Speaking at a conference organised in New Delhi in her honour, Nooyi -- on her first official visit outside the US after taking charge -- gave an insight into how companies can contribute to societal growth through their good citizenship.

"I admit that my view on this has evolved over time. The seeds of my interest were sown more than 40 years ago by one of India's truly great women - my mother," Nooyi said.

Speaking about how important it was for companies to contribute to societal health, she narrated an anecdote from her childhood.

"At the family dinner table, when I was growing up, my mother would challenge my sister and me to explain what we would do if we were elected Prime Minister. She'd ask us one simple but compelling question: What will you do change the world?"

"... my mother was teaching us a lesson: a lesson about possibilities and opportunities, but even more about responsibilities," Nooyi said, adding that the lesson learnt in childhood led her to evolve the new direction for PepsiCo globally, "Performance with a purpose".

"That means delivering superior financial performance at the same time we improve the world," Nooyi said, amid applause from the audience. 

Pepsi cola totally safe: Indra Nooyi