First Round (West Zone) 7th Edition of the Manoj B Mehta Print Olympiad 2026

The 7th Edition of the Manoj B Mehta Print Olympiad 2026 marked yet another milestone in fostering excellence in printing technology, innovation, and industry readiness among budding professionals. The First Round for the West Zone was conducted successfully on a virtual platform on 17th March 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (IST), bringing together enthusiastic students, distinguished academicians, and senior industry leaders from across the region. The session opened with a solemn call to order and a crisp introduction to the vision and objectives of the Print Olympiad by Chief Coordinator Prof. Madhura Mahajan. She set the tone for the day by reminding participants that the Olympiad is not merely a competition but a platform “to ignite the spark of creativity and technical mastery that will define the future of the Indian printing industry.”

Project Chairman Prof. Kamal Chopra then delivered the welcome address and a comprehensive overview of the Olympiad. In his inspiring words, he stated, “The Print Olympiad is our collective commitment to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industrial excellence. Every question you answer today is a step towards making India a global leader in printing technology and innovation.” The West Zone coordination team—Prof. Shrikala Kanade, Prof. P. V. Shinde, and Prof. Prasad Puranik—was formally introduced, acknowledging their tireless efforts in ensuring the smooth organisation of the event.

The event was graced by esteemed Guests of Honour, Dr. Dattatraya Kute and Saurabh Newaskar, along with special invitees Prof. R. G. Kaduskar, Dr. Manoj Tarambale, and Manoj B Mehta. Each dignitary addressed the participants with powerful messages of motivation. Dr. Dattatraya Kute emphasised,
“In today’s fast-evolving printing landscape, technical knowledge alone is not enough; it is the ability to innovate and adapt that will separate the leaders from the rest.” Saurabh Newaskar added, “The Print Olympiad is the perfect breeding ground for future industry captains. I urge every participant to treat this not as an exam, but as the first chapter of your success story in the world of print.” Manoj B Mehta, in his address as Title Sponsor, shared his inspiring personal journey that deeply moved the audience. Starting as a diploma holder from the Government Institute of Printing Technology (GIP), Mumbai, he rose to become a top industry owner in Dubai. He narrated his success story with humility and passion, motivating the young participants: “I stood exactly where you are sitting today — a young diploma student from GIP, Mumbai, full of dreams but with very limited resources. Today, I own a successful printing business in Dubai. The only difference between then and now is consistent hard work, continuous learning, and the courage to take bold decisions. This Olympiad is your golden opportunity. Grab it with both hands, build strong technical foundations, and never stop upgrading your skills. The printing industry has no ceiling for those who are willing to grow.”

The distinguished panel of judges—Dr. P. Sasikala, Prof. Manisha Deshpande, Nitin Wani, Jitendra Songire, and Vijay Patil—shared insightful remarks. Speaking on behalf of the panel, Dr. P. Sasikala observed, “We are not just evaluating answers; we are assessing your readiness to serve an industry that demands precision, creativity, and unwavering quality standards. Your performance today reflects the future of Indian printing.”

Sunil P. Redekar, Chief Guest, formally inaugurated the competition with an electrifying address that left the participants highly motivated. He declared, “Today marks the beginning of a journey where talent meets opportunity. I congratulate the organisers and wish every young mind the very best. Let the best minds win and inspire thousands more!” Technical Coordinator Dr. TKS Lakshmi Priya conducted the attendance and delivered a clear briefing on the rules and guidelines. The online MCQ round, designed to test core technical knowledge, conceptual clarity, and application skills in printing technology, commenced immediately and lasted for 30 minutes.

The event concluded with closing remarks and the declaration of results by Project Chairman Prof. Kamal Chopra, who congratulated all participants for their spirited performance. The winners of the West Zone Round 1 are: Sutirth Doshi, Sushant Lohar and Sakshi Sonawane — all from PVG’s College of Engineering, Technology and Management, Pune. Vedant Gharte and Harikrishna Saduchetty — both from Maharashtra Institute of Printing Technology, Pune.

The formal Vote of Thanks was gracefully presented by Anubhava Shiksharthi, who expressed sincere gratitude to all dignitaries, judges, coordinators, participants, and the organising team for making the event a grand success. The First Round (West Zone) of the 7th Manoj B Mehta Print Olympiad 2026 concluded on a high note, reinforcing its stature as one of the most prestigious technical competitions in the country. The overwhelming response and the exceptional quality of participation have set a strong foundation for the subsequent rounds, promising an even more exciting journey ahead for the future torchbearers of the Indian printing industry.