Munjal, seven others get E & Y award

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, SEPT. 27. Mr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal, promoter-chairman of the country's largest motorcycle manufacturing company, Hero Honda, received Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) Awards for 2001 here today.

Mr. Munjal, who will now attend the E&Y's annual International Entrepreneurship Conference at Palm Springs, California, in November, will also represent India at the World Entrepreneur of the year Contest at Monte Carlo, Monaco, in 2002.

While Dr. Jamshed J. Irani, former managing director of Tata Steel received the lifetime achievement award, the four industry category awards went to Mr. Suresh Krishna of Sundram Fasteners (manufacturing), Dr. Prathap C. Reddy of Apollo Hospitals (services), Mr. Jerry Rao of Mphasis BFL (information technology, communications and entertainment) and Dr. Anji Reddy of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (healthcare and life sciences).

Mr. Munjal's saga of creating a Rs. 6,000 crore two-wheeler conglomerate began almost half a century ago when he started manufacturing bicycle components for both the local and export markets. With the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, the Japanese Honda Motors roped in for collaboration in 1984, Mr. Munjal's venture was a super hit from day one with both investors and customers.Cheering Mr. Munjal was the Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Ms. Sushma Swaraj, among a host of top industrialists, professionals and government officials present at the glittering Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards nite.

Selecting the awardees, the six-member jury seemed to be in total agreement with the business glitterati attending the awards banquet, to name the crowd favourite Ms. Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms as the Start-up Entrepreneur Of The Year. She received the award amidst standing ovation from all present. Incidentally, she is the first woman entrepreneur to receive the coveted E&Y Start-up Entrepreneur Of The Year award in India.

The jury headed by Mr. Rahul Bajaj took little time to decide who is the Manager Entrepreneur Of The Year. Of course, it is Mr. Yogesh Chandra Deveshwar, Chairman, ITC.

Congratulating the winners and all the finalists, Mr. Kashi N. Memani, Chairman, Ernst & Young, said, ``The EOY award programme not only discovers entrepreneurial talents in the country and celebrates their success, but also provides a tremendous boost to the nascent entrepreneurial activities in India. More entrepreneurs mean more employment and the multiplier effect can foster many more entrepreneurial activities in the country. This will fuel wealth creation and ensure economic growth.''

Mr. V. V. Ranganathan, National Director for the Programme, said, ``The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Award is unique. It opens the door for an Indian entrepreneur to be recognised by the world community of entrepreneurs. The strength of these awards is the impeccable reputation and independence of the jury and the ability of the programme's process-based approach to uncover stellar performers. The benefits of receiving the award go far beyond receiving the trophy. Winners enjoy international recognition. As symbols of success, they create a contagious atmosphere of charge in the team of people they lead, creating encouraging results, which fuel greater success.''

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Section  : Business
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