Mumbai…March 20,
2025 :The prestigious Lokmat Maharashtrian
of the Year Awards 2025 celebrated the excellence and contributions of
remarkable individuals across various fields in Maharashtra at a grand event
held at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. Organized by Lokmat Media, the awards honored
personalities who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership,
leaving a lasting impact on society.
The event
witnessed the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Hon’ble Governor
of Maharashtra Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and
Shri Ajit Pawar, Hon’ble Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly Shri Rahul
Narwekar, Sanjiv Bajaj - Chairman & Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv, P.
P. Brahmavihari Das - International Relations of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha,
Kartik Aaryan - Bollywood Actor, Deven Bharti - Spl. Commissioner at Mumbai
Police, Dr. Vijay Darda - Chairman of Lokmat Editorial Board, Rajendra Darda - Editor
in Chief of Lokmat Media Group and Rishi Darda - Joint Managing Director &
Editorial Director, Lokmat Media Group. Their participation underscored the
significance of recognizing and celebrating individuals who shape Maharashtra’s
future.
Shri C. P.
Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, graced the Lokmat Maharashtrian
of the Year 2025 as the Chief Guest and expressed,
"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the distinguished awardees
across various fields – from social work to public service, administration, and
art and culture. It is initiatives like these by the Lokmat family that truly
recognize and celebrate the voices shaping our society. Maharashtra holds a
unique position in the country's progress, and with major infrastructure
developments like the Navi Mumbai airport and the upcoming deep seaport at
Vadhavan, the state's role in driving India's economic growth is undeniable. Achieving
the goal of a $1 trillion economy is essential for realizing the vision of
Viksit Maharashtra.
I thank Prime
Minister Narendra Modiji and his team on behalf of the people of Maharashtra
for their efforts in recognizing Marathi as a classical language—a testament to
the rich cultural and historical legacy of the state. This achievement deserves
greater appreciation.
Only one thing I
want to emphasize: we must all work together to make Maharashtra a $1 trillion
economy. Viksit Bharat is not possible unless Maharashtra contributes in a
significant way. By achieving this milestone, we pave the path toward national
progress, and I urge everyone to move collectively toward this shared goal.
As we move toward
a Viksit Bharat, it is crucial that public discourse goes beyond politics to
focus on economic development. I encourage media platforms like Lokmat to
continue informing the public about transformative projects and their potential
to reshape Maharashtra’s future. Together, with collective effort and a shared
vision, we can drive prosperity and progress for every
citizen of the state."
Shri Devendra
Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Maharashtra honoured as Lokmat Maharashtrian
of the Year 2025 for his enduring commitment to public service and governance. While
speaking at the event, he said,
"Maharashtra's bureaucracy has long been a pillar of strength; however, we
must guard against complacency. Recognizing that other regions also excel, it's
imperative we adopt a competitive spirit, embracing continuous improvement over
self-satisfaction. Our recent budget reflects this ethos, with a 40% increase
in allocations for Adivasi Vikas and Samajik Nyay. Even excluding the Ladki
Bahin fund, there's a substantial 19% rise, underscoring our commitment to
social justice.
We've critically
assessed past expenditures and identified the need for better planning and
resource management, especially for vulnerable sections. This year, we've set
benchmarks to sustain growth and boost our Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
Our capital expenditure plan includes transformative projects like the
Shaktipeeth Road, multimodal corridors, and other iconic initiatives, with land
acquisition costs estimated between ₹40,000 to ₹45,000 crore. These projects
are designed to catalyze economic growth. We're balancing investments in social
sectors and infrastructure to ensure holistic development.
The central
government's provision of ₹1.5 lakh crore in 50-year interest-free loans for
state capital expenditure presents a significant opportunity for us.
Maharashtra is poised to leverage these funds, given our robust infrastructure
development agenda. We've integrated artificial intelligence into our systems,
markedly reducing corruption and promoting transparent governance. Our
unwavering commitment is to ensure that development remains uninterrupted,
overcoming challenges with resilience. Under the visionary leadership of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, we are resolute in our mission to deliver exemplary
progress for all."
Shri Eknath
Shinde, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra highlighted, "Lokmat has always played a significant role in
highlighting stories that inspire and uplift society. As a long-time reader, I
appreciate how Lokmat reaches the grassroots of Maharashtra to recognize and
celebrate deserving individuals. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the
Darda family for honoring those contributing to the state's progress. Having
received a Lokmat award myself before becoming Chief Minister, I understand the
value of this recognition. My best wishes to everyone associated with these
prestigious awards and to all the recipients who continue to make
Maharashtra proud."
Among the special
awardees, Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv, was
honored for his transformative leadership in the business sector, while Kartik
Aaryan was recognized for his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema. Deven
Bharti, Special Commissioner of Mumbai Police, was acknowledged for his
exemplary service in maintaining law and order. Brahmavihari Swami of BAPS
Swaminarayan Sanstha was celebrated for his efforts in fostering international
relations.
Mr. Rishi Darda,
Joint Managing Director & Editorial Director, Lokmat Media Group expressed, "The Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards celebrate the
remarkable individuals who drive positive change and inspire society with their
dedication and vision. This platform honors those who shape Maharashtra’s
future through innovation, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to
excellence. Each awardee’s journey reflects the spirit of progress and the
power of transformative leadership." Mr. Rishi Darda conducted an
exclusive interview with Mr. Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman & Managing Director of
Bajaj Finserv. Their discussion covered Bajaj Finserv’s historic ₹24,000 crore
acquisition of Allianz’s stake in Bajaj Allianz, its impact on the Indian
insurance landscape, and the company’s long-term vision for driving innovation
and financial inclusion.
