The function was graced by SB Mujumdar, chancellor at Symbiosis University, Rajendrakumar Anayath, vice chancellor at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Haruhiko Akustu San, chairman and managing director of Toyo Ink India, SFH Rizvi, post master general, Pune Region.

The association honoured Vijay Kumar Chopra, the newly-elected chairman of Press Trust of India and the chief editor of Punjab Kesari with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Sarada Rajendran of ST Reddiar & Sons was honoured with Lady Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Girish Agarwal, director of Dainik Bhaskar Group, Bhuvnesh Seth, managing director of Replika Press, Seguttavan R, chief executive at ITC, Gautam Pai, managing director of Manipal Technologies, Ashutosh Manohar, managing director at Tetra Pak India, Harsha and Hemant Paruchuri of Pragati Offset, Khushru Patel and Aspi Forbes of JAK Printers were also awarded for their achievements in their respective industries.

As part of the centenary celebrations, PPOA screened an exclusive short film, which highlighted the struggles of printers in India during the First World War, the introduction of printing and associated technologies, the formation of PPOA, and the growth of printers in the last ten decades in India.

The special issue of the 80-year-old magazine Mudran Prakash launched at the event 

A docubook titled Shatamudra, which highlights the 100-year journey of the association, was also launched at the event along with a special issue of the association’s 80-year-old magazine, Mudran Prakash. A special postal stamp and postal cover marking the occasion was also unveiled at the function.

Ravi Joshi, president of PPOA said, “It’s a matter of pride for Pune that the oldest printers’ association in the world, too – was established here a century ago. Looking ahead, we plan to make the general people aware of the printing legacy. We are planning to establish a museum for printing machines and technology in Pune.”

Joshi also revealed that association’s goal to start a mall for printers in Pune, which would serve as a one-stop destination for printers to purchase raw materials.

Established in 1919 by a group of press owners to combat the issues faced by printers during the First World War, PPOA is considered the oldest association of printers in India.