Times Business Awards Kolkata 2021: Recognizing brands & celebrating their excellence in the business world

Times Business Awards 2021 is an initiative done by The Times Group to recognise and honour the trailblazers from Kolkata and celebrate the essence of their excellence. It was a grand event when the business community gathered to celebrate entrepreneurial excellence. Other dignitaries from different walks of life joined in to cheer the entrepreneurs who shone during these trying times in their respective fields.The chief guest of the function, Anupam Kher, said: “It’s lovely to be back in the City of Joy.”
(L to R - Lamp lighting ceremony by Subrata Chakraborty, Bratya Basu, Koel Mallick, Nusrat Jahan, Praveen Srivastava, Jacques Bartz)
Times Business Awards 2021: Winner List
Times Best manufacturer of Structural Tubes - Tata StructuraTimes Leading Cement Brand - Ambuja CementTimes Best management school - IIM, KolkataTimes Leading Surface Disinfectant Spray – SavlonTimes Best Cardiac & Multi-Speciality Hospital - Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (A Unit of Narayana Health)Times Best Retail Eyewear Chain - GKB OpticalsTimes Leading Manufacturer - Cakes & Biscuits - Sona Biscuits Ltd (Sobisco)Times Eminent Author of the Year - Sabarna RoyTimes Leading Organized Value Retail Chain - Citylife NextTimes Leading Small Finance Bank, East - AU Small Finance bankTimes Leading Gym & Fitness Centre - Starmark Fitness StudioTimes Enterprising CEO in Healthcare Industry - Ms Musrefa Hossain - CEO, GD Hospital & Diabetes InstituteTimes Healthcare Startup - Women & Childcare - M F C Women & Child CareTimes Leading Traditional & Prestigious cosmetic brand for three generations - Pradip Chemical Works India Pvt. Ltd.Times College of the Year - Shri Shikshayatan CollegeTimes Pioneer in Budgeted Homes - Sugam HomesTimes Leading Interior Designer - J&S InteriorTimes Leading Nutrition Consultant - Rupashree Parbak Chakraborty - Diet ForeverTimes Leading Mobile Store - Bhajanlal Commercial Pvt. LtdTimes Leading Global Tax & Legal Advisory - Taxmantra GlobalTimes Leading Overseas Education Consultant - Blue Sky Educational Services Pvt. Ltd.Times Leading Modular Kitchen & Wardrobe – IntrolinkTimes Best Girls' School in South Kolkata - The BSS SchoolTimes Leading Engineering College - Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM), KolkataTimes Engineering College, Rank 3 in Kolkata - University of Engineering & Management (UEM), KolkataTimes Engineering College, Rank 1 in Jaipur - University of Engineering & Management (UEM), JaipurTimes leading innovative company - Amar Uddan (An Initiative by Rajib Banerjee)Times Leading Kids' Playzone - Whooppee Indoor Amusement ParkTimes Leading institute (App based education consultants & academic advisers) – InfinityTimes Leading Beauty Salon - Shree's Hair & Beauty SalonTimes Leading Astrologer - Dr Sohini SastriTimes Leading Manufacturer & Trader – Furniture - Puspa FurnitureTimes Leading Online & Offline Medicine Supply & Service - Sasta ArogyaTimes Young Business Leader - Anirban Aditya – Chairman, Aditya GroupTimes Leading BFSI Financial Product - Peerless Financial Products Distribution LtdTimes Leading Education Group - Techno India Group (A Satyam Roychowdhury Initiative)Times Promising Brand in steel & cement - Rashmi Group
Times Business Awards 2021: Winner’s Introduction
Sabarna Roy
Sabarna Roy is a trained Civil Engineer and is presently working as Senior Vice President with Electrosteel Group. He is an author of critically acclaimed bestselling literary fiction of six published books – Pentacles, Frosted Glass, Abyss, Winter Poems, Random Subterranean Mosaic: 2012 – 2018, and Etchings of the First Quarter of 2020 and his 7th book - Fractured Mosaic, will hit the markets in February 2021. He is a Goodreads author and has been covered by all prestigious national and international media, including The New York Guardian, Nigeria Tribune, Kathmandu Tribune, Financial Nigeria and The Guardian Post. He was awarded the Literoma Laureate Award in 2019, Literoma Star Achiever Award 2020, Random Subterranean Mosaic: 2012 – 2018 won the best book of the year 2019, the A-List Award for excellence in fiction by the NewsX Media House, Certificate for The Real Super Heroes for spreading a spirit of positivity and hope during the COVID-19 Pandemic from Forever Star India Award 2020, and the Certificate for Participation in the Indo Russian Friendship Celebration 2020, and the Literoma Golden Star Award 2020: Lifetime Achievement.
