Aditya Puri is CNN-IBN Indian of the Year (Business)

HDFC Bank Managing Director Aditya Puri is the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2008 in the Business category. Given in six categories - Politics, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Public Service, and Global Indian - these awards "recognize, celebrate and honour Indians who have contributed to our country and in turn have strengthened our society and contributed to building Brand India in 2008," says the official CNN-IBN website.

"This year's awards are even more significant as they personify the undying spirit of a billion free Indian minds, in the wake of terror, natural disaster and economic challenges," the website adds.

Each category had six nominees. Mssrs Ratan Tata, Baba Kalyani, C.B.Bhave (SEBI), S.Ramadorai (TCS) and Uday Kotak (Kotak Group) were the other nominees in the Business category.

Mr. Puri won, as CNN IBN puts it, for "steering HDFC Bank well in a tough time, ensuring growth without taking risks and leveraging his customer-base well."

The winners in the other five categories are Nitish Kumar (Politics), Abhinav Bindra (Sports), Aamir Khan (Entertainment), G. Madhavan Nair & Team Chandrayaan (Public Service) and A.R. Rahman (Global Indian).

In December 2008, leading financial daily Business Standard declared Mr.Puri as Banker of the Year (2008) for successfully leading his bank in tough times.
Below are some of the prominent awards HDFC Bank won in 2008 under the stewardship of Mr. Puri.
Business India
'Best Bank 2008'
Forbes Asia
Fab 50 companies in Asia Pacific
Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Financial Services
Best Retail Bank 2008
Asiamoney
Best local Cash Management Bank Award voted by Corporates
Business Today-Monitor Group survey
One of India's "Most Innovative Companies"
Financial Express-Ernst & Young Award
Best Bank Award in the Private Sector category
Global HR Excellence Awards - Asia Pacific HRM Congress:
'Employer Brand of the Year 2007 -2008' Award - First Runner up,
Business Today
'Best Bank' Award