Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: “The Marathwada Gaurav Award, presented by the Lokmat Group of Newspapers to distinguished personalities doing remarkable work in their respective fields, encourages their positive contributions,” said Rajendra Darda, Editor-in-Chief of Lokmat Group of Newspapers and former Industries Minister.
He was speaking at the Marathwada Gaurav 2026 award ceremony organised by Lokmat Media Group at Hyatt Palace, opposite Chikalthana Airport, on Tuesday evening.
Distinguished personalities doing notable work across various fields were honoured with the Marathwada Gaurav Award-2026, presented by Rajendra Darda and MGM University Vice-Chancellor Dr Vilas Sapkal.
Present on the dais were Lokmat Editor Nandkishor Patil, Lokmat Samachar Editor Amitabh Shrivastava, Lokmat Times Executive Editor Yogesh Gole and Lokmat Assistant Editor Gajanan Diwan.
Rajendra Darda said that Lokmat's founder Jawaharlal Darda 'Babuji', served twice as Industries Minister in the State.
“Babuji (Jawaharlal Darda) had laid a water pipeline from Paithan to Waluj MIDC. During my tenure as Industries Minister, I was able to acquire 10,000 acres of land for the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor and today major industries like Toyota, JSW and Ather Energy have established themselves there,” he asserted.
He affirmed that Babuji used to say that negative and bad news tends to attract more attention in society.
“Reporting bad news is not wrong, but if one only writes in opposition, the spirit of achievement will diminish. To prevent that, those doing good work must be felicitated. Lokmat has honoured distinguished individuals doing positive work in society and encouraged their efforts. I personally know 80 per cent of the awardees being honoured today,” he mentioned.
The programme began with a Ganesh Vandana performance by students of Ketaki Nevpurkar. This was followed by lamp-lighting and a floral tribute to the portrait of senior freedom fighter Jawaharlal Darda by the dignitaries.
Earlier, the welcome speech was delivered by Lokmat Editor Nandkishor Patil. Advertisement Manager Akshay Sahuji proposed a vote of thanks.
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Such events bring together knowledge from different fields
"I have been associated with the Lokmat Group since Nagpur. Lokmat has selected and awarded those who have done distinguished work in every field. Innovation and contribution in every sector are important. Such events bring together knowledge from different fields. Congratulations to Rajendra Darda and the Lokmat team for this ceremony."
(Dr Vilas Sapkal, VC, MGM University)
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Over 2 Cr patients took treatment in Cancer Hospital
"The award I received today is an honour for Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Lokmat has given voice to injustice. Thanks to the efforts of Rajendra Babu, the Government Cancer Hospital of the city has treated more than two crore patients to date. A total of 99 per cent of patients receive treatment here itself, only one per cent go to Tata Hospital. We have made GMCH paperless and free of garbage."
(Dr Shivaji Sukre, Dean, GMCH)