Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S Honored with Prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award

Rhea-AI Summary

Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S has been awarded the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest recognition given by the Indian government to overseas Indians. The award was presented by India's President at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Bhubaneswar.

Under Kumar's leadership, Cognizant launched the Synapse initiative in 2024, targeting to train one million people globally in emerging technologies by 2026, with emphasis on AI. The program has already reached over 275,000 individuals and is supported by more than $70 million in philanthropic funds.

Cognizant, with nearly 70% of its 340,000 global workforce based in India, maintains its position as the second-largest multinational employer in India's technology sector. The company operates across multiple Indian cities and focuses on advancing AI-first capabilities, driving innovation, and strengthening India's position as a global digital talent hub.

Positive

• Large workforce presence in India (70% of 340,000 employees)
• Second-largest multinational employer in Indian tech sector
• Synapse initiative reaching 275,000 individuals with $70M philanthropic support
• Strong geographical presence across 12 major Indian cities

Negative

• None.

BHUBANESWAR, India, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant, a leading global technology company, has been honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest accolade awarded by the Government of India for overseas Indians. The honor was conferred by Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of India at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The award acknowledges the outstanding contributions of the Indian diaspora for creating a better understanding of India abroad, supporting India's causes and working for the welfare of the Indian community.

"I am deeply honored to receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award," said Ravi Kumar S, CEO, Cognizant. "This recognition is a reflection of Cognizant's steadfast commitment to India's growth story. With nearly 70% of our 340,000-strong global workforce based in India, we are focused on advancing AI-first capabilities, driving innovation, and reinforcing India's position as a global leader in digital talent."

Ravi began his distinguished career as a nuclear scientist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center of India. His dedication to empowering both current and future talent for the jobs of tomorrow through comprehensive skilling has been a cornerstone of his career. He is also a strong advocate for social and economic mobility, championing programs that elevate education, upskilling, and the empowerment of women, especially through public-private partnerships.

Under Ravi's leadership, Cognizant launched the groundbreaking Synapse initiative in 2024, aiming to train one million people globally in emerging technologies by 2026, with a special emphasis on AI and a focus on India. The initiative has already reached over 275,000 individuals. Synapse builds on Cognizant's longstanding commitment to economic mobility, supported by over $70 million in philanthropic funds through 117 grants to 77 organizations globally.

For the past three decades, Cognizant has been integral to India's growth story and is the second-largest multinational employer in the Indian technology sector. Additionally, the company, through its Foundation in India and employee-volunteering program – Cognizant Outreach, has been dedicated to uplifting underserved communities and improving everyday lives.

Ravi was named CEO of Cognizant in January 2023 and joined the board of directors for the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in 2024. He is a member of the board of directors of TransUnion. He is also on the board of governors of New York Academy of Sciences and the board of directors for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. His full biography can be viewed here.

For the last 30 years, Cognizant has helped companies modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they stay ahead in an ever-changing world. By leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies like AI, cloud, and process automation, Cognizant delivers industry-specific solutions through the expertise of its global workforce, helping clients engineer intuition into their businesses. With headquarters in the US, Cognizant footprint extends from India to Europe, North America, South America and the Middle East. In India, the company has a strong presence in Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Kolkata, Mangaluru, Mumbai, and Pune.

About Cognizant 
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) engineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform experiences to stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we're improving everyday life. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.

For more information, contact:
U.S. Name Bill Abelson Email william.abelson@cognizant.com		Europe / APAC Name Christina Schneider Email christina.schneider@cognizant.com		India Name Rashmi Vasisht Email rashmi.vasisht@cognizant.com

 

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SOURCE Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation

FAQ

What is the Synapse initiative launched by Cognizant (CTSH) in 2024?

The Synapse initiative is Cognizant's program to train one million people globally in emerging technologies by 2026, with a focus on AI. It has already reached over 275,000 individuals and is supported by $70 million in philanthropic funds.

How many employees does Cognizant (CTSH) have in India as of 2024?

Cognizant has approximately 238,000 employees in India, representing 70% of its 340,000-strong global workforce.

What is Cognizant's (CTSH) market position in India's technology sector?

Cognizant is the second-largest multinational employer in the Indian technology sector, with operations across 12 major cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai.

How much has Cognizant (CTSH) invested in philanthropic initiatives globally?

Cognizant has invested over $70 million in philanthropic funds through 117 grants to 77 organizations globally.