Shrutika Patil, Pune
In a move that echoes the tradition of the Maharashtra Bhushan Award, the state’s highest honour for exceptional individuals, the Maharashtra government has announced the prestigious Udyog Ratna Award. This new accolade is designed to honour luminaries who have significantly impacted the industrial landscape.
At the forefront of this prestigious honour is Ratan Tata, the revered Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group. As announced by State Industries Minister Uday Samant, the Maharashtra government has chosen to bestow the inaugural Maharashtra Udyog Ratna Award upon Tata, acknowledging his remarkable contributions.
The decision to introduce the Udyog Ratna Award, mirroring the esteemed Maharashtra Bhushan Award, was in alignment with Maharashtra’s tradition of recognizing excellence. The announcement marks a significant step forward in honouring exceptional individuals within the industrial realm. This historic recognition was unveiled by the government on August 16.
Uday Samant, during a session at the State Legislative Assembly, stated, “Similar to the Maharashtra Bhushan award, which lauds distinguished personalities, the Udyog Ratna award will be conferred on Ratan Tata.”
Samant, while addressing the legislative council, revealed that the choice to honor an industrialist with the inaugural Udyog Ratna Award was made following a meeting attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. The award will be presented to Tata, marking the commencement of this recognition.
In addition to the Udyog Ratna Award, the Maharashtra government plans to extend recognition to young entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs, and Marathi entrepreneurs. Minister Samant’s announcement regarding these additional accolades underscores the state’s commitment to celebrating excellence in diverse fields.
The Maharashtra Udyog Ratna Awards honour individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions across sectors such as business, industry, education, real estate, tourism, financial services, fashion, electronics, agriculture, banking, IT, foods, and healthcare within the state.
Ratan Tata’s leadership has propelled the Tata Group to unparalleled heights. Under his stewardship, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) went public, while Tata Motors gained international recognition by being listed on the New York Stock Exchange. During his 21-year tenure at the helm of the Tata Group, revenues witnessed a remarkable growth of over 40 times, with profits soaring by more than 50 times.
In addition to the upcoming Udyog Ratna Award, Ratan Tata’s career has been adorned with several prestigious accolades, including India’s Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and Padma Bhushan in 2000, two of the nation’s highest civilian honours.