of AVA Group of Companies, in the presence of Dr Ajit Ravi, Founder of Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd, the MBA Award, and the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF).

Dr Siddeek Ahmed, a visionary leader who has transformed innovation into impact. From humble beginnings to leading a global conglomerate across 16 countries, he has championed initiatives in technology, sustainability, skill development, healthcare, and education — guided by a core belief that true progress empowers communities and inspires future generations.

With this remarkable achievement, Dr Siddeek Ahmed joins the elite ranks of the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF) — one of the world’s most prestigious business clubs. FICF membership is exclusive to business leaders who possess a minimum of ₹1,000 crore in assets and demonstrate a strong commitment to social responsibility. The forum represents excellence in business accomplishments and encourages its members to channel their innovative ideas and leadership to promote societal progress. FICF aims to be a platform where entrepreneurial success meets impactful social contributions.

The MBA Award, instituted to recognize exceptional business leaders with significant social involvement, has previously been bestowed upon a number of iconic entrepreneurs, including 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 and Dr Vijay Sankeshwar.

The MBA Award stands as a distinguished symbol of recognition, celebrating visionary entrepreneurs who drive transformative change in both business and society.

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FICF Drives Social Impact With the Launch of ‘Cryptic 2.0’

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On 7 December 2025, Cryptic 2.0 – India’s Biggest Mentalism Show was launched under the leadership of Gokulam Gopalan, Chairman of the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF). The event was graced by Dr. Ajit Ravi, Founder of FICF, who highlighted the show’s purpose-driven mission. Mentalist Nipin Niravath, the lead performer, was also part of the launch proceedings.

According to organisers, all proceeds from the show will be directed towards charitable causes, demonstrating their commitment to meaningful social outreach. They expressed that Cryptic 2.0 represents both artistic excellence and collective responsibility.

FICF, the presenting body, stands distinguished as the only 1000-crore club, bringing together top-tier leaders and innovators dedicated to impactful development. Its continued support for socially beneficial initiatives is reflected in the launch of Cryptic 2.0.

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Federal International Chamber Forum Welcomes New Chairman and Patron Ahead of 2026 Ceremony

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The Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF) has announced key leadership, naming Shri Gokulam Gopalan as Chairman and Shri V P Nandakumar as Patron. The announcement signals a strategic step forward for the organization as it continues to consolidate its position as an elite global business collective.

FICF is a highly exclusive forum consisting solely of MBA Award laureates—distinguished leaders recognized for exceptional business success, ethical leadership, and significant contributions to society. Conceptualized by Dr. Ajit Ravi, the forum brings together industry pioneers who represent the highest standards of excellence and influence.

Dr Ajit Ravi, Founder, FICF & MBA Award

The MBA Award, which grants entry into FICF, is awarded annually to an accomplished leader whose assets exceed ₹1,000 crore and whose achievements reflect exceptional excellence, philanthropy, and commitment to nation-building.

To commemorate this new leadership announcement, FICF will host a prestigious felicitation ceremony on January 6th, 2026, at Le Meridien, Kochi. The occasion will bring together past award laureates, dignitaries, and industry leaders to honour the contributions of the newly inducted Chairman and Patron.

Under the leadership of Shri Gokulam Gopalan and the patronage of Shri V P Nandakumar, FICF aims to strengthen its international presence and continue fostering collaboration among the world’s most influential business leaders.

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India’s VRL Group Chairman Dr. Vijay Sankeshwar Honoured with 19th MBA Award

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At a grand ceremony held on July 17 in Kochi, Dr. Vijay Sankeshwar, Chairman and Managing Director of VRL Group, was conferred with the 19th Manappuram Unique Times Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award. The award was jointly presented by Shri Gokulam Gopalan, in the presence of Dr. Ajit Ravi, Founder of Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd and architect of both the MBA Award and the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF).

This year’s honor is particularly noteworthy, as Dr. Vijay Sankeshwar becomes the first recipient from Karnataka, recognized for revolutionizing the Indian transport sector and building VRL into a national logistics powerhouse. With this award, he also earns a place in the FICF—an exclusive club of business leaders with ₹1,000 crore+ net assets and a solid track record of giving back to society. Unlike any other, FICF is the world’s one and only business club that does not require any membership or registration fees.

The MBA Award has previously celebrated leading Indian entrepreneurs such as 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, and Sir Sohan Roy SK.

Recognizing not just wealth but transformative leadership, the MBA Award has become a hallmark of impactful entrepreneurship in India.

