Atul India receives prestigious Khalifa International Date Palm Award
March 15, 2009

Atul Ltd, one of India’s leading specialty chemicals company with focus on Environment Care, was awarded the prestigious Khalifa International Date Palm Award 2009 (KIDPA) at a glittering ceremony at Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi, on March 15, 2009. This award was conferred by His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE and President of Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Date Palm Award and was accepted by Mr Sunil Lalbhai, Chairman and Managing Director, Atul Ltd.

Atul was honoured with the first prize in the category ‘Distinguished Producer’ for its extensive work in promoting date palm in India in a short span of time. This event was graced by His Excellency Mr Talmiz Ahmad, Ambassador of India to the UAE; His Excellency Mr Abdullah Al-Khanbashi, Vice Chancellor, UAE University, members of global date palm industry and other distinguished dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Lalbhai said: "I am humbled with this international recognition of Atul’s efforts to promote the ‘Blessed Tree’ in India. I dedicate this prestigious award to the toiling farmers of arid regions of India and Government of Rajasthan State, India, in particular who have played a vital role in envisioning Date Palm Programme of India."

Mr Lalbhai added: “The Middle East region, and the UAE in particular, has advanced technology of tissue culture of the date palm for mass propagation of this crop. Atul has collaborated business with almost all the reputed tissue culture date palm laboratories and suppliers in Middle East over the past one year. The speedy implementation of Date Palm Programme in India on its charted road map has been possible due to the special initiatives taken by Mr Sanjay Dixit, Secretary, Horticulture, Government of Rajasthan, and co-operation extended by UAE University, Date Palm Research Center, under the technical guidance of Dr (Prof) Abdelouahhab Zaid."

Thanking His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan and members of KIDPA technical committee for this recognition, Mr Lalbhai affirmed Atul’s commitment to develop the Date Palm Industry in India, which in turn will help to increase rural employment, empower women and improve ecology in arid regions of India.