The global meltdown will affect India to a lesser extent as compared to other countries and that India will emerge a stronger country in the next few years, believes veteran business icon R P Goenka, chairman of Emeritus, RPG Group.

On Tuesday, Goenka was felicitated with the Regional Excellence Awards 2008 initiated jointly by The Sunday Indian and The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) for his pioneering work in the business sector.

At the event organised by Planman Media, Goenka expressed his optimism about business expansion in the country.

“There was a time when I used to get Rs 350 per month as my wage as a junior staff at Duncan Brothers. The turning point of my career was when I became a director. My success story lies in me being an optimist. Family-run businesses have a future but it all depends on the talents of those who run it. I am proud of my sons,” said Goenka. According to Arindam Chaudhuri, chairman and editor-in-chief, Planman Media, there could not have been a better choice than Goenka as the awardee since he took the path of acquisitions to expand his business at a time when nobody could visualise it.

“We wanted to recognise his efforts in the field of business. There will be a lot of other awardees who have left a mark in the business industry with their pioneering efforts,” said Chaudhuri.