UPSMA honoured the pioneer personalities of the sugar industry with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for their excellence and significant contribution to the industry. It is a Herculean task in itself to select 6 names to be honoured among the excellent people who have done tremendous work in the betterment of the sugar industry. UPSMA acknowledges the hard work and dedication of all the personalities who have spent their whole lives working for the upliftment of the sugar industry.
A grand event was organized by the UP Sugar Mills Association on 17th February, 2023 at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan to celebrate the anniversary of 120 years of first sugar mill establishment in Uttar Pradesh
Mr. Sawhney is Chairman of The Triveni Group comprising of Triveni Turbine Ltd. and Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd. which have market capitalizations of US$ 1.1 Billion and US$ 0,8 Billion respectively, Triveni Engineering is one of India’s largest producers of sugar and ethanol, and deals with over 300,000 farmers at its seven state of the art FSSC 22000 certified modern and efficient sugar units in U.P.
Triveni is a global leader in the manufacture and refurbishment of highspeed gears, water and wastewater treatment projects on a turnkey and build operate and own basis. Triveni Turbine is one of the largest global manufacturers of industrial steam turbines with an estimated global market share of over 20%,
Mr. Sawhney graduated with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Sciences from Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, U.K. and an M.B.A with distinction from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. He was on the Dean’s list for all terms, came second in the University, and is a life member of Beta Gama Sigma, a society for those who graduate amongst the top 1% in the U.S.
Mr. Sawhney is the receipient “Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur” from Late President Chirac of the French Republic, and was made an ‘Honorary Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order’ (LVO) by Late HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Mr. Sawhney was President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in 1991/92. He was also nominated by the Government of India to be the founder Chairman of the Indian Institute of Management Kashipur and, he has also been the Chairman of the Doon School and President of the All India Chess Federation,
Mr. Sawhney is a Companion Member of the Chartered Institute of Management, U.K. and a Chevalier of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin in Burgundy.
Mr. Sawhney chairs the Board of Trustees of North India’s oldest private charitable hospital funded by the Triveni Group which runs a college for nursing. Mr. Sawhney was the Chairman – Executive International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT) 1995-99; President Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) two terms (1985-87), President Sugar Technologists’ Association (STAI) (1988-91).
Late Dr. Krishna Kumar Birla, son of legendary Late Shri. Ghanshyam Das Birla was born in Pilani, Rajasthan, on 12th October 1918. He joined the Sugar Industry in the year 1940 and was amongst the founder member of the Indian Sugar Industry. He was the Chairman of Upper Ganges Sugar & Industries Ltd., The Oudh Sugar Mills Ltd. and Gobind Sugar Mills Ltd and was appointed as the Chairman – Emeritus of all these companies in the year 2002 and remained so till his death in the year 2008.
Under his dynamic leadership and legacy, Dr. KK Birla Group of Sugar Industries at present is having seven sugar factories spread over the States of U.P. and Bihar with combined capacity of 56,000 Tons Crush per Day, four distilleries having capacity of 485 KLPD, six Cogeneration plants with capacity of 112 MW.
Over the years, Dr. Birla had established one of India’s well known business conglomerate through his brilliance in entrepreneurial genius and sheer hard work. He nurtured the K. K. Birla Group as one of the most respected Business House in India. The Group covers a wide canvas with interest in sugar, fertilizers, media, textiles, shipping, engineering, financial services, furniture, information technology, plantations and infrastructure sectors. One of his greatest achievements has been to earn the trust of his millions of shareholders, employees, customers and various other stakeholders, which has played a crucial role in phenomenal growth of the Group.
Dr. Birla was a Member of Rajya Sabha for 18 consecutive years, In the year 1961, he was elected Sheriff of Calcutta and in the year 1997, he was conferred Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by Pondichery University. He had chaired a number of Chambers of Commerce such as Indian Sugar Mills Association, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Indian Chamber of Commerce and many such prominent organizations. His numerous responsibilities included the Trusteeship of the Birla Education Trust, which runs a number of schools and institutions in the Country offering subsidized education, and Chairmanship of the prestigious Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) at Pilani and Dubai. Dr. Birla had established K.K. Birla Foundation which has instituted annual awards for excellence in Indian Literature, Scientific Research, Indian Philosophy etc.
Late Dr. K. K Birla was an outstanding visionary, a business leader par excellence and a multi- dimensional industrialist, a caring philanthropist, an astute parliamentarian and an eminent scholar. Late Dr. K. K Birla had a rare distinction of being a multi faceted personality but above all he was a humble humanist. The beautiful Radhakrishna Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in Kolkata and the G.D. Birla Sabhagar in Kolkata are amongst his many social contributions bearing testimony to his self effacing humanity. Dr. Birla has left behind a rich legacy for many to emulate.
