All India Management Association (AIMA), the apex body of management profession in India celebrated its 54th Foundation Day and the Management Day in New Delhi on Monday, February 22, 2010. Dr. P Chidambaram, the honourable Union Home Minister of India was the Chief Guest of the day. The theme for the day was ‘Managing India: Turning a Dream into Reality.'

The presentation of Awards for Excellence in Management and Leadership were presented to the notable industry personalities. Mr. R C Bhargava. Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award for Management. The AIMA – JRD Tata Corporate Leadership Award was given to Mr. O P Bhatt, Chairman, State Bank of India. Mr. M Damodaran, Former Chairman, Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Mr. D R Mehta, Founder and Chief Patron, Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayta Samiti (known for its ‘Jaipur Foot’ innovation), Jaipur received the Public Service Excellence Award.

The Chief Guest, Mr. P Chidambaram said, "We have let many opportunities pass by us by not looking them as growth pointers; we need to disrupt the process and look for new ways of getting past the obvious in order to attain faster economic and national growth.” While congratulating the awardees, Mr. Chidambaram drew the common line between all of them. "We are missing opportunities due to timidity, fear of unknown, beaureaucratic shackles. But each one of the awardees have challenged these.” He also added that, "The quality and the depth of leadership would eventually help us in building a better managed corporate world. Management education has to be holistic and the managers have to understand their larger role outside the corporate world, in contribution to national development.”

Mr. O P Bhatt on receiving the award said, "Everyday I think that there is something more to learn! The State Bank of India is becoming vibrant and diverse. There is a need to increase the size and scale of Indian banking along with the economic growth of the country. I’m deeply honoured to receive this prominent award from Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Mr. P Chidambaram and thank AIMA for organizing National Management Day to celebrate excellence in management.” Mr. Bhatt is the first recipient from a PSU to get this coveted award.

Mr. R C Bhargav mentioned in his thanking note to AIMA after receiving the award, "I joined Maruti by accident, but we were successful as we entered the market in the right time. We had the most enthusiastic workers, without whom, Maruti would not have grown as it has today.”

Earlier on the day, Mr. Sanjiv Goenka, President, AIMA said in his welcome speech, “Today is our 54th Foundation day and we are also celebrating this momentous occasion as Management day. On this day, we award distinguished leaders who have made tangible, positive and far- reaching changes in their respective chosen areas of operations. The awards are recognition of excellence in management.”

Ms Sayantani Kar and Ms Byravee Iyer received the AIMA – Dr. Ram Tarneja Award for best Article in Indian Management. AIMA – Dr. J S Juneja Award for Creativity & Innovation for Small & Medium Enterprises was delivered to Transasia Bio-Medical Ltd.

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