Rajnikant D. Shroff, Chairman and Managing Director of UPL Ltd. Conferred Padma Bhushan

MUMBAI:
On the eve of the 72 nd Republic Day of India, Rajnikant Devidasbhai Shroff, the founder of UPL Ltd. a global provider of sustainable agriculture products & solutions, was conferred one of the India’s highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, for his contribution to the field of trade and industry.

This year the President has approved conferment of 119 Padma Awards and Mr.Shroff is the only industrialist to receive Padma Bhushan.

The scientist turned entrepreneur and equal opportunity crusader, Shroff, CMD, UPL Ltd. said, “I have always been a strong nationalist at heart and I am eternally grateful for all the opportunities I had to be a part of the growth of this great nation, and its backbone, which is the agricultural sector. It is truly a humbling experience to be bestowed with such a prestigious award, and it brings immense joy and pride to the UPL Ltd. Group.”

He added, “I began working in this industry over 50 years ago, and it has truly been a remarkable experience for me. I am extremely proud to see what the company has achieved over these years, each milestone a feather in the cap of every one of the 14000 employees of UPL Ltd. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of India for bestowing upon me this great honor, and I would also like to congratulate my fellow awardees and thank them for their respective contributions to our country.”

With a professional career that spans over more than 50 years, Mr. Shroff has received several other accolades and honors for his contribution to the field of agricultural
technology. His dedication to his profession and the causes he supports is unwavering and the many awards he has won are a mere testimony to his abilities. Under his watchful eye, UPL Ltd., which began as a small-scale chemical unit in 1969 at Vapi (Gujarat) involving complex chemical processes to manufacture Red Phosphorus, with a seed capital of just Rupees 4 Lakhs, has grown into India’s only multi-national and multi-cultural agrochemical company, employing over 14000 people, worldwide, with a turnover of US$ 5 billion.

Shroff has been spearheading a larger purpose that is, to expand industrialization of agrochemical sector in India, saving foreign exchange for the country by manufacturing standard quality products at affordable prices for the Indian farmer. He believes, that the purpose of science and technology is only achieved if the products are affordable to be adopted by small holding farmers.

Shroff has always been an ardent believer in giving back to society and helms various Human Welfare Trusts and Organizations. Under Mr. Shroff’s leadership, UPL Ltd. has worked towards taking several socially beneficial steps including creating Institutions of Excellence, organizing Sustainable Livelihood Programmes for neighboring farmers, as well as instilling nature conservation practices in their processes.

Needless to say, the honor is truly befitting this man who has such an extraordinary record in the industry, and who has given so much back to his nation, all while creating value for all the stakeholders of his corporation.