NIQR Launches 'NIQR-Dr V Krishnamurthy Medal Manufacturing Excellence in MSMEs
NIQR Headquarters launched the “NIQR-Dr. V. Krishnamurthy Medal for Manufacturing Excellence for MSMEs” on November 26, 2022, at the Holiday Inn, OMR, Chennai.
Mr. S. Muralishankar, National President, NIQR and Managing Director of SUPER AUTO FORGE PRIVATE LIMITED, welcomed the dignitaries and participants.
He mentioned that the occasion and the quality month of November were befitting for the announcement of the institution of the “NIQR-Dr. V. Krishnamurthy Medal” in memory of and with the blessings of Padma Vibhushan, the late Dr. V. Krishnamurthy, to recognise exemplary performance in manufacturing by MSMEs.He also briefly touched upon the evolution of quality system standards and practices over the years and about Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai, being the capital for automotive, quality, and health care, to name a few.
Announcing the launch of the “NIQR-Dr. V. Krishnamurthy Medal,” Mr. S. Rajasekaran, Chairman of the Committee on NIQR-Dr. V. Krishnamurthy Medal and Past-President, NIQR and Managing Director, Ace group of companies, said that in terms of the stringent selection process, scrutiny, and evaluation this medal would be at par with the Malcolm Baldrige Award and Deming Prize. The medal is expected to emerge as the most coveted recognition for MSMEs in India, as currently there is no such award, based on global standards, for MSMEs in India.
The objective of the award is to foster a spirit of competitiveness amongst MSMEs to work towards manufacturing excellence. The award would benefit not only the recipients but also the entire supply chain of the given manufacturing sector. NIQR-Dr. The V. Krishnamurthy Medal would go a long way in recognising and strengthening the contributions of MSMEs in India. The medal would be an annual feature, and eligible MSMEs would be awarded the medal during the World Quality Month of November, starting in November 2023. He also elaborated on the criteria and process for applying for the medal.
In a video message, Dr. V. Swaminathan, Senior Vice President of NIQR, who is in the US, highlighted the germination of the Medal and the legacy of Dr. V. Krishnamurthy. He said that Padma Vibhushan, late Dr. V. Krishnamurthy was a pioneer in bringing significant transformation in quality through the participation of MSMEs in the development of both the private and public sectors for their growth. He is also known as the “Father of Public Sector Undertakings in India” for his leadership and successful contribution in turning around PSUs like BHEL, SAIL and GAIL into the most profit-making industries in India and globally. As a mark of respect to the eminent and visionary leader and institution builder and for his pursuit of excellence, the National Institution for Quality and Reliability is proud and privileged to institute the “NIQR-Dr. V. Krishnamurthy Medal for Manufacturing Excellence for MSMEs” in his honour and with his blessings.
A replica of the medal was unveiled at the event. The first two registration applications for the award were received by:
- S. Seetharaman, MD of Sivaramakrishna Forgings Pvt. Ltd., and
- Mr. P. Gnanagurupatham, GM-Operations, Unicorn (Bangalore) Pvt Ltd., Pondicherry, from the dignitaries on the dais
Welcome Address by Mr. Murali Shankar
Dr. S. Rajasekaran about the Medal
Dr. VS about Selection criteria