Piyush Tewari
2010 Young Laureate, Science & Health
India, Born 1980
A graduate of the University of Delhi, Piyush Tewari built a highly successful career as a director and general manager of a private equity firm. After his 17-year-old cousin died following a road accident, Tewari investigated the reason for his death -- the length of time it took to provide basic life support -- and, in his spare time, set up the SaveLife Foundation (SLF) to prevent unnecessary roadside fatalities. The foundation trains police officers and volunteers to provide rapid care including trauma management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, control of bleeding and spinal immobilization for road accident victims.
In June 2011, Piyush Tewari left his job in private equity to become full-time CEO of the SaveLife Foundation.
Published in 2010
In His Own Words
What qualities of your personality are most reflected in your project?
The SaveLife Foundation is driven by passion, excellence and a zeal for public service -- all qualities that I pursue.
What do you admire most in other people?
Passion and knowledge.
What is your favourite childhood memory?
Gardening with my late grandfather.
What is your idea of happiness? When and where are you most happy?
My idea of happiness is seeing people around me happy. I am most happy when I see my actions bringing a positive change in someone's life; be it my family, my friends, my co-workers or the people who SaveLife intends to serve.
What aspects of your personal life have motivated you the most?
I spent my adolescence in tough economic circumstances. Seeing my parents struggle to bring us up pained me, but also motivated me to work hard and do well in life. It is this motivation that kept me focused on my education and, then later, on my professional life.
What is your most treasured possession?
My family pictures from the past 10 generations.
What activities/hobbies do you like to do in your free time?
White-water rafting once a year, going to the cinema and spending time with friends and family.
What is the most important lesson that someone has taught you? Who taught you this lesson? How old were you?
Values need to be practised and not just preached. I learnt this in AIESEC [an international organization developing leadership among students] during college.
Other than being selected to be a 2010 Young Laureate, what accomplishment are you most proud of?
Being entrusted at the age of 28 to lead a company with multi-million dollar revenues and hundreds of employees.
Who are your favourite real life heroes/heroines?
The scores of police officers, firemen and paramedics from around the world who risk their lives to save victims of accidents. I admire their courage and their ability to control their emotions when faced with tragedy.
Who are your favourite fictional heroes/heroines?
Iron Man: courageous, fun-loving and brilliant.
If you could pick one person in history (living or dead) to be your role model, who would it be? Why?
Bill Gates. His focus on philanthropy inspires me tremendously.
Who is the most interesting or memorable person you have met while carrying out your project?
Dr Sanjeev Bhoi, the Officer In-charge of the Emergency Department at AIIMS Trauma Center in New Delhi, has been the most memorable and interesting person I have met while carrying out this project. His passion for emergency medicine and his expertise in this field are truly admirable.
