Raju was selected for the award for his "unprecedented contribution to the Indian IT Industry, not only in India but also on the global IT platform".
Among the past recipients of the 'lifetime achievement award", instituted in 2000 by HMA, had distinguished winners in the past, such as Dr Anji Reddy, chairman, Dr Reddy's Laboratories; Gen K V Krishna Rao, PVSM (Retd), former governor, J&K; and Justice K Jayachandra Reddy, chairman, Press Council of India.
