<span style="color: #222222;">President Ram Nath Kovind today said India's mercantile class has contributed immensely to country's development. Presenting Lakshmipat Singhania – IIM, Lucknow National Leadership Awards 2018 in New Delhi this afternoon, Mr Kovind said, Mahatma Gandhi, appreciated the role played by business leaders during the country's freedom movement. </span><br />''<br />''He said India faces a lot of challenges in the present era which include climate change and sustainable development. He stressed on the need to find collectively find solutions to these challenges, saying that business is one sector which drives a nation's growth.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The President added that with the right leadership, any challenge can be met. He also said that ethics, truth and trust are being recognized as important components in business studies.</span><br />