Pune : “The need of the hour for entrepreneurs is to undertake activities that significantly contribute to the welfare of the society and the country. When working in any field our guiding principles should be based on quality, values, and sustainability. It is important to internalize that prosperity goes far beyond financial gain” opined Sanjay Kirloskar, Managing Director of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd, while delivering his key note address as the Chief Guest of the Annual Awards Function of Deccan Chamber of Commerce Industries & Agriculture Pune (DCCIA) held at Hotel Grand Sheraton, Raja Bahadur Mills Road, Pune.

Rathin Sinha, Chairman of DCCIA, H P Srivastava , Vice Chairman of DCCIA, Vasudev Malu, Secretary of DCCIA, Prakash Dhoka, Treasurer of DCCIA and Vibhu Prasad, member of DCCIA amongst other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Inder Jain, the brain behind India’s largest Polymer compound manufacturing company namely APPL Industries Ltd was honoured with ‘The DCCIA - Lifetime Achievement Award 2023’. Diya Garware Ibanez was decorated with “The DCCIA Award for Excellence- Best Industrialist 2023”, for her noteworthy contribution in transforming Garware Fulflex into a world-leading organization. Rear Admiral Purushottam Dutt Sharma (Retd) was honoured with “DCCIA Pune Award for Excellence – Social Service 2023” for his unwavering dedication spanning over 25 years towards community safety wherein he trained over one million people in life-saving skills.

The ‘DCCIA Best HR Practices Award’ was bestowed upon Wika Instruments Pvt Ltd., while the ‘DCCIA Best Safety Practices Award’ was presented to ITC Ltd. The awards were presented at the hands of Sanjay Kirloskar.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Sanjay Kirloskar said, “Along with adopting updated technology and recognising their own capabilities, entrepreneurs should focus on productivity, prosperity, and stability. In today’s dynamic industrial landscape there is a new start-up being established every day and the I feel the only way to stay relevant for entrepreneurs is to embrace change and continue to learn each day”

Speaking on the occasion, Rathin Sinha- said, “DCCIA has been working relentlessly to provide guidance and a platform for SMEs, Start Ups as well as Multinational Companies from in and around Pune for any business-related issues.”

H P Srivastava said, “Pune is an important industrial belt for the state and the country and hence DCCIA has been working persistently to solve the problems of not only entrepreneurs but also of other stakeholders who are equally important. Maharashtra can emerge as a primary investment destination only if we design policies that attract entrepreneurs and investors. Keeping this in mind, the Government of Maharashtra has rightly brought the “Maharashtra Industry, Trade and Investment Facilitation Act 2023” in July 23. The Act is of immense help in time bound sanctioning of permissions and licenses, required for setting up a factory, through a single window scheme which is a right step towards ease of doing business. However, the Act has still not been implemented in letter & spirit as the required changes are still under development stage under Maitri Portal' which is the nodal agency for implementation. The need of the hour is get this act implemented without any further delay and the same should be publicised widely.

Devina Rai moderated the program while Vasudev Malu presented the vote of thanks.