CEOs call for better policymaking from govt in Kochi

An engaging panel discussion organised by Business Today aboard The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda in the serene environs of Kerala's backwaters throws up a host of suggestions for better policy making for six different industries. The event was organised on January 16, 2014 in Kochi. 
Ready to board: (Left to right) Amit Saincher, General Manager, Trident Kochi; Vikram Madhok, Managing Director, Abercrombie & Kent India; Kapil Chopra, President, The Oberoi Group; Sanjay Rishi, President - South Asia, American Express; Josey Puliyenthuruthel, Managing Editor, Business Today; Silki Nanda, Director, Corporate Communications, The Oberoi Group; Chris White, President & Group CEO, RJ Corp; Avinash Vashistha, Chairman and Managing Director, India, Accenture; V Sunil, Executive creative director, Wieden & Kennedy; J.C. Sharma, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Sobha Developers.

Our destination, the boat: (Left to right) Chris White, President & Group CEO, RJ Corp; Sanjay Rishi, President - South Asia, American Express; Josey Puliyenthuruthel, Managing Editor, Business Today; Avinash Vashistha, Chairman and Managing Director, India, Accenture; Silki Nanda, Director, Corporate Communications, The Oberoi Group; J.C. Sharma, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Sobha Developers; Alokesh Bhattacharyya, Deputy Editor, Business Today.

Here I am: Chris White, President & Group CEO, RJ Corp, boarding The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala.

Feeling at home: Vikram Madhok, Managing Director, Abercrombie & Kent India, getting the traditional welcome from staff of The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala

Cheers! Sipping champagne on board The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala. (Left to right) Silki Nanda, Director, Corporate Communications, The Oberoi Group; Kapil Chopra, President, The Oberoi Group; J.C. Sharma, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Sobha Developers; Vikram Madhok, Managing Director, Abercrombie & Kent India; V Sunil, Executive creative director, Wieden & Kennedy; Sanjay Rishi, President - South Asia, American Express; Chris White, President & Group CEO, RJ Corp; Avinash Vashistha, Chairman and Managing Director, India, Accenture; Josey Puliyenthuruthel, Managing Editor, Business Today

I'm here: J.C. Sharma, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Sobha Developers, relaxes on board. Seen behind him is Chris White, President & Group CEO, RJ Corp.

What's up: Chris White, President & Group CEO, RJ Corp and Vikram Madhok, Managing Director, Abercrombie & Kent India, share thoughts

What's for lunch: Chef Divakar (left, with back to camera), explaining the tradition behind the special 16-course Sadhya vegetarian lunch to the visitors on board The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala

It's lunch time: The CEOs and representatives of Business Today and The Oberoi Group feast on the special 16-course Sadhya vegetarian lunch.

Time to relax: The visitors take a ride through Kerala's famed backwaters on a special boat.

My memories: Avinash Vashistha, Chairman and Managing Director, India, Accenture, clicking away to glory.

Chilled out: V Sunil, Executive creative director, Wieden & Kennedy, is all smiles during the backwater ride

My memories, too: Sanjay Rishi, President - South Asia, American Express, takes pictures on his phone during the backwater ride, as Vikram Madhok, Managing Director, Abercrombie & Kent India, watches

Ready for business: JC Sharma, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Sobha Developers and Avinash Vashistha, Chairman and Managing Director, India, Accenture, exchange notes as they wait for the panel discussion to start.

Making a point: Josey Puliyenthuruthel, Managing Editor, Business Today with Sanjay Rishi, President - South Asia, American Express.

The big boys: The formal shoot on the roof of The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala; (left to right) Vikram Madhok, Managing Director, Abercrombie & Kent India; Avinash Vashistha, Chairman and Managing Director, India, Accenture; Sanjay Rishi, President - South Asia, American Express; Kapil Chopra, President, The Oberoi Group; V Sunil, Executive creative director, Wieden & Kennedy; JC Sharma, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Sobha Developers; Chris White, President & Group CEO, RJ Corp; Josey Puliyenthuruthel, Managing Editor, Business Today.

Down to business: The panel discussion finally begins at around 4:30 pm, moderated by Josey Puliyenthuruthel, Managing Editor, Business Today.

Song and dance: The visitors watch a live Kathakali performance to round off the day.