FKCCI Confers Sir M. Visvesvaraya Award 2026 on Geethanjali Vikram Kirloskar
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಗೆ ಕೊಡುಗೆ: ಗೀತಾಂಜಲಿ ವಿಕ್ರಮ್ ಕಿರ್ಲೋಸ್ಕರ್ ಅವರಿಗೆ FKCCIಯ ‘ಸರ್ ಎಂ. ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ 2026’
Recognition highlights contribution to Karnataka’s economic development, while Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh calls for stronger industry, innovation and women’s participation
Visvesvaraya’s values remain relevant to industry
The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) conferred the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Award 2026 on Geethanjali Vikram Kirloskar in recognition of her contribution to the economic development of Karnataka.
The award was presented at a special ceremony at the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Auditorium, FKCCI, in the presence of Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka. FKCCI President Uma Reddy, President-Elect T. Sairam Prasad, Senior Vice-President-Elect B.P. Shashidhar, Immediate Past President M.G. Balakrishna, and Past President and Chairman of the Sir M.V. Jury Committee K. Lakshman participated in the ceremony.
Members of Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s family, representatives of Toyota Kirloskar Industries, Consul Generals, industry leaders, past presidents, managing committee members and FKCCI members were also present.
Instituted in honour of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, the award recognises contributions reflecting his legacy of engineering, nation-building, industrialisation and economic development. Founded in May 1916, FKCCI has maintained a longstanding association with promoting these ideals and advancing the interests of Karnataka’s trade, industry and services sectors.
Shalini Rajneesh stresses ethics, women’s participation
Speaking at the event, Uma Reddy said the award represented more than individual achievement and recognised the spirit of enterprise, innovation and service to society associated with Sir M. Visvesvaraya. She also underlined the importance of recognising contributions that strengthen Karnataka’s industrial and economic ecosystem.
Dr. Shalini Rajneesh recalled Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s achievements and enduring legacy, stressing that knowledge, innovation and enterprise must be supported by ethical values. She said his principles continued to have relevance for the business and industrial community.
On women’s empowerment and gender parity, she referred to an IMF study indicating that greater gender parity in labour force participation could potentially raise India’s GDP by 27 per cent. She called for more opportunities for women to enter and contribute to the workforce.
Rajneesh also outlined the Karnataka Government’s vision, under the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, to raise the State’s export potential to $20 billion. Engineering goods account for an estimated $9.2 billion of this potential, alongside sectors such as electronics and semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food processing, marine products, chemicals and allied industries.
Industry-academia alignment flagged as key concern
Rajneesh emphasised the need to strengthen manufacturing and industry to support Karnataka’s economic growth and competitiveness. Referring to the reported vacancy of nearly 30 per cent of engineering seats, she said it was necessary to examine whether courses and subjects offered by educational institutions were aligned with changing industry requirements.
Accepting the award, Geethanjali Vikram Kirloskar thanked FKCCI and said she received the recognition with humility. She reiterated her commitment to industry and to the vision of Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
The ceremony brought together representatives from industry, trade, business and professional organisations. FKCCI said it would continue recognising contributions to Karnataka and the nation while working to promote the State as a destination for enterprise, investment, innovation and sustainable economic development.
