Dr (Hon) Amit Lath, an NRI businessman and philanthropist from Mandrela, Rajasthan, has been named among Poland's 30 most influential foreigners for his contributions to business and the economy.
The CEO and Managing Partner of the Poland-based Sharda Group, Lath has played a key role in strengthening India-Poland trade since moving to Łódź in 1998. He is also recognised for his humanitarian work during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, when he helped evacuate thousands of stranded Indian students under Operation Ganga.
He received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman from President Droupadi Murmu for his service and contributions to business. Lath also serves as Vice President of the Europe India Chamber of Commerce and is the first Indian to receive a special medal from the Mayor of Łódź. Under his leadership, the Sharda Group has been recognised among the leading contributors to India-Poland trade.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Amit Lath reflected on his journey to Poland and the challenges of building a life and business there. "I was born and raised in Mumbai, while my roots are in Mandrela, Rajasthan. My mother was born in Bihar and my father in Madhya Pradesh, so I truly consider myself a global Indian at heart. When I moved to Poland 28 years ago, there were barely 200 Indians in the country. Harsh winters, language barriers and finding vegetarian food made the transition difficult. But we overcame every challenge, and today Poland has become our home."
On growing India-Poland relationship, Amit said, "Poland is emerging as a new business powerhouse in Europe. It is a safe, stable and business-friendly country. The Polish people have immense respect for India and Indians. Today, more than 100,000 Indians call Poland home, and many Indian companies see it as their European business hub because it offers the right ecosystem and opportunities, making it an attractive destination within the EU."
