GCCI and WPU Goa Confer Gomant Gaurav Sanman on Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar at Goa 2037 Conclave

BusinessWire India

Panaji (Goa) [India], April 17: The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in collaboration with WPU Goa, conferred the prestigious 'Gomant Gaurav Sanman' upon eminent scientist Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar at a grand ceremony held at Kala Academy on April 16, 2026. The award was presented by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa, who also announced the establishment of WPU Goa University in the state.

A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Chancellor - Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and former Director General, CSIR, Dr. Mashelkar was honoured for his extraordinary contributions to science, innovation, and nation-building, as well as for being a distinguished 'Son of Goa' whose journey continues to inspire generations.

The ceremony was graced by Mr. Mauvin Godinho, Hon'ble Minister for Transport & Industries, Government of Goa, along with Prof. Dr. Walter Leal Filho, Vice Chancellor, MIT WPU Goa and Professor at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany; Dr. Vijayan Karippal, Registrar, MIT WPU Goa; and Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI, among other distinguished dignitaries.

Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa, said, "I congratulate Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar on behalf of all Goans. He has brought immense pride to the state, and his journey from humble beginnings to global scientific leadership is truly inspiring. Inspired by his vision, we are working on innovative initiatives such as affordable diagnostic solutions through the Directorate of Health Services.

We are actively building a strong triple helix model of collaboration between government, industry, and academia, which is essential for sustainable development. Our commitment to science and technology is reflected in our budgetary priorities, with focused allocations for innovation, research, and digital infrastructure. These are investments in Goa's intellectual capital, preparing our youth for emerging sectors."

"I am also pleased to announce that WPU Goa will commence its academic session this year. We remain committed to transforming Goa into a hub of knowledge, innovation, and inclusive growth," Sawant added.

Mr. Mauvin Godinho, Hon'ble Minister for Transport & Industries, Government of Goa, said, "Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar's vision of using science and innovation for the benefit of society, especially the common man, is truly inspiring, and it is a matter of great pride for Goa to honour one of its most distinguished sons."

On receiving the honour, Dr. Mashelkar said, "I dedicate this honour to my mother, not only because she gave birth to me, but because she shaped my entire journey. Coming from a very poor background, every day was a struggle, but she made a resolve that her son would achieve the highest education possible. Whatever I am today is because of her values and determination. She always reminded me never to forget our beginnings and to do science for the poor. That has been the guiding principle of my life's work, and I remain committed to using science and innovation for the benefit of the poorest of the poor."

Mrs. Pratima Dhond, President, GCCI, in her welcome address, said, "A future where economic progress aligns with environmental stewardship, innovation is inclusive, and youth are empowered, this conclave is a step forward, and today's felicitation of Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar reminds us that with vision and collaboration, such a future is within reach."

Dr. Rahul Karad, Executive President, WPU Goa, stated: "Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar is not only a towering figure in science but someone who has ignited thousands of minds across the country through his vision and contributions. For Goa, his journey is deeply inspiring. We believe Goa has the potential to go beyond tourism and emerge as a hub of knowledge and innovation. Through the vision of WPU Goa, we are committed to building a collaborative, future-ready education ecosystem that contributes to solving real-world challenges."

The award ceremony was a highlight of the 'Goa 2037: Knowledge, Industry & Sustainability Conclave,' a strategic initiative aimed at aligning Goa's long-term development vision with the national goal of Viksit Bharat@2047. The conclave brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, and thought leaders to deliberate on shaping a future-ready Goa.

Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI shared the legacy of the GCCI he said, "The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has evolved from a traditional advisory body into a proactive driver of a modern, tech-led economy. It has played a key role in shaping Goa's future through a forward-looking vision focused on sustainable and inclusive growth. Through initiatives supporting MSMEs, startups, and women entrepreneurs, along with strengthening industry-academia collaboration, GCCI is fostering innovation and employability. With a strong focus on ease of doing business and future-ready skills, the Chamber is committed to building a globally competitive Goa while ensuring that economic progress is aligned with values, harmony, and long-term societal well-being."

The conclave featured two pivotal panel discussions. The first, 'Reimagining Goa's Future: Industrial Growth with Ecological Balance,' brought together Mr. Pravimal Abhishek (IAS), Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Goa and Managing Director, Goa Industrial Development Corporation; Prof. Abhishek Ranjan, Global Sustainability and CSR Leader and Chairman, ASSOCHAM Karnataka (CSR & Sustainability); Mr. Anirudh Dempo, Director, Goa Paints and Allied Products Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Rajkumar Kamat, Managing Director, EP Bio Composites Ltd.; and Mr. Manguirish Pai Raiker, Former Chair, MSME National Council and Past President, GCCI. Moderated by Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI, the session underscored sustainable growth guided by the "more from less for more" philosophy, highlighting the need to maximize limited land through green industries, R&D, and vertical expansion, while advocating balanced development, measurable sustainability goals, and a shift towards impact-driven, collaborative approaches.

The second session, 'Goa as a Global Knowledge Hub: Transdisciplinary Education & Industry-Academia Synergy,' featured Mr. Prasad Lolyenkar (IAS), Secretary - Education, Government of Goa; Dr. Sandeep Sancheti, Vice President - Research Relations & Academic Affairs, Elsevier (India) and former Vice Chancellor, SRM Institute of Science and Technology; Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan, Former Chairman, Executive Committee, NAAC and National Research Professor - Ayush; Mr. Yatin Kakodkar, Director, Apex Packing Products Pvt. Ltd. and Vice President, GCCI; Dr. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, Goa; and Dr. Bhushan V. Bhave, Principal, Vidya Prabodhini College. Moderated by Prof. Walter Leal Filho, Vice Chancellor, MIT-WPU Goa and Professor at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany, the discussion emphasized strengthening academia-industry collaboration to drive innovation and employability, with a focus on skill development, practical learning, curriculum reform, and leveraging Goa's strengths in research, tourism, and integrative health to build a globally competitive knowledge ecosystem.

These sessions fostered meaningful dialogue on positioning Goa as a model state that harmonises economic growth with environmental sustainability, while also strengthening industry-academia collaboration to build a globally competitive knowledge ecosystem.

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