The 3rd milestone! - Maharashatra Corporate Excellence Awards, 2014 Announced

It gives us immense pleasure to announce the third Maxell Awards on today’s auspicious occasion - 1st May, 2014 being the Maharashtra Day!

The state of Maharashtra has consistently been at the forefront of industrial development. With its conducive policies and economic framework the state has been home to the country’s finest entrepreneurial talent, innovators and thought leaders. Maxell Foundation contributes to this progressive environment by committing itself to recognize, reward and encourage excellence in all entrepreneurial and professional endeavors through its annual Maharashtra Corporate Excellence – Maxell Awards.

Now in its 3^rd year, Maxell Foundation takes this mission to the next level.  It now looks to new vistas, across industrial sectors and beyond traditional models of business where Maharashtra-born thought leaders and entrepreneurs have made an impact.  In addition to recognizing excellence in entrepreneurship and business leadership, this year, Maxell also honors entrepreneurs who have created social impact, namely, Pradeep Lokhande through his ‘Rural Relations’.Maxell would also like to give special recognition to ‘Maharashtra Center for Entrepreneurship Development’ (MCED), a Government of Maharashtra initiative on completing 25 years in its pivotal role in imparting technical, managerial and entrepreneurial skills to over 10 lakh youngsters across Maharashtra.

Maxell Awards would be conferred at a grand ceremony scheduled on 20^th June, 2014 at Nehru Auditorium, Worli in the presence of special invitees and Maxell Advisory Board members Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, Kumar Ketkar, Arvind Savant, Y. M. Deosthalee, Sunil Deshmukh and Founder-Trustee Nitin Potdar. 

The winners of Maxell Awards 2014:

1.  Maxell Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship - 2014

Mr Parsharam S. Jadhav (Bapusaheb)

Bapusaheb Jadhav’s journey is the quintessential rags-to-riches story. Having begun working early in life, actually as a laborer, he has risen up in life to head a group with an annual turnover rivaling some of our corporate houses. His company – Saroj Iron Industries is a foundry manufacturing iron castings for engine cylinder heads and has global automotive leaders among its customers.

Maxell Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship - 2014

Mr Ravi Pandit, Chairman & CEO; along with Mr Kishor Patil Co-Founder & CEO (of KPIT Technologies Ltd., Pune.

Mr Ravi Pandit and Mr Kishor Patil are both CA and Cost & Works Accountants who co-founded their venture KPIT Technologies in Pune, India. Mr Pandit has demonstrated dynamism and financial insights to steer KPIT to global success, while Mr Patil being an innovator with a sharp entrepreneurial instinct has shown astuteness in establishing overseas operations, maneuvering profitable integrations and effecting strategic mergers and acquisitions across 6 continents. Today, the company has operational presence in 16 countries.

2.  Maxell Award for Excellence in Business Leadership - 2014

Ms. Seema (Vaidya) Modi, MD Heinz India

Ms Seema Vaidya Modi, MD Heinz India is a veteran of many brand battles, with her insight and strategic positioning followed by clutter-busting advertising, she has repeatedly demonstrated unbeatable marketing and entrepreneurial skills. In her current capacity, she has infused a new vitality in all of Heinz brands with new strategies and complete brand makeover, all of which is reflected in increased revenues since her taking charge in 2012.  Her work has always reflected sagacity, vision and sustainability – quintessence of great leadership.

3.  Maxell Award for Excellence in Innovation - 2014

Mr Sanjay Gaikwad

Technopreneur Mr Sanjay Gaikwad, founder and MD, Valuable Group of Companies has been a game changer for the entertainment industry. His digital media distribution business UFO Moviez has virtually eliminated the problem of piracy.

4.  Maxell Emerging Excellence-2014

Mrs Nirmala Kandalgaonkar, Chairperson VIVAM SWM, Pune.

As the founder and chairperson of Vivam SWM, Mrs Nirmala Kandalgaokar has helped India reduce its carbon footprint through effective solutions in solid waste management. Vivam develops vermicomposting and biogas plants for installation in schools, residential complexes, government offices, industries and farms.

5.  Maxell Social Entrepreneur-2014

Mr Pradeep Lokhande

Mr Pradeep Lokhande has more than redefined the role of an entrepreneur. He has established an effective 2-way communication between India’s rural society and those who wish to reach it for commercial, academic or development purposes. In the process, he has also brought positive transformation with sustainable measures like Gyan-Key - a free library in village schools.

6.  Maxell Special Recognition - 2014

Maharashtra Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (MCED)

MCED is a fountainhead of entrepreneurial talent, the chief engine behind Maharashtra’s industrial growth and excellence. Since 1988, it has proven that idea is true capital and has created approx. 1mn. entrepreneurs by empowering them with requisite training, skills and know-how.

7.  Maxell Lifetime Achievement Award - 2014

Dr Ashok Joshi, President Ceramantec Inc, US.

Dr Ashok Joshi is a technopreneur, investor, philanthropist and one of our brightest minds in technology. He has over 100 issued US patents to his credit and is currently the President of Ceramantec Inc.US. His body of work includes founding six technology companies in the US, 3 of which he sold and in 3 he continues to be a stakeholder. He is also engaged actively in many charitable, educational and societal development endeavors, both in his home town Utah as well as in India.