The World Bank President, Ajay Banga, has been named to the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s annual “Great Immigrants” list. He is praised for his contributions to the enrichment of America and its democracy.
Banga, who will take over as World Bank President in June 2023, is the first Indian American to manage the organisation. He is the sole Indian on the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s list of ‘Great Immigrants’ this year.
With over 30 years of experience in key positions, 63-year-old Banga is expected to usher in transformative policies at the World Bank to combat poverty and address climate change, opening opportunities for people around the globe, a statement issued by Carnegie on Wednesday said.
During a fireside chat, Carnegie said Banga offered some reflections on how diversity helped him succeed as a leader: “At the end of the day, if you surround yourself with people who look like you, who walk like you and talk like you, and grew up in the same places you did and worked with you in your prior jobs, then you will have a sense of comfort of hiring people around you who have that familiarity. But you will also have the same blind spots. You will miss the same trends. You will miss the same opportunities.”
What is the Great Immigrant list?
Every Fourth of July, which is celebrated as America’s Independence Day, the Carnegie Corporation of New York honours a group of “remarkable” Americans — all naturalised citizens — “who have enriched and strengthened our nation and our democracy through their contributions and actions”.
This year, the corporation honours 35 individuals from 33 countries and a wide range of backgrounds. Among the honourees are individuals who have fostered opportunities for others through their work as educators, mentors, philanthropists, job creators, public servants, storytellers, and advocates.
“The Great Immigrants initiative is a tribute to the legacy of Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant who, like these honourees, found success in America, contributed enormously to his adopted country, and inspired others to do the same,” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York.