Trust , Innovation with Changing Time & Technologies coupled with Vision critical for Business growth

PARTHA ROY, KOLKATA: Industry leaders gathered at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Eastern Region Annual Conference in Kolkata on 24th March 2026 , emphasising that “trust “, “culture”, and “agility” remain essential for building resilient businesses amid rapid technological and market changes. The conference, themed “Vision with Velocity: The New Leadership Imperative,” opened with a panel discussion on “Building Empires that Last,” focusing on creating enduring institutions beyond short-term market cycles and leadership changes.

Dr Sanjiv Goenka, Past President of CII and Chairman of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, stressed that efficiency forms the bedrock of competitiveness and scalability. He noted that strong processes drive quality and efficiency, while earning stakeholder confidence underpins every business endeavour. Ms Shobana Kamineni, Past President of CII and Promoter Director of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, highlighted the need for continuous adaptation. She observed that stagnation is not an option for large industries and that customer trust must be earned daily. She pointed to the expansion of quality healthcare into Tier-2 cities as a sign of India’s broader growth, urging leaders to embrace innovation and calculated risks.

Mr Sanjiv Puri, Immediate Past President of CII and Chairman & Managing Director of ITC Ltd, underscored the importance of “vision”, “value”, and “vitality”. He explained that timely access to resources, robust systems, and a strong culture—famously said to “eat strategy for breakfast”—combined with the Triple Bottom Line sustainability framework, create lasting organisational strength.

Mr R Mukundan, President Designate of CII and Managing Director & CEO of Tata Chemicals Ltd, stated that improving quality of life for stakeholders remains the core purpose. He added that leadership is built on earned trust and that strong capabilities are vital for scaling ventures, with continuous transformation being non-negotiable. Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, called for greater focus on research and development, noting that India’s future lies in its states and districts where industries have vast potential. He encouraged ordinary companies to pursue extraordinary outcomes. Another session on “Building at Speed: The Startup Playbook” explored how new-age enterprises balance rapid growth with sustainability.

Speakers including Mr Mehul Mohanka of Tega Industries, Mr Akshay Ghulati of Shiprocket, and Mr Sibabrata Das of Atomberg Technologies emphasised quick decision-making, adoption of new technologies, and a growth mindset over a constraint-driven approach. The conference concluded with discussions on media, entertainment, and sports, where Ms Huma Qureshi, Mr Tom Moody, and Mr Vikram Malhotra, Sports Journalists Boria Mazumdar shared insights on authenticity, cultural soft power, talent depth, and the transformative role of AI in content creation and distribution.