Techno India Group (A Satyam Roychowdhury Initiative)
Techno India Group, being the largest academic conglomerate of Eastern India, delivering quality education in Engineering, Science & Technology and Management Studies for more than thirty-five years. The comprehensive, structured and state-of-the-art curriculum makes their students ready for all challenges of life. The Group’s newest offering is Sister Nivedita University (SNU), a dream-child of Chancellor Mr Satyam Roychowdhury, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Techno India Group, came into existence in 2017. SNU offers programs and research in Engineering and Technology, Science, Medicine, Management, Law, Humanities, Language and Literature, Pharmacy, Architecture, Social Sciences, Education, Performing Arts, Sports, Media, Design, etc.
Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd (PFPDL)
Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd (PFPDL) - is a 100% subsidiary of The Peerless General Finance & Investment Company Ltd. Since 2006, this company diversified into the Financial Product Distribution business and entails a distribution network with various financial product companies and is spread across 25 states and four union territories. Under the leadership of Mr Jayanta Roy, MDnCEO, PFPDL have grown the fundamentally strong business on the strength of their diversified financial products and aggressive digitalisation of processes. They are emerging as an advantageous option for every Indian for “Securing their Families Financially.”
AU Small Finance Bank
AU Small Finance Bank Limited (AU Bank) is a scheduled commercial bank and a Fortune India 500 Company. With 25 years legacy of being a retail-focused and customer-centric institution, the company started its banking operation in April 2017. The same year it came out with a successful IPO that was oversubscribed 54X and the Bank got listed on the stock exchanges. As of Dec. 2020, the bank has established operations across 728 Banking Touchpoints serving 18.8 Lakh customers in 15 states & 2 Union Territories with a talent base of almost 19,000 employees. It has built a solid net worth of Rs. 5400 Cr.+, robust deposit base of almost Rs. 29,700 Cr.+ and a strong lending base of Rs. 33,222 Cr. It has consistently maintained a high external credit rating from all major rating agencies like CRISIL, ICRA and India Ratings.
GKB Opticals

GKB Opticals is the most prominent name in the optical retail business with experience of over 66 years. The GKB Opticals Group has served over 1 million customers and has 60 International and Indian brands on offer. Started by the visionary in the field of optical business, Mr BK Gupta, the company has risen to great heights under his vision and guidance. Today, the company has 73 outlets in all major and minor cities. GKB today boasts of world-class frames and sunglasses and are partners with some of the best frames and sunglass manufacturers
Starmark Fitness Studio
Starmark Fitness Studio is a 15,000 sq. ft. multi-gym with luxurious fitness training and facilities, located in Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata. In a very short while, the fitness studio has become the favourite for a lot of high-profile members including some Bengali film and television actors. The list of workouts includes weight loss/gain workouts, CrossFit workouts, strength training, Zumba workouts, Kettlebell and TRX workouts, weightlifting, powerlifting, yoga, cardio workouts, and Spinning Studio. Their facilities include a lavish and large cafeteria, free and secure car parking, personal lockers, professional massage therapy, separate steam room, shower room, and changing room for men and women, centralized AC, certified fitness trainers, imported gym equipment, and more. Starmark has also implemented smart technologies in the gym that automates the admission process, fee payment, gym monitoring, and theft alert.
Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (A Unit of Narayana Health)
Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS), also popularly known as RN Tagore Hospital, Kolkata, is a 681-bedded NABH-accredited multi-super speciality quaternary care hospital established in the year 2000. RTIICS has 15 fully-equipped operation theatres and three state-of-the-art catheterisation laboratories with a 24-hour emergency facility. It provides services to the people of West Bengal and the neighbouring states in Eastern India and North-Eastern India. RTIICS is a global healthcare hub catering to patients from countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal as well as African countries. The hospital offers services in over 40 clinical specialities for acute and chronic ailments.
Musrefa Hossain
Ms Musrefa Hossain joined GD Hospital and Diabetes Institute, Kolkata as chief Executive Officer in 2010. Under her leadership, GD Hospital and Diabetes Institute ranked no. 9 in the Times Nielson Survey in India in 2016. In 2018 she was awarded by the world health and wellness Congress as the Best Healthcare Entrepreneur of the year in Mumbai. She invests much time in social enterprises focused on women, children and youth upliftment and empowerment.
