Expressing his views at the 8th Annual Global Nagpur Awards 2021 distribution function held here on Saturday, Union Minister for Road Transport and National Highways Nitin Gadkari said, entrepreneurship qualities among the people of the city is a must for the development of Nagpur. “We have good infrastructure, educational institutions of national and international repute, rich minerals and other resources available here. Along with this, we also need entrepreneurship qualities to make Nagpur a global city. Without it, we cannot imagine real growth and prosperity,” he said. Gadkari was chief guest of the awards distribution ceremony while Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari; former Rajya Sabha MP - Ajay Sancheti; Central Member of Khadi and Village Industries Commission - Jaiprakash Gupta; Nagpur Divisional Commissioner - Prajakta Lavangare-Verma; Corporate Vice President HCL Technologies - Srimathi Shivashankar; Executive Director Dalmia Cements and Chair - India, Nagpur First - Hakimuddin Ali; Director Sales and Marketing, Calderys- Alok Nagar; and Director, VNIT, Nagpur - Dr Pramod Padole were among the prominent persons seated on the dais.

 

Chair - International of Nagpur First - Dinesh Jain; Padma Vibhushan Dr R A Mashelkar; Industry Connect Nagpur First - Amit Waikar and others joined the mega event virtually. As the ceremony was also being watched by a large number of Nagpurians based in other parts of the globe, Gadkari took the opportunity to attract them to make investments in the region. “Many people have invested here and they are doing quite well. Others can follow them as the region offers everything that is required,” he said, quoting examples of some investors. Gadkari further appealed to the investors to plan investments to the tune of Rs 5000 crore or more considering the resources available in the Vidarbha region. In his speech, Dr R A Mashelkar said that Nagpur possesses five unique characters that make it a perfect place. “It is a well balanced city having a knowledge centre. Further, it is a well-governed place and witnesses prosperity. Apart from this, there is happiness among the people,” he said, adding that one can take Nagpurians away from Nagpur but not Nagpur from the Nagpurians. Expressing satisfaction over the achievements of the Nagpurians, Ajay Sancheti said the city has no dearth of talent. “Many people of the city and adjoining areas have excelled in various fields and made us feel proud.

 

I am very happy to see the felicitation of such people and I wish to offer my full support in this noble cause,” he said. At the outset, Dinesh Jain in his opening remark gave the brief idea of Nagpur First and said that the basic idea behind the not-for-profit organisation is to help, support and contribute towards Nagpur city’s growth and development. Hakimuddin Ali welcomed the guests. Alka Tiwari conducted the proceedings of the function while Sachin Jahagirdar, Treasurer, Nagpur First Foundation and Chair, Global Nagpur Awards, proposed the vote of thanks. The Nagpur First Foundation in association with Calderys India Refractories Ltd., announced the 8th Annual Global Nagpur Awards 2021 wherein individuals and organisations in over 15 unique categories were honoured. The ceremony was part of the summit being organised by HCL and Nagpur First. On the occasion, Dr Ramesh Jain was given the award of Global Nagpuri Star. The other winners include Virag Wankhede from Arts & Culture; Alfia Pathan from Sports; Charudatt Joglekar from Individual Professional category; Drip Capital from Start Up category; Vikram Labhe - Estd. Entrepreneur category; Amlamrut - Agriculture and Agricultural Products; Hotelogix; Delaplex from IT category; Priyadarshini College of Engineering from Education; Alexis from Health; Disha Trust - Social Venture; Shekhar Mande - Science and Technology; Elkem - Manufacturing; Panchjanya Productions - Media and Entertainment; Click to Cloud - Entrepreneurship with Social Commitments; and Soham Dange from Child Prodigy category.