Celebrating Leadership, Innovation, and Transformational Impact
TheCconnects Magazine, a global C-suite community platform that connects influential leaders, innovators, and decision-makers across industries, proudly marked a significant milestone with the grand launch of its February 2026 edition. The prestigious launch event took place on 4 February 2026, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at the iconic Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
The edition was formally launched by Sri VC Sajjanar garu, Commissioner of the Hyderabad City Police, whose presence added immense stature to the occasion. Known for his integrity, decisive leadership, and public service excellence, VC Sajjanar garu’s association with the launch reflected the magazine’s commitment to leadership with purpose and social impact.
The evening brought together an esteemed gathering of IT leaders, government representatives, entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, and change-makers, making it a powerful convergence of ideas, influence, and inspiration. TheCconnects Magazine extends its heartfelt gratitude to all dignitaries and guests whose presence and encouragement made the launch a memorable success.
Cover Star of February 2026: Ms. Cherukuri (Peddu Rao) Lakshmi Rao
A Woman Who Redefined Leadership, Skilling, and Social Impact
A defining highlight of the February 2026 edition is the cover feature of Ms. Cherukuri Lakshmi Rao, widely known as Peddu Rao Lakshmi, Mrs. India Corporate Queen, and the Founder & CEO of Solvix Focus India Pvt. Ltd.
Her selection as the cover personality is a recognition of her exceptional leadership journey, transformative professional impact, and unwavering commitment to empowering people through skilling, innovation, and social responsibility. Lakshmi Rao’s story is not just one of business success-it is a story of courage, persistence, and purpose in a traditionally male-dominated landscape.
Why Lakshmi Rao Was Chosen for the Cover Page
Lakshmi Rao represents everything TheCconnects Magazine stands for-visionary leadership, ethical governance, innovation, resilience, and measurable impact.
She was chosen for the February 2026 cover because of:
- Her 27+ years of leadership experience across HR, IT, pharma, and business transformation
- Her pioneering work in skilling and employability, particularly in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors
- Her role as a champion of women entrepreneurship and workforce inclusion
- Her ability to blend business excellence with social innovation, including initiatives like Water ATM and MediBot
- Her growing relevance in board leadership, ESG, governance, and future-ready HR frameworks
Lakshmi Rao’s journey exemplifies how leaders can build profitable, scalable enterprises while remaining deeply rooted in societal well-being.
Breaking Barriers: A Journey Rooted in Determination
Born in Vijayawada and raised in Uttar Pradesh, Lakshmi Rao’s academic foundation includes a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Allahabad University (1994) and an MBA in HR from Symbiosis, Pune. Her early career began modestly, including a teaching role with a salary of just ₹1,500 per month-an experience that shaped her humility and resilience.
She later joined Maruti Suzuki, where her dedication and performance earned her the Best Employee Award, a defining milestone that strengthened her belief in discipline, quality, and people-centric leadership. She went on to serve as Director – Strategic HR at a CMMI Level-3 IT company, gaining deep exposure to organizational design, HR automation, and large-scale transformation.
Despite professional success, Lakshmi witnessed a recurring problem-educated youth, especially women, struggling with unemployment, often due to societal resistance to women working outside the home. This reality became her turning point.
Founding Solvix Focus India: From Vision to Impact
Motivated by the urgent need to bridge the skill gap, Lakshmi Rao founded Solvix Focus India in 2009 as a small proprietary firm. In 2012, it evolved into Solvix Focus India Pvt. Ltd., marking a bold step in her entrepreneurial journey.
The early years were challenging. Financial institutions questioned her ideas. Many dismissed the need for skilling, assuming degrees alone were sufficient. Yet, Lakshmi invested her own savings and persisted with patience and conviction.
Today, Solvix Focus India stands as a leading skilling and workforce solutions organization in Telangana, specializing in:
- Pharmaceutical and life sciences skilling
- IT and ITES workforce readiness
- HR solutions and talent transformation
The organization has successfully collaborated with industry leaders such as HCL, Mphasis, Wockhardt, and BKC Mumbai, training and placing thousands of candidates and contributing significantly to the pharma ecosystem in the state.
Leadership Philosophy: Smart Work, Quality, and Persistence
Lakshmi Rao’s leadership philosophy centers on working smart, embracing technology, and committing wholeheartedly to quality. She believes success does not come from shortcuts but from sustained effort, curiosity, and genuine interest in one’s work.
