Veteran Defence Analysts Honoured at SharonPly’s 6th ‘I AM STRONGEST’ Awards
Chennai: SharonPly’s 6th ‘I AM STRONGEST’ Awards recently honored retired senior army officials-turned defence analysts for their outstanding contributions to the nation. The event, themed ‘Voices that stood behind the nation’s recent glory,’ recognized the work of Lt. Gen. S. Harimohan Iyer, AVSM** (Retd.); Lt. Gen. Dushyant Singh, PVSM, AVSM (Retd.); Lt. Gen. P. R. Shankar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.); and Maj. Gen. Rajiv Narayanan, AVSM, VSM (Retd.).
These distinguished defence analysts provided valuable insights to defence personnel through their commentaries on Operation Sindoor, guiding policymakers and the public alike. According to Vishnu Khemani, Founder & Managing Director of SharonPly, “Strength doesn’t always wear an active uniform. Sometimes, it speaks through analysis, wisdom, and quiet conviction — guiding a nation not from the frontlines, but from the forum.” He added that these veterans “redefined service” by using their words to fortify minds, guide policy, and unite citizens.
The #iamstrongest Awards, launched in 2019, aim to recognize individuals who embody strength and resilience. Each year, the awards focus on a specific theme, celebrating stories of grit, courage, and selflessness. Past awardees include:
- 2019: Malathi, a wheelchair basketball player, and Logammal, a social change maker through Children’s Parliament
- 2020: Tamil Nadu’s frontline warriors who lost their lives to COVID-19, including Dr. A. Simon Hercules, Inspector Balamurali, and Nurse Joan Mary Priscilla
- 2021: Everyday heroes of the pandemic’s second wave, such as Muthupandi, a fruit vendor from Thoothukudi, and Arun Kumar, founder of No Food Waste, Chennai
- 2022: Champions of animal welfare, including Anjali Sharma, Sekar (Birdman of Chennai), and The Elephant Whisperers, Bomman and Bellie
- 2024: Tamil Nadu’s Olympic hockey legends, including Vasudevan Baskaran, Charles Cornelius, and Muneer Sait
SharonPly, established in 1987, is a leading plywood brand known for its focus on quality, product innovation, and eco-friendly practices. The company extends its ethos of resilience and excellence beyond business through initiatives like the #iamstrongest Awards, recognizing individuals who exemplify strength of character and inspire society.