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Indian Tycoon Dr Vijay Sankeshwar to Be Honoured with MBA Award

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Indian logistics magnate Dr Vijay Sankeshwar, Chairman and Managing Director of VRL Group, has been named the recipient of the 19th MBA (Multibillionaire Business Achiever) Award, a prestigious honour celebrating extraordinary business impact and social commitment. The award, conceptualized by Dr. Ajit Ravi, is presented by Unique Times in partnership with Manappuram Finance Ltd. The grand recognition ceremony will take place on July 17th at the Sree Gokulam Park Convention Centre, Kochi.

A pioneering figure in India’s transport sector, Dr Vijay Sankeshwar becomes the first-ever recipient from Karnataka, marking a milestone in the award’s pan-India expansion. His leadership has transformed VRL Group into one of India’s most prominent logistics and fleet enterprises.

The award also grants him induction into the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF)—a global forum for high-impact business leaders, envisioned by Dr Ajit Ravi and reserved exclusively for MBA Awardees.

The MBA Award continues to highlight Indian entrepreneurship on a global platform, emphasizing values of responsibility, ethics, and nation-building.

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Sir Sohan Roy SK Honored with 18th Manappuram MBA Award

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The 18th edition of the prestigious Manappuram Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award was conferred upon Sir Sohan Roy SK, Founder Chairman & CEO of Aries Group, at a spectacular ceremony held at Le Meridien, Kochi. The award was presented by V.P. Nandakumar, MD & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd and the first-ever recipient of the MBA Award. Dr Ajit Ravi, the visionary founder of the MBA Award and the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF), and also the Chairman of Pegasus, was present at the event.

With this honor, Sir Sohan Roy SK becomes a member of the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF), one of the wealthiest business clubs in the world. FICF is an exclusive forum for business leaders with assets exceeding ₹1,000 crore and a demonstrated commitment to social responsibility. Notably, FICF is the first elite business club globally that does not charge any membership fee, making it a unique platform where success and service go hand in hand.

The Manappuram MBA Award, established to recognize business excellence combined with strong social values, has previously been awarded to distinguished entrepreneurs such as V.P. Nandakumar, Joy Alukkas, M.A. Yusuff Ali, T.S. Kalyanaraman, P.N.C. Menon, Gokulam Gopalan, Dr. Ravi Pillai, M.P. Ramachandran, Kochouseph Chittilappilly, Sabu M. Jacob, Dr. Viju Jacob, Dr. A.V. Anoop, Dr. Varghese Kurian, Adv. P. Krishnadas, and Dr. Hafeez Rahman.

Continuing its legacy, the MBA Award remains a beacon of excellence—honoring visionary business leaders who not only achieve remarkable success but also lead with purpose and contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society.

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Manappuram MBA Award 2024: Shri T.K. Chandiran Recognized for Business Excellence

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The 17th Manappuram Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award was conferred upon Shri T.K. Chandiran, Chairman and Managing Director of the Chennai Silks, Sree Kumaran Thangamaligai, and SCM Group of Companies, during a prestigious ceremony at the Gokulam Convention Centre in Kochi on 21st November 2024. The award was presented by Shri V.P. Nandakumar, Managing Director & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd, Dr. Hafeez Rahman, Chairman of Sunrise Hospitals and the esteemed 15th MBA Award recipient from Kerala, and Dr Ajit Ravi, Chairman of Pegasus.

The MBA Award recognizes exemplary leadership and exceptional business acumen, and the winner receives the opportunity to enter the world’s richest club, the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF). With this achievement, T.K. Chandiran will gain membership in the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF), the wealthiest and most prestigious club in the world. The FICF is an exclusive network of multibillionaire business achievers, where only one individual is admitted each year, providing a platform for leveraging entrepreneurial ideas for societal betterment. As the MBA Award gains momentum, it is now expanding to a Pan-India platform, reinforcing its position as a premier recognition of business excellence nationwide. The expansion began with Tamil Nadu, where individuals from the state were honored as winners in the previous edition, marking a significant milestone in its journey. Continuing this initiative, the 17th MBA Award is also being conferred upon Tamil Nadu’s business community.

