Prestigious Jury of eminent professionals

• Devendra Jain, Executive Director, Dilip Buildcon
• Samir Bansal, General Manager, Off-Highway Research
• Sanjeev Kathpalia, Senior Advisor, Prime Minister of Republic of Turkey
• Sameer Malhotra, CEO, Shriram Automall India Ltd

The prestigious 3rd Annual Equipment India Awards hosted by ASAPP Info Global Group was sponsored by HPCL. The event associate was Hire My Machine. While VDMA was the supporting partner, the associate partners were Construction Federation of India (CFI), National Highway Building Federation (NHBF), Off-Highway Research, Construction World and Infrastructure Today.

Ramesh Palagiri, Managing Director, Wirtgen India, was adjudged Equipment India Person of the Year. The Equipment India Bestseller Awards were presented in 12 equipment categories. Each of the proud winner dedicated their awards to their customers in their acceptance speech. The Jury comprised eminent personalities: Devendra Jain, Executive Director, Dilip Buildcon; Samir Bansal, General Manager, Off-Highway Research; Sanjeev Kathpalia, Senior Advisor, Prime Minister of Republic of Turkey; and Sameer Malhotra, CEO, Shriram Automall India Ltd.

Pratap Padode, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, ASAPP Info Global Group, kicked off the proceedings for the evening. Delivering his welcome address to the gathering of over 100 dignitaries of industry professionals, he recounted the journey of EQUIPMENT INDIA, over the past nine years and the spirit of the publication to celebrat  and felicitate the best performers of the CE industry even under very trying times. ?These moments are to be treasured because they pave the way for future victories,? he said. He went on to talk about the Smart Cities initiative, which in turn will grow India in the future. While addressing the US delegation, he mentioned that India is country of innovative ?Jugad? where users deploy simple equipment like backhoe loaders beyond the imagination of the manufacturers and achieve the desired objectives. He paved the way for the CEO FORUM to discuss what?s next after the initial melodious sounds of some instruments being heard, and what is required is to complete the orchestra to play in harmony. Recounting the positive financial indicators for India, he brought into focus three key drivers: i) 7th Pay Commission will put money in the hands of people and will have a multiplier effect; ii) Public spending envisaged in the budget; and iii) Probability of a better monsoon this year which makes the scenario very optimistic. He closed with a poetic note: ?The year has begun on a promise and a prayer. Victory shall be for those who are fearless and those who dare.?

CEO FORUM: Make in India - Fuel Infra
An interactive discussion, CEO Forum, was held concurrently on the theme Make in India - Fuel Infra. The forum was moderated by Vijay Sharma, Director McKinsey, while the Forum panelists included, Anand Sundaresan, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Schwing Stetter India Pvt Ltd and President, iCEMA; VB Gadgil, CEO and Managing Director, L&T Metro Hyderabad; Rajesh Nath, Managing Director, VDMA India; and Raman Aggarwal, Senior Vice President, SREI Equipment Finance. The Forum deliberated on the theme, leaving the distinguished audience spellbound. Raghav Chandra, IAS, Chairman NHAI, the Guest of Honour for the event, unveiled the Anniversary Edition of EQUIPMENT INDIA in presence of the jury members. Addressing the gathering, Raghav Chandra said, ?Infrastructure cannot succeed without suitable equipment. Just as one requires manpower, one also needs technology, and also require appropriate equipment to make this sector roll. Often the equipment and mechanised technology sector is ignored but I am perfectly sensitive to the fact that this is a critical component to move infrastructure forward.? Now as the Chairman of NHAI, he is committed to move road construction at a faster pace by using the PPP model, behind which the seminal thought has been to use the private sector innovations, technologies and life-cycle cost efficiencies. He said that road development is a priority for the government. He added that in India, the highway story will remain relevant for the next 15 years. Despite several complexities involved, he is committed to invest Rs 15-20 lakh crore in roads over the next 15 years. Concluding his speech, he said that the roads sector in India is booming, and he urged the industry to encourage new entrants and create in India. Shankar Srivastava, Managing Editor, EQUIPMENT INDIA, proposed the vote of thanks to all sponsors, participants and the guest of honour, to close the impressive show.

A Krishnakumar, Head - Sales, Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery Company Ltd, receiving the Bestseller Award - Hydraulic excavators and Mini excavators.

Abhijit Gupta, Managing Director, Case New Holland Construction Equipment (India) receiving the Bestseller Award - Compactors.

Amit Bansal, Head - Sales & Marketing, Caterpillar India Pvt Ltd, receiving the Bestseller Award - Wheeled loaders and Motorgraders.

S R Wishanatha, Head - Construction and Mining, BEML Ltd receiving the Bestseller Award - Rigid dump trucks and Dozers.

S Manjunath, Head - Sales, Doosan Infracore India Pvt Ltd, receiving the Bestseller Award - Skid steer loaders.

Jasmeet Singh, Head - Marketing, JCB India Ltd, receiving the Bestseller Award - Backhoe loaders.

Nitin Lall, General Manager - Sales, Atlas Copco (India) Ltd, receiving the Bestseller Award - Air compressors.

Sorab Aggarwal, Executive Director, Action Construction Equipment Ltd, receiving the Bestseller Award - Cranes.

Sunil Sapru, Head - Sales & Marketing, Ammann Apollo, receiving the Bestseller Award - Asphalt Finishers.

Shankar Srivastava delivering vote of thanks.
Pratap Padode delivering the welcome address.
Ramesh Palagiri, Equipment India Man of the Year