Rupashree Chakraborty
Diet forever was established on 19th March 2018 by Rupashree Chakraborty, who came up with the idea after gradually realising the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Initially, she started off with only 2 clients but now serves over 2000 clients globally varying from homemakers, celebrities, Frontline workers and lawyers/advocates. In the coming years, Rupashree wants to continue with her passion by focusing on clean eating & healthy food. She owes her success to her father and her best friend who has been her strongest support.
MFC Women & Child Care
MFC Woman and Child Care, the brainchild of Dr Shiuli Mukherjee is among the premier healthcare providers in Kolkata. Though the name evokes for woman and child care it not only includes NICU and Maternity services but dedicated to ICU, Cardiology, Trauma care, Neurology, and all other services. With state-of-the-art equipment and technology, we are primed to deliver the flavour of multi-speciality treatment to all strata of common people especially for them who belong to lower socio-economic group.
Sugam Homes
The joy of creating homes out of houses has captured Sugam Group for 35 years, in all its grand beauty. Weaving spaces with sheer imagination, with the foresight to build abodes that feel like home even 20 years in the future. Sugam Group – led by a stellar team of dedicated workers - have touched thousands of lives. They are a harbinger of happy communities living their fullest lives. With 3.5 decades of experience in the development of 25 completed projects and 3million sq. ft., Sugam Group enjoys the trust of its 7,000 residents, and continues to convert homes into memories, and memories into contentment. Renowned for projects like Sugam Habitat, Sugam Serenity, SugamSudhir, Sugam Park (Narendrapur). Sugam Group believes in the celebration of togetherness.
J&S Interiors
As partners Jiten Jaiswal &Sanjib Saha started to work together, ideas began to flow and a unique style was conceived leading to the birth of J & S Interiors in July 2011. Since then, the Kolkata based interior design firm has created a significant mark in the field of designing and executing star hotels, resorts, corporate offices and residential spaces. Their primary ambition is to find understated luxury in each environment and bring it to life with a design that balances minimalism and eclecticism. J &S advocates sustainable interiors with locally sourced natural materials, working mainly with earthy and neutral tones with colourful accents. Their design is inspired by nature and is created with unmatched passion, inspiration and uniqueness.
Sona Biscuits Ltd. (Sobisco)
In the year 1967, Shri Kailash Chand Agarwal, Chairman of Sona Biscuits Ltd (Sobisco), set up a small handmade biscuit factory. Thereafter, depending on the experience he had gathered and put in tireless and sincere efforts and then again with support and supervision from his following generations, he went on to make and establish Sobisco Biscuits & Cakes as a renowned company of India. Today, Sobisco biscuit is a reputed name among consumers, who have heartily accepted and appreciated it. In the year 2020, the sale of Sobisco products has increased by 70% in the case of biscuit and 150% in the case of cake. Kailash Chand Agarwal, Chairman of the company, says, “Earning profit is not the only motive of our company. Our sole aim is to offer all people high quality, wholesome biscuits and cakes at reasonable prices.”
Dr Sohini Sastri
Dr Sohini Sastri, a doctorate in astrology, is considered the leading astrologer in India. She specializes in KrishnamurtiPaddhati Aka KP astrology or KP system, palmistry, numerology, Vastu sastra, tantra and colour therapy. With this profound knowledge, her accurate prediction has always helped her clients and She is the most preferred astrologer in Bollywood. She is also a certified gemologist and guides her clients on identifying genuine gemstones and rudraksha.
Pradeep Chemical Works India Pvt Ltd (Khukumoni)
For more than 50 Glorious years, Khukumani Brand is in the market with good quality Alta, Sindur& other cosmetic products which are preferred by huge customers not only in West Bengal but outside this state too. Now Their 3rd Generation is carrying this rich legacy - Mr Pradip Roychowdhury& Mrs Soma Roychowdhury and their son Mr AritraRoychowdhury who is also one of the Executive directors of Pradip Chemical Works. Today the Company is facing a tough challenge from the fake products which are in the market. It is the result of gaining popularity & trustworthy of Khukumoni Brand which is preferred by customers.
Anirban Aditya
Aditya Group under the guidance of Mr Anirban Aditya, the chairman, successfully runs a group of English medium CBSE schools spread across 6 different campuses across West Bengal. His concept and vision of EduSports – combining Education and Sports, strategic tie-ups with Khelo India, NBA Basketball School India, LA LIGA Football School India and a few others making the 33acre Barasat Campus a Multi Sports Facility. Along with making a mark in Education, sports, real estate, media & entertainment, the Group is also growing in the Hospitality sector. The brand "Noodle Oodle" which was brought to life in 2016, is expanding to a QSR model in every part of the city this year.