Lala Bansi Dhar was born in 1930, in the renowned Shriram business family. Owing to his keen sense of observation, interpersonal skills and business accumen, in 1985, he rose to the position of Chairman & Sr. Managing Director of erstwhile DCM Limited. Subsequently due to re-organization of the company in 1990, he became Chairman & Managing Director of DCM Shriram Industries Group.
Though the business conglomerate had business interests in areas of sugar, alcohol, chemicals, industrial rayon, marine freight container etc., the sugar business had a special place in his heart. He provided necessary guidance and inspiration to his team to ensure that the two sugar factories under his charge nemely Daurala and Mawana became technically advanced and were rated amongst the best sugar factories in the country.
Lala Bansi Dhar made significant contribution to the sugar industry at the national level as the President of ISMA and various other business associations. As a multi faceted personality, he contributed for the development of the nation as President of FICCI, PHDCCI, as Member, Governing Boards of Indian Institute of Management, National Productivity Council, Indian Institute of Science, All India Management Association, Sports Authority of India, to name a few.
He was a simple and humble man of high values, His focus on cane development, efficiencies and new technologies contributed immensely to the UP Sugar Industry
Meenakshi Saraogi is widely acknowledged as one of the visionaries of India’s sugar industry. There are three things credited to her leadership: one, she reversed the practice of remote leadership management by spending more than ten months a year in various sugar manufacturing plants, away from her hometown of Calcutta. Two, she was singularly responsible for commissioning or acquiring ten manufacturing facilities across East and Central Uttar Pradesh. It is a testimony to her foresight that these command areas have grown substantially since. Three, she was among the first promoters in Uttar Pradesh’s sugar sector to live the ‘Farmer first’ philosophy, ensuring that farmers be remunerated within 14 days, probably quicker than most competing mills. This kickstarted a virtuous cycle of farmer cash flows that attracted more farmers to grow cane, creating a robust foundation for the benefit of the company, state and country.
Late Madhava Prasad Ji was born on June 5, 1929 and completed his B.S. (Chemical Engineering) from the University of California, USA in 1950. In 1953, after his return from the USA, he took charge of the L.H. Sugar Factories Ltd. Kashipur, Nainital (now in uttarakhand) as Director-in-charge. He became the Managing Director of both the L.H. Sugar Factories Pilibhit and Kashipur in 1961. He became a committee member at the Indian Sugar Mills Association since 1964 and was the President of ISMA between 1975 and 1976. He was also the Director of the Punjab National Bank during 1964-1969 as well as the Director of the PNB Finance Ltd. in 1969, He had been the Director of the L.H. Sugar Factories Ltd, since 1953. Late Madhav Prasadji was also a member of the Delegation to the Congress of International Society of Sugarcane Technologists in 1959 at Hawaii, USA.
Madhav Prasadji had also held the position of Director of U.P. Financial Corporation; U.P. Forest Corporation; Nainital Bank Limited; Gwalior Sugar Companies Limited. Besides, he has also been a member of Customs & Central Excise Advisory Council.
Madhav Prasadji was large hearted, empathetic, soft spoken with a great quality of human relationships and always humble in expression. This greatly helped to keep the Family together. He was particularly caring and concerned to the workers and cane growers of the Factory.
His keen interest in Public Service and philanthropy developed more while he had studied in Berkeley in the University of California with Late Piloo Mody (MP). He was a talented National Level Bridge Player and participated won many tournaments in the Country. He represented U.P. in the National Bridge Tournaments several times.
The people of Pilibhit, especially the cane farmers, considered him as their guide, mentor and well wisher and continuously sought his sound and mature advice.
LH Sugar Factories Ltd. (Pilibhit) was established in 1909 and till date, four generations are in business together.
Mr. Vijay Kumar Goel has over 65 years of experience in the Sugar Industry.
He started his carrier at the age of 19 when he had to leave B.H.U where he was studying Chemical Engineering and join the family business.
He has been the President of the Indian Sugar Mills Association, Sugar technologist Association of India and Indian Sugar Export Corporation.
His pioneering work to reduce the steam consumption and improve the fuel economy of the Sugar Industry was recognized by the Govt. of India, which conferred him with the “National Efficiency Award” for achieving the “Lowest Steam Consumption for the Season 1988-89”.
He has spearheaded several technological innovations, in the Indian Sugar Industry. Some of the major innovations and technologies introduced by him are:
Introduction of Fibrizers to improve the cane preparation for the first time in India.
He has been a keen sportsman with a special interest in squash. He developed and continues to run a program to develop national and international level squash players in rural India.
He has established two schools in rural Uttar Pradesh (Asmoli and Gunnaur). These Schools provide special incentives to enroll girl students and offer scholarships to girl students who belong to economically challenged families.