“There is no single mantra for success,” she often says. “Persistence, patience, and a commitment to excellence are what truly matter.”
Her approach to leadership has also made her a respected voice in discussions around Gen Z talent, where she highlights both loopholes and positives, advocating for engagement, purpose-driven roles, and adaptive leadership styles.
Innovation Beyond Business: MediBot and Water ATM
Lakshmi Rao’s impact extends well beyond corporate skilling.
MediBot – AI-Powered Health Companion
MediBot is an innovative AI-driven health solution designed to simplify medication management. With features like smart medication tracking, AI health chat, prescription analysis, and secure data protection, MediBot reflects Lakshmi’s belief in technology as an enabler of everyday well-being, especially for Gen Z and working professionals.
Water ATM – Affordable Clean Water for All
Inspired by personal loss-her father’s passing due to cancer in 2009-Lakshmi ventured into healthcare innovation by launching India’s Water ATM concept in 2015. The initiative allows people to access clean drinking water for less than ₹5 per litre through a seven-stage purification process.
The project addresses India’s growing water crisis and has received thousands of orders, with deployments planned across schools, hospitals, villages, and public spaces. It stands as a powerful example of social entrepreneurship with scalable impact.
Awards, Recognition, and Pageant Titles
Lakshmi Rao’s contributions have been widely recognized through prestigious honors, including:
- Best Corporate Woman of the Year
- Best Employee – Maruti Suzuki
- Best Personality Award
- Mrs. India 2016 – National Level
- Mrs. Asia International – Crown Winner
- Iconic Business Woman of the Year 2024
She also runs AAWAZ Trust (aawaztrust.com), an NGO focused on social development and community upliftment.
Boardroom Relevance and Global Leadership Perspective
A Director at the World Council of Directors, Lakshmi Rao has completed the Directors’ Program in Advanced Technology, strengthening her governance expertise. Her leadership spans ESG, compliance, risk management, succession planning, and executive oversight, making her exceptionally well-positioned for board roles demanding strategic vision and ethical leadership.
Through initiatives like Industry Magnates Premier and FaceTime with Leaders (a WDC initiative), she continues to influence leadership thinking across sectors.
Advice to Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
Lakshmi Rao’s message to aspiring women leaders is both practical and empowering:
- Step out of your comfort zone
- Gain knowledge and experience before starting
- Embrace technology and evolving work cultures
- Be patient-ups and downs are inevitable
- Cultivate an inner drive to do something unique
“In today’s digital age, women have more opportunities than ever. What matters is the courage to move forward despite hurdles,” she emphasizes.
Elite AI: Shaping the Future of Intelligent Leadership
Elite AI stands at the forefront of next-generation innovation, redefining how organizations lead, decide, and scale in an increasingly complex global environment. Unlike conventional automation tools, Elite AI is designed to support strategic intelligence, predictive analytics, ethical decision-making, and human-centric transformation. For today’s C-suite leaders, Elite AI has become a critical enabler-helping them interpret vast data sets, anticipate market shifts, strengthen governance frameworks, and drive sustainable business outcomes.
Across industries such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, skilling, HR, and public administration, Elite AI is enabling smarter systems that enhance productivity while preserving human judgment and accountability. From AI-powered health platforms and advanced talent analytics to ESG reporting and workforce optimization, Elite AI empowers leaders to make faster, more informed, and future-ready decisions. Its role is especially significant in addressing Gen Z workforce dynamics, where personalization, agility, and digital intelligence are essential.
By highlighting Elite AI in the February 2026 edition, TheCconnects Magazine reinforces its commitment to spotlighting technologies that align innovation with responsibility. Elite AI is not just transforming operations-it is shaping a new leadership paradigm where intelligence, ethics, and impact converge to define the future of global enterprises.
A Celebration of Purpose-Driven Leadership
The February 2026 edition of TheCconnects Magazine celebrates not just achievements, but leadership with conscience and courage. Featuring Peddu Rao Lakshmi on the cover is a tribute to women who build ecosystems, transform lives, and redefine success on their own terms.
As a global C-suite community platform, TheCconnects Magazine remains committed to spotlighting leaders who inspire change, influence industries, and leave a lasting legacy.
Congratulations once again to Ms. Lakshmi Rao, and sincere thanks to all IT leaders, government representatives, and partners who supported the successful launch of this landmark edition.
