Peyush Bansal, the founder and CEO of Lenskart, and Namita Thapar, the Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, have been engaged in a public war of words over a pitcher. The dispute started after Peyush Bansal gifted a pitcher to Namita Thapar as a goodwill gesture, and she refused to accept it, citing the company policy against accepting gifts. The incident has sparked a debate about corporate gifting and the appropriate way to handle such situations.
The incident occurred at the recent Economic Times Global Business Summit, where Peyush Bansal was a speaker, and Namita Thapar was a member of the audience. After the event, Bansal approached Thapar to give her a pitcher as a token of appreciation. However, Thapar refused the gift, citing Emcure Pharmaceuticals’ policy against accepting gifts from vendors or clients.
The incident soon made its way to social media, where it was picked up by various news outlets. The reactions to the incident have been mixed, with some people criticizing Bansal for his choice of gift and others supporting his gesture.
Bansal defended his actions, saying that the pitcher was a traditional Indian gift and that he had no intention of violating any company policy. He also pointed out that he had not asked for any business or favors in return for the gift.
Namita Thapar, on the other hand, maintained that she was simply following company policy and that there was no personal animosity towards Peyush Bansal. She also stated that the incident had been blown out of proportion and that it was being used as a distraction from more pressing issues.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about corporate gifting and its impact on business relationships. Many companies have policies against accepting gifts from vendors or clients to avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of impropriety. However, some people argue that refusing gifts can harm business relationships and that it is possible to accept gifts in a manner that does not compromise one’s integrity.
Anupam Mittal, the founder and CEO of People Group, has weighed in on the controversy, stating that he would not let such incidents happen in his company. He emphasized the importance of maintaining strong business relationships while also upholding ethical standards.
The controversy has also highlighted the need for clear and transparent corporate policies around gifting. Many companies have policies in place, but they are often vague or inconsistently applied. A clear and consistent policy can help employees navigate these situations with confidence and avoid misunderstandings.
In conclusion, the war of words between Peyush Bansal and Namita Thapar over a pitcher has sparked a broader conversation about corporate gifting and its impact on business relationships. The incident has highlighted the need for clear and transparent policies around gifting, as well as the importance of maintaining strong business relationships while upholding ethical standards. As the world becomes more connected and businesses become more global, it is important for companies to have clear guidelines around gifting to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain their integrity.