Shri T.K. Chandiran leads the Chennai Silks, Sree Kumaran Thangamaligai, and SCM Group of Companies, a prominent conglomerate with a revenue exceeding USD 1 billion and a workforce of nearly 100,000 people. His entrepreneurial journey spans textiles, jewelry, and power generation. He founded KKV Agro Powers Ltd, generating over 100 megawatts of renewable energy. His leadership sets benchmarks in human resource and financial management. He is also an author and filmmaker, with contributions to agriculture and societal progress, including a Guinness World Record for KTM Jewellery Ltd.

Notable previous award recipients include Shri V P Nandakumar, Managing Director & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd, Shri Joy Alukkas of Joy Alukkas Group, Shri M A Yusuf Ali of EMKE Group, Shri T S Kalyana Raman of Kalyan Jewellers, Shri P N C Menon of Sobha Developers, Shri Gokulam Gopalan of Gokulam Group, Dr. Ravi Pillai, Founder & MD of R P Group of Companies, Shri M P Ramachandran, MD of Jyothy Laboratories, Shri Kochouseph Chitilappilly, Founder & CEO of V-Guard Industries Ltd, Shri Sabu M Jacob, MD of Kitex Garments Ltd, Shri Viju Jacob, MD of Synthite Industries Ltd, Dr. A V Anoop, MD of AVA Group of Companies, Dr. Varghese Kurian, Chairman of VKL Holdings and Al Namal Group, Adv Dr P Krishnadas, Chairman & Managing Trustee of Nehru Group of Institutions, Dr. Hafeez Rahman, Chairman of Sunrise Hospitals, Shri Soundararajan Bangarusamy, Chairman of Suguna Foods and Suguna Holdings, Shri V R Muthu, Chairman & Co-founder of Idhayam Group, Shri V C Praveen, Vice Chairman of Sree Gokulam Group of Companies, Dr. Arun N Palaniswami, Executive Director of KMCH Group of Hospitals, and Shri C K Kumaravel, Co-founder & CEO of Groom India Salons.

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16th Manappuram MBA Award Celebrates 15 Years, Highlights Tamil Nadu’s Leading Business Figures

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The 16th edition of the prestigious Manappuram Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award ceremony, conceptualized by Dr. Ajit Ravi Pegasus, was held on 13th August 2024 at Le Meridien, Coimbatore, honoring exceptional business leaders for their significant financial accomplishments and contributions to social welfare. The event, led by Pegasus Chairman and MBA Award FICF Founder, Dr. Ajit Ravi was graced by Padma Shri Dr. D R Karthikeyan, President of the Foundation for Peace, Harmony and Good Governance (Age Care India) and Former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation as the Chief Guest, with Dr. E Balagurusamy, Chairman of the EBG Foundation and Academic Adviser to the Governor of Jharkhand serving as the Guest of Honour and Dr Kuriachan K A, Former District Governor, Rotary International & International Corporate Trainer. The award winners are Shri Soundararajan Bangarusamy (Chairman, Suguna Foods and Suguna Holdings), Shri C K Kumaravel (Co-founder and CEO, Groom India Salons), Shri V C Praveen (Vice Chairman, Sree Gokulam Group of Companies), Dr. Arun N Palaniswami (Executive Director, KMCH group of hospitals), and Shri V R Muthu (Chairman & Co-founder, Idhayam Group).

Marking the MBA Award’s 15-year milestone the initiative has now expanded to other states to recognize 15 outstanding business leaders . As part of this expansion, five leaders from Tamil Nadu has been honored this time, with an additional ten recipients to be recognized in the coming months, as announced by Dr. Ajit Ravi, FICF founder and Chairman of Pegasus. He also mentioned that moving forward, only one recipient will be selected annually for the MBA Award. The MBA Award, which celebrates individuals with assets surpassing Rs 1000 crore, proudly inducted five new laureates from Tamil Nadu into its prestigious ranks. These distinguished winners are now members of the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF), an exclusive network of industry leaders with significant assets. The FICF provides a platform for collaboration, innovation, and advocacy, focusing on impactful causes beyond financial achievements.

