Times of India honours the perseverance and innovation of these Inspirational Icons

The Times Inspirational Icons celebrates individuals who have made remarkable contributions across diverse fields, showcasing exceptional leadership, innovation, and resilience. This recognition highlights those who have not only excelled in their professional arenas but have also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on society. These icons are trailblazers in their respective industries, embodying qualities such as visionary thinking, strategic acumen, and a relentless drive to overcome challenges.

Here are the stories of Times of India’s ‘Inspirational Icons’.

Chandni Kapadia, Executive Director, GLS University

As a competitive child who always believed in herself, Chandni took the hardest assignments, sometimes even before she was ready, and muscled through them, enjoying the adrenaline these challenges offered her. “CK,” as she is called by her peers and colleagues, stepped into the world of business very young.

As a woman entrepreneur who has faced challenges in her business, she relates to them and their challenges and frequently collaborates with them and hires other ambitious, like-minded women, fostering a new generation of women in leadership roles.

Today, CK, the Executive Director of GLS University, is associated with many fields—law, education, fashion, luxury branding, and entrepreneurship—giving her a chance to connect with youth and be the voice and inspiration for many.

Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, ISAAC LUXE

Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, a celebrated name in dermatology and aesthetics, has been honoured as one of the Times of India's leading inspirational icons. She founded ISAAC Luxe in 2012 with the vision to revolutionise the beauty and wellness industry with a presence in PAN India, including DELHI NCR, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune.

Dr Geetika is always at the forefront when it comes to introducing new technologies to the Indian Market. Her commitment to excellence and innovation has garnered her widespread recognition and respect. Dr Geetika’s dedication extends beyond her practice, as she actively mentors young professionals and promotes women's empowerment within her organisation. Her inspiring journey and leadership have made a significant impact, setting a benchmark in the field of the beauty and wellness industry.

Pranjal Jha, MD, AeroVillage

Discover what heaven feels like at AeroVillage, India’s first fly-in luxury resort. Located at an elevation of 1200 feet, it has its own private airstrip and aircraft. Step into the world of effortless convenience and luxurious refinements, curated to lead you to countless memories. The resort offers some out-of-the-box experiences, such as breakfast in a river stream, aircraft joyrides with proposals, jungle safaris and treks, a golf course, and tastefully designed room categories. It is equidistant from both Mumbai and Pune, just 30 minutes by flight and three hours by road!

Amar Aquatic (A unit of Amar Polyfils Pvt Ltd)

In the competitive world of health and beauty markets, few leaders stand out as true torchbearers, and Dr. Uday Raj Mishra, the dynamic business leader at Amar Aquatic, is undoubtedly one of them. Amar Aquatic, a brand possessed by the Amar Group, has garnered exceptional recognition in the international market as a producer and exporter of Fish Collagen and Fish Gelatin. Driven by Dr. Mishra’s passionate leadership and vision, the brand has become synonymous with trust and excellence in the health sector.

Amar Aquatic’s monopoly in the targeted market is a testament to the high demand for its products as raw materials both domestically and internationally. The brand has a strong foothold in countries like South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Australia, and EU countries, showcasing Dr. Mishra’s capability as a leader who can drive international growth.

Kamalini Paul. Managing Director. Paulis Group.

Resilient and inspiring: Kamalini Paul's path to transforming hospitality in Bengal. At just 19, after the sudden loss of her father, Kamalini stepped up to manage her family’s business, becoming the sole breadwinner for her loved ones. This unexpected responsibility could have been overwhelming, but Kamalini chose to face it head-on, driven by a deep sense of duty and love for her family.

Today, she proudly runs Hotel De Sovrani, one of Kolkata’s premier business hotels. Her vision and hard work recently culminated in opening a state-of-the-art business centre and Kolkata’s first glasshouse rooftop café, both of which have redefined the local hospitality scene. At just 28, her relentless work ethic and compassionate leadership have made her a driving force for progress in Bengal.

Sushila Ram Varma, Advocate, CEO and chief consultant, The Indian Lawyer & Allied Services

The Indian Lawyer & Allied Services is a law firm that assists clients in finding complete solutions to their legal issues. The firm focuses on business and commercial laws, advising a variety of clients, both domestic and international, on varied aspects of the law. The firm’s USP is that clients’ needs are a priority, and excellent service must be given to them. The firm caters to advisory services, transactional work, litigation and arbitration matters. The multi-city presence helps the client to get a wider choice of legal services pan India.

Dr. Manimekalai Mohan, Founder & Managing Trustee, SSVM Institutions, Coimbatore

Discover SSVM, one of the top institutions in Coimbatore, renowned for its educational excellence since 1998. With 15 schools across Coimbatore and Mettupalayam, led by the visionary founder, Dr Manimekalai Mohan, SSVM offers diverse programmes, including State Board, CBSE, and International Curricula like Cambridge and IB, with exceptional day and residential school facilities, making it a leading international school in Coimbatore.

SSVM World School and School of Excellence in the heart of Coimbatore are day schools, while SSVM, Mettupalayam, also affiliated with CBSE, has hostel facilities. SSVM KIDS CASA & RUH EARLY YEARS focus on the early years whereas RUH Continuum Schools excel as international schools in Coimbatore, committed to inclusive education and holistic development for all students.

G.S. Ramesh, Chairman, Layam Group

Layam Group is a trusted management solutions partner specialising in a comprehensive range of services, including HR solutions, recruitment, staffing, contract manufacturing, training, & business consulting. With an annual turnover of over Rs. 300 crores, the group has consistently achieved impressive results and remained true to its tagline of being a catalyst for growth.

In the past 17 years, the group has trained and deployed 65,000 professionals and established partnerships with more than 200 clients across all solutions. At present, the Layam family has over 13,000 associates. It recently announced its plans to integrate digital AI across operations and embark on a strategic expansion into Australia by opening a new office in Melbourne.

Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.

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