This 2012 edition of Indiastar awards and Pacmachine awards has drawn in 507 entries, which the institute claims to be the highest number of nominations in a year. "We have picked the best of the best," said Prof N C Saha, director, IIP. He further added that the overwhelming response shows that the contest is growing in importance and is the only national award in India officially recognised by Asian Packaging Federation (APF) and WPO.

Among the proud winners of Indiastar award, Hyderabad-based Pragati Pack India leads the tally by bagging 42 awards in various categories followed by ITC Limited, Kolkata with 22 awards and Jayna packaging with 14 awards.

The comprehensive list of entries was judged by eminent jury from printing and packaging fraternity which comprised of Kiran Prayagi, printing consultant, Graphic Arts & Technology & Education, NC Saha, director, IIP and chairman of the jury, Prof G G  Ray, professor and head-IDC, IIT-Mumbai, Hemant Ranadive, production head, FCB Ulka Advertising and Pradyumna Vyas, director, National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad.   

The major attraction of the event was Tisca Chopra, actress and theatre personality, who hosted the event.

The Pacmachine awards were presented by S K Ray, chairman, IIP to the innovators in the packaging machinery sectors. The four categories in this sector were packaging machinery, packaging conversion machinery, other packaging machinery and supporting packaging machinery.

The various categories of the Indiastar awards included consumer package, ecofriendly package, food package, pharmaceutical package, packaging material and adjunct, transport package and package designed by student.

This session commenced by felicitating students in the packaging field with Indiastar and Asiastar awards for their innovative packaging design and development. Some of the award winning entries include day wise tablet reminder package, Bru smart equidose pack, personel bar tender etc.

According to Saha, the highest number of nominations received for Asiastar 2012 and Worldstar2012 contest were from India.