Union Steel & Mines Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar presented the NMD awards at the 53rd National Metallurgists’ Day celebrations held at Coimbatore, Tamilnadu on 14th November, 2015, under the aegis of Ministry of Steel, Govt. of India. While congratulating the awardees, Sh. Tomar said, “Indian Institute of Metals came into existence the same year in which India got its independence. This historical correlation places great responsibility and accountability on IIM, which it is fulfilling in the right spirit. NMD awards carry special significance as these are given to people excelling in the field of metals and metallurgy, which is associated with professional hazards and risks. These people need to be recognized for their contribution to the industry, society and country so that others emulate their example and join the metal fraternity. R&D in Indian steel industry has lagged behind the desired levels and industry has suffered because of that.
Steel Research and Technology Mission of India (SRTMI), which I mentioned during previous meeting, has taken concrete shape now and it is for the industry veterans, academics and experts to make full use of the platform. I urge the participants to deliberate and come up with actionable outcomes in this direction during the remaining days of the programme. Government is taking all possible steps to remove bottlenecks to the growth of steel and metal industry in India. Whether it be raw material security, dumping, excessive imports, corrective steps have been taken to improve the situation. We are keeping constant vigil on the developing scenario and shall take appropriate steps as and when necessitated.”
Total 12 NMD awards were given to professionals who have excelled in the field of metallurgy. The highest award namely Lifetime achievement award was conferred on Shri RN Parbat, former director and COO, INDAL. The chief guest also gave away the two prestigious awards viz. IIM Sustainability Awards to industries under different categories and the IIM-JRD Tata Award for Excellence in Corporate Leadership in Metallurgical Industries, which was given to Shri M Narayana Rao, former CMD, MIDHANI.
Shri Sunil Barthwal , Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, GOI summarized the various capacity building initiatives of the Ministry to improve the research and human resource development in the steel sector in India.The award function was part of the 4-day long programme which included International Symposium on Vision 2025 and the 69th Annual Technical Meeting during 13-16 November 2015. It has been organized by Indian Institute of Metals in association with Department of Metallurgical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore and R&D Centre for Iron and Steel, SAIL. This is the largest metallurgical conclave organised in India during 2015 and more than 1000 delegates representing industry, academia and research organisations in India and abroad are taking part in this event.