Industry icon and generous philanthropist, Mr A.M. Naik has been accorded high national recognition for his exemplary contribution to industry and society. He was awarded two of the highest national honours – the Padma Bhushan in 2009 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2019. His record of achievements makes him a role model for the executives and business leaders of India Inc. He has pledged to give away a dominant share of his income to social causes. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Larsen & Toubro Group, one of India’s largest and most respected conglomerates, and he continues to pursue his mission to make a positive difference to society and help the disadvantaged. Additionally, Mr. Naik maintains his role as the Chairman of L&T Employees Trust, LTIMindtree, Larsen & Toubro Technology Services, and he also serves as the Honorary Consul General of Denmark.
In 2018, the Government of India appointed Mr. Naik, Chairman of the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC). This was explicit recognition of Mr. Naik’s long association with skill-building and training in L&T where he was closely associated with the Company’s Apprentice Training Programme. Also, it was an acknowledgement of his extensive industry connect. As the then Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Hon’ble Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Under Naik’s leadership, the Corporation, apart from its engagement in executing skilling modules, should also be a think-tank providing direction and necessary guidance for creating a demand-based skilling ecosystem in the country.” Mr Naik’s commitment to skill-building finds expression in the Anil Naik Training Centre set up at Kharel in south Gujarat.
Mr. Naik has demonstrated that philanthropy is more than writing out a cheque Philanthropy as Mr. Naik practices it, is intensely outcome-oriented and is based on a professional approach to the act of giving. The results of every philanthropic initiative are critically appraised, and measured against the pre-set target. Feedback is taken onboard so that subsequent efforts can be more efficient, more cost-effective. In true industry-style, he has structured his philanthropic initiatives into three streams which he describes as ‘Verticals’ – Healthcare, Education and Skill-building. This rigorous approach has led to the successful transformation of targeted beneficiaries in each of the domains.
Mr. Naik’s early days were spent within an old philanthropic tradition. It was customary, almost instinctive, for your actions to be viewed through the prism of how it would impact the community. That philosophy has guided three generations of his family which lived in a sprawling village home in Endhal in south Gujarat. Mr. Naik who graduated as an engineer was the first in the family to enter industry, and proudly continues the tradition of community service.
Mr. Naik draws continuing inspiration from his father – freedom fighter, educationist and staunch Gandhian. He used to teach at a prestigious public school in Mumbai but on hearing Gandhiji’s rallying call to serve rural India, he decided to forsake urban comforts and returned to rural roots, viz., Endhal in south Gujarat. He became the founder principal of a school in the village, and in addition to teaching children drawn largely from the socially disadvantaged communities, he virtually devoted his life to serving the community. Mr. Naik has taken that tradition forward saying: “My father lit a lamp. I am happy to help more and more people see the light.”