It is the land of filter kaapi and unfiltered emotions. It is a historical city and it is a living, breathing metropolis. It is Chennai! From the Madras checks that made a fashion statement to the tractors and machinery that made an economic assertion, Chennai is the land of success stories. Within this beautiful, and often underappreciated, city live a million lives, each with a tale to tell. We are delighted to present to you a collection of these narratives within the pages of this book. Some of India’s iconic companies like Sanmar, India Cements, TVS, TAFE and others, are right here in this city and their inspiring stories feature in the BEST OF CHENNAI Vol 2. However, they are not the only ones. We also present some of the startups that are charting fresh courses and challenging big names with their bright ideas. It has been seven years since we published BEST OF CHENNAI Vol 1 - seven years during which the city has faced numerous hardships and challenges. We cheered with pride as this city held its head high in the rising floodwaters. We continue to be amazed by the buoyant energy and constant drive for excellence that not only the people of Chennai but the companies of Chennai also exhibit. One of the most endearing facts about Chennai is that, while it is a manufacturing hub and has numerous IT parks and SEZs dotted across it, no story about Chennai can ever be complete without its rasikas and bibliophiles. Dance, art and theatre form the fabric of life in Chennai. We present the views of luminaries in various fields, such as Anita Ratnam, Achuthan Kudallur, S Nandagopal, K Muralidharan, Aruna Sairam, Anil Srinivasan, Karthick Iyer, Na Muthuswamy, Prasanna Ramaswamy, PC Ramakrishna, MD Muthukumaraswamy, Ashokamitran, Gautam Padmanabhan, Baradwaj Rangan and Amudhan RP. Some of Chennai’s best companies and individuals are featured in this unique business atlas that examines the aspects of leadership, innovation and inspiration. Through insightful articles, expert perspectives and beautiful visuals, this elegant book captures the economic and cultural dynamism of the city. From knowledge-driven systems to agile business models, there is so much to learn from the exceptional men and women who are truly the very best of Chennai. If you are from Chennai, you are bound to recognise the companies we have profiled and the people who built them; and if you are from elsewhere, you are bound to appreciate the remarkable achievements of Chennai and its residents. We are proud to present the BEST OF CHENNAI Vol 2 and we hope you enjoy reading this book. You can also read and share the ebook at www.globalvillage.world/proudly-asia/.
Sandhya Mendonca Founder, Managing Director & Editor-in-Chief Raintree Media
Sven Boermeester Founder/CEO International Group Publisher Global Village Partnerships
Best of Chennai Vol 2
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