Rolex salutes the Indian spirit of enterprise

Parent Category: News and Stories

Posted in: Entertainment on Tuesday, 27 January 2009 00:00

Rolex, the Swiss watchmaker, honoured two remarkable Indians, Romulus Whitaker and Moji Riba, for being selected as Associate Laureates in the Rolex Awards for Enterprise 2008.

Vikram Akula, Founder & CEO of SKS Microfinance, presented the awards, which included a cheque for US$50,000 and a steel-and-gold Rolex chronometer at a media conference and felicitation ceremony held in the capital. Yogesh Shah, CEO-MD, Rolex Watch Co. Pvt. Ltd. India and Barbara Geary, Programme Head, Rolex Awards for Enterprise, Geneva, Switzerland were also present on this occasion.

The Rolex Awards support pioneering work in five fields: science and medicine, technology and innovation, exploration and discovery, environment, and cultural heritage.  The two Indian Associate Laureates, Rom Whitaker and Moji Riba, are making an invaluable contribution to preserving India’s heritage in the field of environment and culture.

Romulus Whitaker, an Indian citizen of American origin, has evolved from a naturalist to conservationist. Moji Riba, the 36-year-old filmmaker has set up the Centre for Research and Documentation (CCRD) in 1997 in Itanagar to preserve the heritage of Arunachal Pradesh.

Barbara Geary, Programme Head, Rolex Awards for Enterprise, Geneva, Switzerland was delighted to be here in India to honour the Indian Laureates. She said, “It is indeed a proud moment for us to be associated with such enterprising individuals who have devoted their lives to the good of humanity.” 

“Rolex now wants to encourage the youth by funding young pioneers and their groundbreaking projects around the world. In early 2010, the company will name the first five recipients of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise: Young Laureates Programme, honouring men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 with inventive ideas to solve tomorrow’s challenges in science and health, applied technology, exploration, the environment and cultural preservation,” she added.