UCCI Foundation Day and Excellence Awards Ceremony 2026 Concluded

Udaipur: “Self-awareness and clarity of purpose are essential for leadership and excellence. Real transformation comes ‘from within,’ and the aim of coaching is to awaken individuals to their own potential. In organizational change, priority must be given to work culture, communication, and employee participation. Emotional intelligence is the foundation of effective leadership.”
These views were expressed by Mr. Udaykumar Gopalakrishnan at UCCI.
The 61st Foundation Day Celebration of the Udaipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) and the UCCI Excellence Awards Ceremony 2026 were grandly organized at the P.P. Singhal Auditorium, UCCI Building. More than 200 participants, including prominent entrepreneurs and members from industry, trade, and the service sector, attended the event.
The program commenced with a welcome address by UCCI President Mr. Manish Galundia, who highlighted UCCI’s role, objectives, and ongoing efforts toward the holistic development of industry and trade. Former President Mr. Vinod Kumat briefly introduced the Chief Guest.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Udaykumar Gopalakrishnan, Founder and CEO of Core Mind, delivered an inspiring address. He emphasized that the mantra of excellence and successful leadership lies in positive thinking, continuous learning, and the ability to embrace change. In today’s environment, innovation, leadership capability, and mental resilience are key to long-term success for both individuals and organizations.
Key Perspectives Shared by Udaykumar Gopalakrishnan:
•    Leadership and Self-Awareness: Leadership is not merely about external skills or technical expertise but about deep self-awareness and self-management. An effective leader understands their thoughts, emotions, and limitations before inspiring others. True leadership strength comes from being aligned with one’s values and purpose.
•    Core Mind Philosophy: Core Mind is founded on the belief that every individual possesses core mental resources—patience, purpose, emotional balance, and self-confidence. Activating these inner strengths initiates real transformation. External strategies succeed only when the inner mindset is prepared.
•    Coaching and Development: Coaching is not just a problem-solving tool but a process of unlocking potential. Its goal is not to provide answers but to ask the right questions so individuals can discover their own solutions. Reflection and self-analysis are central to effective coaching.
•    Organizational Development and Change Management: Organizational change is not merely technical or procedural but also psychological and cultural. Active employee participation, communication, and trust-building are essential for sustainable transformation.
•    Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence—self-control, empathy, and relationship-building—is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Beyond technical skills, it is emotional intelligence that unites and motivates teams.
•    Learning and Adaptability: Learning is a continuous process. Experimentation and short improvement cycles help organizations learn quickly from failures. Failure is not an obstacle but an opportunity to grow.
•    Career and Life Balance: Professional success is meaningful only when aligned with personal fulfillment and mental well-being. Self-care, rest, and renewal are crucial for sustained performance and long-term success.
Encouraging entrepreneurs, Mr. Gopalakrishnan stated that failures are stepping stones to success, requiring patience, confidence, and clear vision. He urged youth and MSME entrepreneurs to move forward with technology adoption, skill development, and a global outlook.
He praised UCCI as a strong bridge between industry, trade, and society, guiding local industries and inspiring them to become nationally and internationally competitive.
During an interactive session, participants asked questions related to entrepreneurship and management, which Mr. Gopalakrishnan addressed comprehensively. His inspiring insights were warmly received with applause.
UCCI Excellence Awards 2026
UCCI Awards Sub-Committee Chairman Mr. Manish Godha provided an overview of the award selection process. Applications were audited by independent auditors, shortlisted entries were evaluated through site visits by UCCI member teams, and a six-member jury panel assessed them using a matrix-based system. The jury included former Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Rajasthan Mr. Shailendra Agarwal, IIM Director Prof. Ashok Banerjee, BGJC Consulting Founder Mr. Salil Bhandari, Seva Mandir CEO Mr. Raunak Shah, Chief Advisor and Director of Wolkem India Ltd. Mr. S.K. Mahajan, and former SBI Managing Director Mr. Arijit Basu.
The winners announced during the ceremony were:
•    Vedanta Hindustan Zinc CSR Award: Aditya Cement Works
•    Pyrotech Temposens Manufacturing Award – Large Enterprise: Temposens Instruments (India) Ltd.
•    Archgate Manufacturing Award – Medium Enterprise: Sun Polytex Pvt. Ltd.
•    Singhal Foundation Manufacturing Award – Small Enterprise: Wabi Sabi Surface Pvt. Ltd.
•    Wonder Cement Manufacturing Award – Micro Enterprise: House of Fragrance
•    G.R. Agrawal Services Award – Medium Enterprise: Semantics Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd.
•    Dr. Ajay Murdia Indira IVF Services Award – Small Enterprise: Celes Medicare Pvt. Ltd.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to several runner-up companies.
On this occasion, former UCCI President and Director of the Pyrotech-Temposens Group, Mr. Virendra Prakash Rathi, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing contribution. Expressing gratitude, he shared his professional experiences and emphasized the importance of positive thinking, innovation, and leadership.
The Chief Guest also released UCCI’s eight-month activity report. UCCI Patron Mr. B.H. Bapna shared his motivational thoughts.
Approximately 200 entrepreneurs, businesspersons, managers, and officials from various industries attended the ceremony. The event was compered by Dr. Sakshi Jain, and Honorary Secretary General Mr. Ashish Chhabra delivered the vote of thanks.