Mr. Sanjiv Bajaj,
Chairman & Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv received Lokmat Maharashtrian
of the Year 2025 Award for Business. He mentioned,
“This acquisition marks a significant milestone for us. Bajaj Allianz, which
started in 2001 as a joint venture with Allianz, has grown into one of the
finest insurance companies in India over the past two decades. With India’s
financial services and insurance sector presenting immense opportunities, both
partners had the ambition to shape their own future. Given that a company
cannot have two captains steering the same ship, we made the amicable decision
to acquire Allianz’s 26% stake for ₹24,000 crore—the largest check written in
the history of the Indian insurance sector and one of the biggest in the NBFC
space.
This move aligns
with our vision of building world-class companies from India, for India. Today,
we have built a financial services business with a valuation exceeding ₹10 lakh
crore, and it all started from a market cap of just ₹2,000 crore in 2007. If
someone had invested ₹1 crore back then, it would have grown 400 times today.
This growth is a testament to India’s potential, the resilience of our team,
and the power of long-term vision.
Looking ahead,
India presents a once-in-a-lifetime financial opportunity over the next decade.
With rising incomes, increasing insurance penetration, and a rapidly digitizing
economy, the financial services industry is set to expand significantly. In the
next 10 years, India is poised to become one of the world’s largest insurance
markets, driven by a growing middle class, a young and aspirational population,
and a regulatory framework that encourages innovation and expansion. Bajaj
Finserv is committed to playing a key role in this transformation, ensuring
that we provide best-in-class products, leverage cutting-edge technology, and
enhance financial inclusion at scale.
One of the key
drivers of success is a strong work ethic. At Bajaj, we believe in hard work,
discipline, and the power of relentless execution. Our leadership and teams
work beyond the conventional 40-hour week, putting in the time and effort
required to build something truly remarkable. Success is not about clocking in
and out—it’s about dedication, ownership, and the willingness to go the extra
mile.
As we move
forward, our focus remains on innovation, customer-centric solutions, and
leveraging technology to stay ahead in an evolving landscape. We recognize that
success is never the result of just one individual—it takes a strong team, a
clear vision, and relentless execution. For aspiring entrepreneurs, my advice
is to chase ideas that are unique, remain passionate, and build teams that
share the same vision. Challenges are inevitable, but perseverance and the
right mindset create lasting businesses.
This acquisition
is not just about Bajaj Finserv’s expansion—it’s about strengthening India’s
insurance landscape with long-term stability and
innovation at its core. "
Bollywood Actor
Kartik Aaryan was honored with the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year 2025 award
in the Actor category. He said, "I
am truly honored to receive the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year 2025 award.
This is a proud moment for me and my family. While I hail from Gwalior, Mumbai
has been my karmabhoomi—this city has given me my name, fame, home and
everything I have today. Since childhood, my dream was to become an actor and
come to Mumbai, and that decision became the turning point of my life. As the
Bhagavad Gita says, one should focus on their work without worrying about the
results. Awards like the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year are a testament to
that belief, and I will continue to dedicate
myself to my craft."
The ceremony
highlighted the achievements of these individuals who have not only excelled in
their respective fields but have also contributed to the betterment of society.
Their stories of dedication and innovation continue to inspire and serve as a
testament to the spirit of Maharashtra.
The Lokmat
Maharashtrian of the Year Awards remain a symbol of excellence and a platform
to honor those whose work continues to shape the socio-economic and cultural
fabric of Maharashtra.
About Lokmat Media Group:
Lokmat Media Pvt. Ltd. is a leading multimedia platform media
company with interests in a diversified portfolio of publishing, broadcast,
digital, entertainment, community, and sports verticals. It has an employee
strength of more than 3,000 and has a pan-India network of offices.
Lokmat Media Group publishes India's No1 Marathi daily Lokmat,
Lokmat Samachar, and Lokmat Times with a combined readership of 2.56 cr
(source: All India, Total readership, IRS 2019, Q4)
Keeping abreast with the changing digital landscape, Lokmat Group
makes its content available for its readers through its multilingual news
portals and mobile news app.
Lokmat entered the TV space in 2008 and it co-owns a 24-hour news
and current affairs channel ‘News18 Lokmat’ (earlier IBN Lokmat), through a JV
with the Network18 Group.
Lokmat’s experiential marketing division – Taplight organizes
various annual properties like ‘Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year’, ‘Lokmat Most
Stylish’, ‘Lokmat Women Summit’ etc. which are the benchmarks in their
respective categories. It also provides comprehensive 360-degree marketing
solutions to clients including ‘Below The Line’ promotions and client-led
activations. It is the largest event management company in Maharashtra in terms
of the number of events held. This division also runs various community forums
focused on Women, Youth, and Children.
For further information on
Lokmat Media:
Veena Bhate | Lokmat Media
Group
9082966810 | veena.bhate@lokmat.com
Sonia Kulkarni | Hunk
Golden and Media |
9820184099 | sonia.kulkarni@hunkgolden.in