Blue Sky Educational Services Pvt Ltd
Although several overseas education consultants are sprawled across the region, there is one name that is steadily rising through the ranks and consistently making the study abroad dreams of students a reality - Blue Sky Educational Services Pvt. Ltd. Over thousands of students and their respective parents counselled in the last decade have continually testified to the excellent guidance, outstanding counselling and ‘right on the mark’ approach to understanding the overall needs of the students. In 2010, Blue Sky was founded by Ms Mahasweta Banerjee, a passionate educator, training students for IELTS, SAT, GRE, Communication, Personality Development and Interview skills. By 2015, Blue Sky started functioning as a Study Abroad Consultancy working with global universities and collaborating with the British Council as their IELTS Registration Partner. Today, Blue Sky also provides Psychometric Tests, assists with foreign University/College selection, applications, SOP editing, educational loans, forex guidance, Visa filings and even accommodation options. Even when abroad, students will always find Blue Sky a phone call away.
SastaArogya (KBS Corporates Pvt.Ltd.)
SastaArogya (KBS Corporates Pvt. Ltd.) under the guidance of SK Ashadul Islam, the MD, is the first one who has introduced free home delivery medicines in the present market with huge discount. They are providing a 30% discount in pathology and discount on ambulance services and also 1 lac accidental insurance to their beneficiaries and cardholders. They have further plans to fulfil the patients’ other essential need & expectations in future. SastaArogya has become a name to reckon with for many.
Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM)
Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM), a premier educational institute having 31 years of rich heritage, is the first self-financed institute of West Bengal. It was established by Prof.Dr.SatyajitChakrabarti. All eligible engineering departments are NBA accredited, and it is graded ‘A’ by NAAC. IEM offers 5 country Study Abroad program as well to its students. Their students also perform brilliantly in GATE, CAT, GRE etc. The highest package of 2019 was 34.97 LPA on LinkedIn. IEM has been awarded as a GOLD category college by the International Ranking QS I∙GAUGE in 2020.
University of Engineering & Management
UEM Kolkata & Jaipur are one of the leading Private Engineering Institutes in North & East India. UEM-Kolkata has provided its students with more than 800 job offers with the highest package of 40 LPA. They are a partner institution in the EU-sponsored project FRACTION and is included under the flagship program ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’ by the Govt. of India. UEM-Jaipur is known for its excellent placement record where the highest salary in 2020 is Rs 72 LPA. UEM-J is the recipient of QS I-Gauge GOLD with Diamond rating in Placements, certified topmost institute of Rajasthan by NPTEL, MHRD, Govt. of India and ranked 3rd best institute of Rajasthan by Institute Innovation Council, MHRD, Govt. of INDIA. More than 35 start-ups and 25 patent filings have been done by the University’s Entrepreneurship, Incubation and Innovation Cell.
Rashmi Group
Rashmi Group is a leading conglomerate of the Eastern part of India. It is an Integrated Steel Plant located in the state of West Bengal and enjoys proximity to East Indian port, Iron ore mines and Coal mines. It has its own railway sidings, GPIS rates and fleet of trailers. It has a varied product basket viz Pellet, Sponge Iron, DI Pipe, Billet, TMT, Wire Rod, Cement and Ferro Alloys. Driven by professional management, the company has huge expansion plans in the pipeline.
Puspa Furniture
Puspa furniture is a well-known furniture manufacturer brand in India and gaining momentum rapidly. Constant R&D on products combined with effective teamwork with skilled engineers and workers is helping the brand to gain customer satisfaction and reaching new heights. The products are attractive, well designed, durable, user friendly and value for money. The company is also doing interior furniture and decoration including modular kitchen. Mr Jagat Saha is the MD of the company.
Bhajanlal Commercial Pvt. Ltd.
Mohan Bajoria, Director of Bhajanlal Commercial Pvt. Ltd. receiving the award from KoelMallick. Offering products ranging from mobile accessories to the best of mobile brands, music and sound systems, TVs, gaming consoles etc., Bhajanlal caters to a large customer base through its multi-brand Outlets and exclusive stores across Kolkata, Guwahati, and Krishnanagar.
Taxmantra Global (TMG)
Taxmantra Global is a bespoke, digital-first global consultancy firm providing advisory, tax and regulatory services in India, Singapore and the US. Founded in 1983, the group was revamped as Taxmantra Global (TMG) group in the year 2010 into a digital-first tax and regulatory firm with the motto to offer top-notch advisory, tax and regulatory services to global businesses.
