Philip Kotler congratulates PM Modi for award, calls controversy 'regrettable'

Jan 16 (AZINS) Marketing guru Philip Kotler, in whose name an award for leadership had been recently conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has come out in praise of the PM after days of controversy over how high an honour the award really is. He justified picking PM Modi for the inaugural edition of the award, saying he had given new life to democracy and economic growth in his or her country.

The 87-year-old marketing guru said he had been unable to travel to India to present the award to PM Modi due to his health. He did however state that possible recipients of the award had been identified by a committee at his organisation, the World Marketing Summit (WMS), and that the final decision had been his own.

"I congratulate PM @narendramodi for being conferred the first ever Philip Kotler Presidential Award. He has been selected for his outstanding leadership & selfless service towards India, combined with his tireless energy… @narendramodi's efforts have resulted in extraordinary economic, social and technological advances in India. His winning the first award raises the bar for future recipients," said Kotler on Twitter.

He also pointed to a recent interview to The Marketing Journal, in which he had lined out the rationale for conferring the award on PM Modi.

"The concept underlying the award is to honor a major public leader who has given new life to democracy and economic growth in that nation… On these criteria, Prime Minister Modi stood the highest.  He has improved his country's image and visibility on the global stage," he said in the interview.

He said the idea of the Kotler Leadership Award leader is to recognise leaders who believe in representative government and in social justice, that a good society will build a healthy business climate, encourage businesses to practice the triple bottom line in balance profits, people, and the planet in their deliberations, sincerely and wholeheartedly works for the common good.

Kotler also expressed his view on the attacks by opposition parties on the award, calling it 'regrettable' since the award was as much to honour India as much as its leader.