Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw met with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on on Tuesday — extending Diwali greetings and assuring support for the development of Bengaluru. A video of their interaction has since gone viral and showed the CM briefly ‘blessing’ the business leader as they spoke. Shaw has been vocal in her criticism of infrastructure in the capital city — highlighting issues through social media and repeatedly urging the state government to intervene.

“Self-made women in healthcare…I’m number three. I’m the only Indian. There are several others who are Chinese and American,” Shaw can be heard telling Siddaramaiah.

The meeting at Cauvery (his official residence) was also attended by several key leaders and government officials — with many insisting that they were “proud” of Shaw. Others noted that she was wholly self-made and the only woman from India on the list. Siddaramaiah was subsequently seen placing his hand briefly on her head in blessing, prompting Shaw to thank him with a smile.

“But all of you have given me that support. So I must thank you also,” she added.

The Karnataka government has come under criticism over the poor state of roads and traffic issues in the city for quite some time — with industry veterans such as former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai and Shaw repeatedly urging the administration to intervene. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had recently urged them to stop “hurting” the city and the state that have contributed to their growth.

What did they discuss?

“Biocon chief Kiran Muzumdar-Shaw visited Cauvery and wished Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Deepavali. Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti was present on the occasion,” read a short update from Siddaramaiah’s office.

Shivakumar later told reporters that Shaw has assured cooperation and support of the industry for the development of Bengaluru. She had also met him (the Minister in-charge of Bengaluru Development) at his Sadashivanagar residence in the city.

Shaw also called BJP MLA and former Deputy CM C N Ashwath Narayan at his residence.

“It was a pleasure to receive Ms. Kiran Shaw, Founder & Executive Chairperson of Biocon, at my residence today. She visited to invite me to a family function, and I congratulated her on being ranked the 3rd richest woman in the world,” Narayan wrote on X.