Jashoshree Rahman
Jashoshree Rahman started Shree’s Hair & Beauty Salon in Ballygunge in 2006 with four Knowledge workers and today She has two outlets one in cornfield road and the other at Prince Anwar Shah Road. She has done courses from the celebrated Toni & Guy, Singapore and from Mark Creed and Aesthetic Studies from Woman’s World under Mrs Shahnaz Hussain. She has received Times Power Woman 2019 and Times Style Icon Award 2019, best Salon Award from Lotus Professional in Moscow, to mention a few. Shree’s Hair and Beauty Salon with their state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities are all set to give you a wonderful make-over in all seasons - each offering clients personalised services.
Amar Uddan (An Initiative by Rajib Banerjee)
The innovative ideas of Mr Rajib Banerjee at Amaruddan has helped the youth to regain hope in this pandemic by maintaining a balance between labour intensive versus capital intensive production. The company is giving more focus on human skills rather than machines and thus bringing essential products in the market maintaining covid protocols and creating more job opportunities in the area.
The BSS School
The BSS School has made a huge leap in the field of education for girls making them enabled for the global world. Balancing a tight rope walk of culture on one side and modern methodologies and practices on the other, the school has grown from strength to strength in the last 70 years, staying firm in its motto of “Commitment to Excellence”. Right from Academics to giving the girls a firm base in confidence and ethics by honing their talents in their respective areas of specialization, the school bends itself backwards to make everything possible for them. With a wide array of Extra-curricular activities blended with counselling and training of students in every sphere of life, The BSS School gives the students adaptable wings to be able to accommodate themselves in whichever sphere they need to fit in. In keeping with this spirit, the school has always invested in the latest infrastructural up-gradation and can boast to be a pioneer in most of the schemes for students.
Shri Shikshayatan College (SSC)
G.K.Khaitan, president Shri Shikshayatan College says, “Empowerment of women is essential for the progress of society - what better way than educating her.” This objective is complemented by his philosophy of ‘LEADERSHIP BY CO-OPERATION AND GOODWILL’. The college, established on 8th July 1955 today has more than 4300 students in its rolls both at the UG and PG levels. The college is a preferred space known for its academic excellence, NAAC accreditation with Grade A in 2016 is testimony to that. Technology is an integral part of all processes from academics to administration. The facility to record and live stream lectures on a secure and private platform has enabled uninterrupted teaching-learning processes in these pandemic times to the students and faculty from the comfort of their homes. While continuing its journey, the college has responded adequately to challenging pandemic times as well. Webinars, etalks, online competitions are being held regularly. NSS events represent the significance of outreach activities in campus life here. Dr Aditi Dey Principal says, “We have transformed the challenges into opportunities.”
City Life Next (Sanvie Retail Pvt Ltd)
Sanvie Retail Pvt. Ltd. (Brand Name: Citylife Next) was established in the year 2020 with a vision to emerge as a leading Organized Value Retail Chain of Stores across the Nation to provide budget-friendly Trendy, Fashion Apparels & General Merchandise. This Company was formed by More Group who has been in the Apparel business for more than 75+ years. Citylife Next is a One-Stop Family Shop with huge varieties of products for Men's Wear, Ladies Wear, Kids Wear and Non- apparels.
Introlink
Established in 2017, Introlink is an abode of kitchen innovations based out of Kolkata. Armed with an experience of 17+ years, Introlink specializes in providing modern kitchen designs with a focus on the latest technology. Lead by founder Mr Tanmay Saha, our expert team covers the full operations gamut starting from R&D, technical support, marketing and execution. Introlink is poised to be one of the premium Home Lifestyle brands, delivering time-bound and cost-effective Kitchen solutions.
Infinity
INFINITY provides 360 degree customized solutions to each student at the onset of Admissions till they are fully set, in what they are pursuing. Post admission assistance is one of its strengths. Their success story is based on Information-Counseling and Admission i.e. "In-Co-Ad" model, which combines a range of criteria considering individual eligibility, budgets and institutional requirements. The Medcyclopedia App is proof that they are at pace with the latest technology and offer AI-Driven services right from the comfort of your home with practically no physical contact. INFINITY is for admissions and careers made easy.
The winners were selected on the basis of a survey conducted by Market Xcel Data Matrix Pvt. Ltd., specialized market research and consulting firm that provides research services across India, Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
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Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Times by Times Internet's Spotlight Team.