This year’s awardees join an illustrious group of previous MBA Award recipients, including luminaries such as Shri V P Nandakumar of Manappuram Finance Ltd, Shri Joy Alukkas of Joy Alukkas Group, Shri M A Yusuf Ali who heads the EMKE Group, Shri T S Kalyana Raman of Kalyan Jewellers, Shri P N C Menon of Sobha Developers, Shri Gokulam Gopalan of Gokulam Group, Dr. Ravi Pillai, Founder & MD, R P Group of Companies, Shri M P Ramachandran, Managing Director and Chairman of Jyothy Laboratories, Shri Kochouseph Chitilappilly, Founder, Chairman & CEO of V-Guard Industries Ltd, Shri Sabu M Jacob, MD, Kitex Garments Ltd, Shri Viju Jacob, Managing Director of Synthite Industries Ltd, Dr. A V Anoop, Managing Director, AVA group of companies, Dr. Varghese Kurian, Chairman, VKL Holdings and the Al Namal Group of Companies, Adv Dr P Krishnadas, Chairman & Managing Trustee, Nehru Group of Institutions and Dr. Hafeez Rahman, Chairman, Sunrise Hospitals.

Each member of this esteemed group embodies entrepreneurial spirit and social responsibility, leaving a lasting impact on both the business world and society. As the MBA Award enters its 16th year, the ceremony continues to celebrate business excellence and societal contribution, inspiring future generations of business leaders to follow in the footsteps of these visionaries.

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Celebrating Excellence: The 16th Manappuram Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award Ceremony

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On August 13, at the Le Meridien Hotel in Coimbatore, the 16th Manappuram Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award will celebrate five distinguished business leaders from Tamil Nadu. This prestigious accolade grants recipients membership in the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF), an elite network for the world’s wealthiest individuals, each possessing assets of at least ₹1000 crore. The FICF is known for its members’ exceptional business achievements and commitment to social responsibility, encouraging them to use their entrepreneurial prowess for social progress.

Commemorating the MBA Award’s 15-year milestone in Kerala, the initiative now extends to other regions, recognizing 15 leading business figures from each area. This year, Tamil Nadu’s honorees include Shri Soundararajan Bangarusamy (Suguna Foods), Shri CK Kumaravel (Naturals), Shri VC Praveen (Sree Gokulam Group of Companies), Dr. Arun N Palaniswami (KMCH Group of Hospitals), and Shri VR Muthu (Idhayam Group). An additional ten recipients will be acknowledged in the coming months, with Dr. Ajit Ravi, FICF founder and Chairman of Pegasus, announcing a future shift to honoring one recipient annually.

Previous MBA Award winners include Shri VP Nandakumar, Shri Joy Alukkas, Shri MA Yusuff Ali, Shri TS Kalyanaraman, Shri PNC Menon, Shri Gokulam Gopalan, Dr. Ravi Pillai, Shri MP Ramachandran, Shri Kochouseph Chittilappilly, Shri Sabu M Jacob, Dr. Viju Jacob, Dr. AV Anoop, Dr. Varghese Kurian, Adv. Dr. P Krishnadas, and Dr. Hafeez Rahman.

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Manappuram Finance Ltd Champions Women’s Empowerment: Unique Times Conclave 2024

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Scheduled for May 13th at 11 am at Le Meridien in Kochi, the 2024 Unique Times Conclave, in collaboration with Manappuram Finance Limited, will celebrate the theme “Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Women’s Empowerment.” This event will focus on the influential role of entrepreneurship in fostering progress for women across various sectors. Manappuram Finance Ltd, as the event’s main sponsor, is committed to enhancing the visibility of women in the business world. Coordinated by Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd, the conclave is set to be a vibrant forum for meaningful conversations and empowering stories, with Dr. Fathima Nilufer Sheriff, founder and CEO of Therefore I’m, steering the discussions.

An esteemed panel will feature at the conclave, including Mrs. Sheila Kochouseph Chittilappilly of V Star Creations Pvt Ltd, Mrs. Nazneen Jehangir of NeST Digital, alongside notable personalities like Mrs. Parveen Hafeez, Adv Anna Linda Eden, Dr. Elizabeth Chacko, Dr. Lekshmi Nair, Dr. Radha P Thevannoor, and Ms. Devika Shreyams Kumar of Mathrubhumi Group. These influential leaders will discuss the empowering impact of entrepreneurship for women, drawing from their extensive experiences.

The conclave will also include the presentation of the Women’s Excellence Award 2024, recognizing remarkable achievements by women in diverse areas. V P Nandakumar, CEO and Managing Director of Manappuram Finance Ltd, will honor the awardees as the chief guest. Supported by the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF) and DQUE Soap, the event gains additional prestige. The FICF, known for its dedication to business excellence and social responsibility, sponsors this important initiative, celebrating both business success and philanthropic efforts. This partnership between Unique Times and Manappuram Finance Ltd underscores their collective dedication to advancing women’s entrepreneurship and societal enhancement.

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