Mahindra Navistar Automotives Ltd. (MNAL) of the $14.4 billion Mahindra Group, honoured the heroes of the Indian transportation industry by presenting them the first-ever Mahindra Navistar Transport Excellence Awards 2011 at a glittering ceremony held in New Delhi. The Awardees were recognised for their Outperformance, Excellence, Innovation and Change Leadership in the Transport Ecosystem – values which embodies the spirit of MNAL.
The award winners were celebrities in their own right. Each one of them had a different story of their own to narrate, all relating to his endeavor to achieve in excellence by, ‘Accepting No Limits’, ‘Alternative Thinking’ and ‘Driving Positive Change’, the three facets of Mahindra’s much talked about Rise initiative.
“Mahindra Navistar, as the challenger brand, has taken on the onus of making a difference in the lives of the trucking community.
– Dr. Pawan Goenka
The Awards were given across six categories in the first edition, including the Award for Fleet Owners, Youth Transport Personality, Fleet Drivers, Commercial Vehicle Financiers, Highway Dhabas, and Not-for-Profit Entities.
Mr. Praful Patel, Union Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, was the Chief Guest at the function. Mr. S. Sundareshan, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Navistar Automotives Ltd., and Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Dr. Pawan Goenka, Director, Mahindra Navistar Automotives Ltd., and President, Automotives & Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Mr. Nalin Mehta, Managing Director, Mahindra Navistar Automotives Ltd., and Mr. Barun Das, CEO, Zee News Ltd., were among the other dignitaries present on the occasion.
“You can take the foundation your parent has built and grow your own dreams by building on it, because this is a new India and it needs all the entrepreneurs it can get.”
– Mr. Anand Mahindra
Addressing the function, Dr. Pawan Goenka said: “Firstly with its products and now with these awards, MNAL has connected with the transport ecosystem at an emotional level. Coupled with its service back-up and a sense of customer service, MNAL will, in times to come, become one of the most respected brands of the Indian trucking industry”.
Complimenting Mahindra Navistar for undertaking this initiative of bringing laurels to the transport industry, Mr. Praful Patel, in his keynote address, extended his heartiest congratulation to all the Award winners whose relentless pursuit of excellence gave them the winning edge. “I urge the transporters present to adapt to the current unprecedented economic changes and emerge victorious by investing in the future today. It is very important to imbibe the industry imperatives such as innovation in technology, enriching partnership and transforming workforce that define the path to prosperity. I convey my best wishes to Mahindra Navistar for their foresight and ingenuity in collaborating with multiple stakeholders through this first-ever Transport Excellence Award and wish them all success in their future endeavors”.
Mr. Nalin Mehta observed: “We at Mahindra Navistar wish to recognize the very valuable contribution that various stakeholders in the transport ecosystem make to turn the wheels of economy. Be it the transporters, the drivers, the dhaba owners, financiers or the not-for-profit organizations – they all have been the unsung heroes in the success story of the Indian economy and the contribution of the transport sector towards it.”
“We will continue and further strengthen the first step that we have taken in celebrating excellence in transport industry which will surely have a multiplier effect and will cross pollinate success stories.”
– Mr. Nalin Mehta
The distinguished Award winners
Abdul Ghani, fleet driver, Professional Automotives Ltd., won the Super Outperformer Driver of the Year 2011 Award and a brand new MN 25 Truck. In the Fleet Owners category, InLand Road Transport Pvt. Ltd., Cargo Wings and Siddhi Vinayak Logistic Ltd., won the National Awards. In the Commercial Vehicle Financiers’ category, SREI BNP Paribas, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., and HDFC Bank Ltd., bagged the National Awards.
The Awards have set new standards for the Indian transport sector by recognizing and rewarding the efforts of its key constituents. This will go a long way in encouraging the younger generation of entrepreneurs to look at transport as an attractive industry.