- Monday, May 06, 2024
Banga, who took over as the World Bank chief earlier in June, was honoured by Carnegie Corporation of New York, a prestigious philanthropic organisation.
By: Shubham Ghosh
WORLD Bank president Ajay Banga has been recognised by Carnegie Corporation of New York, a prestigious philanthropic organisation, as one of its annual “Great Immigrants” honourees.
The list celebrates individuals who have contributed to and strengthened America and its democracy through their actions. As the first-ever Indian American to lead the World Bank, Banga’s inclusion in this year’s list highlights his remarkable achievements and impact.
He is the only honouree from India in this year’s list of ‘Great Immigrants’.
With a wealth of experience spanning over three decades, the Indian-born Banga is poised to implement transformative policies at the international lender, a statement issued by Carnegie on Wednesday (28) said.
It stated that his leadership will focus on combating poverty and addressing climate change while creating opportunities for people worldwide.
Reflecting on the importance of diversity, Banga, 63, emphasised on the value of surrounding oneself with individuals from different backgrounds, “You will have a sense of comfort hiring people around you who have that familiarity. But you will also have the same blind spots. You will miss the same trends. You will miss the same opportunities.”
Banga’s professional journey began in India, where he spent several years at Nestle India and PepsiCo. In 1996, he joined Citigroup, eventually assuming the role of CEO for the Asia-Pacific region. Later, he moved to the United States and served as president and CEO of Mastercard for 12 years, during which he established the Center for Inclusive Growth. This initiative focuses on promoting equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion worldwide.
Prior to his appointment as the chief of the World Bank, Banga held positions such as vice-chairman at General Atlantic, co-founder of the Cyber Readiness Institute, and vice-chair of the Economic Club of New York. His remarkable contributions have earned him various accolades, including the Foreign Policy Association Medal, the Padma Shri Award from the president of India, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Carnegie honours naturalised citizens on the US Independence Day (July 4), recognising their invaluable contributions to the nation. This year’s list includes 35 individuals from 33 countries, encompassing diverse backgrounds and achievements.
Dame Louise Richardson, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, highlighted the importance of immigrants’ contributions, stating, “The 35 naturalized citizens honored today… make our country more vibrant and our democracy more resilient.”
The honourees of this year include: Vietnamese-born Academy Award-winning actor Ke Huy Quan; Chilian-born actor Pedro Pascal; director-general of World Trade Organisation Nigerian-born Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; US Congressman Ted Lieu who was born in Taiwan; Grammy Award-Winning Singer and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Angélique Kidjo who was born in Benin; Polish-born professor emeritus of Chemistry; Cornell University and Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffmann and Guido Imbens, born in the Netherlands and professor of Economics, Stanford University, and Nobel laureate.
The Carnegie Corporation, founded by Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie in 1911 and led by Irish immigrant Dame Louise Richardson, exemplifies the significance of naturalised citizens in shaping America as a land of opportunity for all.
