Mr. HC Kharkar, Chief, Cold Rolling Mill of Tata Steel has been adjudged the Metallurgist of the Year 2003 by the Indian Institute of Metals in recognition of his contributions in the fields of production, research, education, design, development and environment which have significantly impacted the national scenario.

The Indian Institute of Metals has been commemorating the National Metallurgists' Day (NMD) every year on November 14. The Indian Institute of Metals on behalf of the Ministry of Steel selects and honours distinguished metallurgists of India for their outstanding contributions in the field of metallurgical education, research and industry.

Several other executives from Tata Steel will also be recognised for their contributions in metallurgy by the Indian Institute of Metals at the NMD Celebrations slated for the November 14, 2003 at Science City, Kolkata.

The OP Jindal Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to the development of Ferrous Metals & Alloys is being awarded to Mr. SK Roy, Chief, ASPIRE Raw Materials & Iron Making, Tata Steel. The Essar Gold Medal for outstanding contributions in the field of secondary steelmaking is being awarded jointly to Mr. H. Jha, Chief LD2 and Slab Caster, Tata Steel. and Dr. S. Kumar, Technologist, Flat Products Technology Group, Tata Steel.

The Steel Eighties Award, established by the Steel Eighties Trust in recognition of meritorious contributions for the advancement of technology is being awarded jointly to Dr. M D Maheshwari, Chief, Scientific Services, Tata Steel. and Mr. I Chakrabarti, Chief, Long Products Technology Group, Tata Steel.

Tata Steel had won many awards last year as well. Most significantly Mr. B Muthuraman, Managing Director, Tata Steel, had been conferred the prestigious Tata Gold Medal and Dr.Amit Chaterjee, Chief Technical Officer, Tata Steel, had been conferred the prestigious IIM Platinum Medal. Also, Mr.H.M.Nerurkar, then Executive-in-Charge (Flat Products), Tata Steel, had been awarded the SMS DEMAG Excellence Award (Gold Medal) for his outstanding leadership contribution in iron & steel and non-ferrous industry in India.