The Mahindra Transport Excellence Awards 2012 ceremony which marked the formal end to Mahindra’s sustained campaign initiated in July 2012 to identify and reward the unsung heroes of Indian transport, was held in New Delhi on January 9. The whole programme was intended to recognise the performance excellence of the stakeholders in the Indian transport sector – those who live by the principles of Mahindra RISE and those who demonstrate the RISE pillars of ‘accepting no limits’, ‘alternative thinking’ and ‘driving positive change’.
Covering categories like fleet owners, fleet drivers, Dhaba owners, highway mechanics, application builders and driver training staff, this year’s Awards edition had an aggregate of 2,780 entries, 60 per cent more than last year. Of the 38 Awards winners, 28 were regional and 10 national. A major highlight of the function was the presentation of a brand new MN25 truck to the Super Outperformer Driver Award, Shiv Prasad of Artee Roadways Ltd., for having saved Rs. 12 crores in a year for his company by introducing an aerodynamic element in the roof of his truck.
The gala Awards Night began with the lighting of the traditional lamp by Mr. Praful Patel, Union Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, in the presence of Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group, Mr. M. F. Farooqui, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Mr. Ambuj Sharma, Joint Secretary, Dr. Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Mr. Nalin Mehta, Managing Director & CEO, Mahindra Navistar Automotives Ltd., and Mr. Bhaskar Das, Group CEO, Zee Network.
After the welcome address by Dr. Goenka, Mr. Praful Patel spoke in detail on the Mahindra Group success all along, the vital role it is playing for overall growth, the importance of the Awards instituted by it and how they had touched the lives of so many people in the transport industry.
This was followed by Mr. Mehta’s presentation on the different aspects of the Awards to be presented, emphasising the fact that this year’s function was more representative with three new categories added to the original list.
Attended by over 650 special invitees, the function began with the presentation of Awards to the Customised Applications Builder and the Driver Training Initiative categories. In the Customised Applications Builder category, Satrac Engineering Pvt. Ltd. bagged the National Winner trophy while Transport Solutions India (TSI) Pvt. Ltd. was adjudged National Runner-up. The Krishna District Lorry Owners Association was chosen as National Winner in the Driver Training Initiative category.
The next set of Awards given away were for the Dhaba, Mechanic and Driver category, the troika of the Transport Lifeline, deserving the special Mahindra tribute to the industry heroes who take the role of a lubricant for an engine.
The Dhaba winners who were recognized with the Awards excelled in providing great service and facilities to their customers, in addition to fabulous food – a home away from home.
The Highway Mechanics who bagged the Awards had equipped themselves to come to the rescue of trucks in distress. Similarly drivers who move the wheels of the industry contribute in a big way every time they get behind the steering wheel. Those who received the Awards had gone a step further in this endeavour.
The fleet owners who won recognition this year have really battled the vagaries of Indian transport to make a living and thus are real unsung heroes who follow the pillars of RISE. In the Fleet Owner category, Agarwal Packers & Movers Ltd. came on top as the National Winner, followed by Globe Eco Logistics Ltd., the National Runner-up.
The biggest attraction this year’s edition was the addition of the new category – the Lady Transport Personality of the Year – a pioneering Mahindra initiative to acknowledge the efforts of those who dared to enter this male bastion and made a difference.
Speaking on the new category, Mr. Anand Mahindra observed: “In the last few weeks, there have been some very shameful headlines on issues concerning the way we treat women. That makes it even more important for companies like ours to empower, encourage and recognize women achievers. The Indian transport industry is a very male dominated one, where women have to struggle to make their mark. So this year we have instituted the Lady Transport Personality of the Year Award as our tribute to women who have taken on the challenge of the transport industry in India, stood shoulder to shoulder with the men, and outperformed them.
Ms. Chitra Shinde, President and Director, Gati-Kintetsu Express Pvt. Ltd., was chosen as National Winner in the Lady Transport Personality of the Year category. Receiving the Award, she turned a little emotional and said, “if my father were to be here, he would have been very proud today!”
Another interesting category, the Youth Transport Personality of the year, attracted 297 candidates this year, almost double than the previous edition. The statistics are good pointers to the fact that Mahindra is well on its way to connecting better with the next-gen of the trucking fraternity. It was heartening to witness Mr. Deepak Baid of Siddhi Vinayak Logistic Ltd. win the Youth Transport Personality of the Year Award. A beaming Deepak came to the stage along with Mr. R. C. Baid, his father, reminding everyone of the ‘Papa Ka Business’ Story!
The Awards philosophy was very aptly summarized by Dr. Goenka who said: “We are keen that we also focus on what is traditionally called the softer aspects – building a place in the minds and hearts of people from our eco-system. It is here that Mahindra Transport Excellence Awards plays a role.”
The Mahindra Transport Excellence Awards are an emotional connect initiative of brand Mahindra to build a strong bond with the Indian transport industry. After the successful conduct of the Awards function this year which has evoked strong and enthusiastic participation, Mahindra remains committed with its promise to arrange a much better edition next time.