Latest news with #A.SivathanuPillai
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
'For Pakistan, it's free': BrahMos chief's witty response to Pakistani General goes viral
A clip from a podcast featuring Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai — the Founder, CEO, and MD of BrahMos Aerospace — has gone viral for his sharp-witted exchange with a Pakistani General who inquired about purchasing the BrahMos missile system. Dr. Pillai's cheeky reply, 'For Pakistan, it's a free delivery item,' has since sparked widespread laughter and applause online, especially in the wake of reports that BrahMos missiles were recently used in India's Operation Sindoor — a retaliatory strike on terror camps in Pakistan. The incident took place during a defense expo in the UAE, where a Pakistani military delegation, including a Major General and officers from the Air Force and Navy, approached Dr. Pillai's team, visibly interested in the capabilities of the BrahMos missile. Dr. Pillai recounted being invited to speak with them. He detailed the missile's capabilities — a supersonic cruise missile with Mach 3 speed and pinpoint accuracy — and even showed them test footage. The Pakistani General then asked whether India was willing to sell the BrahMos to Middle Eastern nations. When Dr. Pillai confirmed the possibility, the General followed up with a pointed question: 'Can Pakistan buy it too?' Dr. Pillai's response? 'Sir, for Pakistan, it's a free delivery item.' Live Events He described the moment the General's expression changed — stunned, displeased, and then quietly walking away. The remark quickly turned into a viral moment, with social media users hailing Dr. Pillai for his calm yet cutting response. Comments ranged from 'epic roasting' to dubbing him 'Roaster of the Year.' One user joked, 'We're giving it for free — just send us the delivery address.' The timing of the clip's resurgence coincides with fresh reports from ANI stating that around 15 BrahMos missiles were used by the Indian Air Force in targeted strikes on Pakistani airbases during Operation Sindoor on May 7. These precision attacks reportedly hit critical infrastructure at multiple Pakistani Air Force locations. The video was widely shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by Frontal Force with the caption: "Pak General: 'Will India sell BrahMos to Pakistan?' Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai: 'For Pakistan… IT'S FREE.' Kept its word during Op Sindoor."
Mint
20-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
National Awards for Manufacturing Competitiveness 2025 Celebrates India's Industrial Growth
June 14, 2025 | ITC Maratha, Mumbai India's most influential gathering of manufacturing minds convened on June 14, 2025, at the ITC Maratha, Mumbai, to celebrate industrial excellence at the annual National Awards for Manufacturing Competitiveness (NAMC) presentation ceremony. The evening marked a significant milestone in the country's journey toward global manufacturing leadership. The awards ceremony was held immediately after the 7th edition of the Manufacturing Thought Leaders' Summit (MTLS), an event that has come to symbolize the spirit of knowledge exchange and innovation among India's industrial visionaries. Padma Bhushan Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai, one of India's most distinguished scientists and technocrats, graced the event as the Chief Guest. In recognition of his monumental contributions to science and nation-building, Dr. Pillai was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Research Institute for Manufacturing (IRIM). The award was presented by Mr. Ravi Kant, former Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Tata Motors, in a moving and celebratory ceremony. The evening was further elevated by the presence of distinguished special guests from some of India's leading industrial houses: Mr. Satish Agrawal – President, Ajanta Pharma Ltd Mr. Saurabh Khedekar – President and CEO – Hindalco Alumina Business, Hindalco Industries Limited Mr. Lokendra Raj Singh – Chief Operating Officer, JSW Steel Mr. Lakshminarayana Neti – Chief Operating Officer, Biological E. Ltd Mr. Shirish Bhide – Operations and Supply Chain India Lead, Cummins India Limited Mr. Nirupam Sahay – CEO, Hindware Limited Mr. Rajendra Chunodkar – President – Manufacturing Operations, Lupin Limited Mr. Vikas Garg – Chief Manufacturing Officer, Superform Chemistries Ltd. (UPL Group Company) Mr. P R Bhaskar Reddy – Director, Hetero Labs Limited Mr. Amit Gupta – Director – Infrastructure, Energy and Materials Business, Dassault Systèmes Mr. Praveer Kumar – Executive Director, GAIL Mr. Vijay Kumar Bindlish – Senior Vice President, Jindal Stainless Limited The summit featured compelling keynote addresses and thought-provoking discussions by some of India's most respected minds across industries. Esteemed speakers included: Dr. Anil Khandelwal, former Chairman and Managing Director, Bank of Baroda Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, former Chairman, NASSCOM Mr. Rajesh Srivastava, renowned author and leadership expert Dr Sibichen Mathew, renowned author and bureaucrat Mr. Barath from Zoho, who shared insights on a simplified approach to developing customized business solutions, highlighting the importance of agility and adaptability in today's digital landscape Speakers from Dassault Systèmes, the Technology Partner for the summit, also captivated the audience with powerful case studies showcasing scientific software solutions and their application in real-world manufacturing environments. Their presentations demonstrated how advanced modelling and simulation tools can accelerate innovation and improve product and process efficiency. The summit's Knowledge Partner, Deloitte India, brought deep insights into the digital transformation of manufacturing. Mr. Jayakumar, Partner at Deloitte India, emphasized the necessity of digital adoption to enhance global competitiveness. Ms. Sudeeptha Veerapaneni, Chief Innovation Officer, spoke about the critical need for gigafactories and hyper-connected supply chains. Mr. Rahul Ghosh discussed the application of digital twins to optimize operations and unlock efficiencies on the shop floor. The NAMC Awards ceremony saw the convergence of over a hundred participating factories, celebrating the rigor, innovation, and operational excellence demonstrated across the manufacturing sector. Business leaders who accepted the awards on behalf of their respective units praised the transparent, technical, and robust assessment methodology adopted by IRIM in identifying the winners. This year, 118 factories were evaluated, and 91 units were recognized across various categories for their outstanding performance. The most coveted title, the NAMC 2025 Trophy, was claimed by the Vijayanagar Works of JSW Ltd. The First Runner-up award went to Tata Motors Electric Mobility Unit, Sanand, while JSL's Hisar Unit secured the Second Runner-up position. As India aims to become a global manufacturing powerhouse, the NAMC Awards and the MTLS platform serve as a beacon, celebrating excellence, encouraging innovation, and reinforcing the nation's commitment to building a resilient and future-ready industrial ecosystem. Note to the Reader: This article is part of Mint's promotional consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. Mint assumes no editorial responsibility for the content.
