Lucknow – The Indian Industries Association (IIA) successfully held its 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Hotel Ramada, with over 700 entrepreneurs from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi in attendance.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, the chief guest, lauded the IIA’s relentless efforts and initiatives for the growth of MSMEs, recognising its status as one of the largest MSME associations in the country. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, IIA is making remarkable progress in steering MSMEs towards Industry 4.0.
Pathak affirmed the UP government’s commitment to transforming its population of 250 million into a powerful resource for serving global markets through the One District One Product (ODOP) and MSME schemes, with IIA’s active support. He invited IIA to share suggestions on policy amendments to remove barriers to ease of doing business, assuring that these would be prioritised. He also praised IIA’s initiative to invite renowned corporate trainer Sonu Sharma to the AGM to mentor entrepreneurs on business growth, sharing personal insights on loss management and development strategies.
The event honoured top-performing chapters and entrepreneurs. Hapur emerged as the best-performing chapter with 83.32% growth, followed by Barabanki (second), Greater Noida (third), Bareilly (fourth), and Muzaffarnagar (fifth). Awards were also presented across five special categories, including IIA Star Chapter Chairman-CEC Attendance, Star Chapter Manthan Meeting, Membership Growth, President’s Special Award, and 100% Monthly Report Submission.
The AGM opened with Senior Vice President Alok Agarwal’s Ganesh Vandana and a symbolic “Seven Rivers” water collection ceremony to promote water conservation awareness. Former President Neeraj Singhal delivered the inaugural address, reflecting on the achievements during his tenure and thanking all chapter chairmen and the central team for their collective support.
Current President Dinesh Goyal, declaring this AGM historic for its record participation, outlined IIA’s 2025–26 goals, with a focus on expanding activities to underrepresented states and strengthening MSME development. He urged entrepreneurs to think innovatively, step out of their comfort zones, and leverage IIA’s platform to overcome challenges and embrace Industry 4.0 transformation. He also emphasised the need for an IT-backed Resource Management Cell to connect every chapter and entrepreneur for business growth, while providing opportunities for young talent to enter entrepreneurship and collaborate with leading industries.
The meeting also featured presentations by Tata Solar, M/s Stockart, and Capital Crafter, introducing participants to opportunities in solar energy, business expansion, and investment. Treasurer Awadhesh Kumar Agarwal presented the annual financial report, stressing transparency, discipline, and control in financial matters.
A highlight was Sonu Sharma’s motivational session on “Business Growth,” which left attendees inspired and energised. General Secretary Deepak Bajaj thanked past and present office bearers for their guidance in making IIA a trusted network of over 15,000 entrepreneurs nationwide, and expressed gratitude to all delegates for their active participation. The AGM concluded with the national anthem, reinforcing a collective commitment to industry and association growth.
