While accepting the award from the Governor of Maharashtra, Dr PC Alexander, Mr Ambani pointed out that India today offered opportunities like never before, and he exhorted Indian industry to seize the opportunity. According to Mr Ambani, "lakhs of people have joined me in building Reliance which symbolises belief and trust." Mr Ambani added, "while some seize the opportunities, others let it pass. I have believed in the power of youth and they have never failed me."

Referring to Mr Ambani as "a legend of his times", Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Ram Naik said, "while the four oil giants of the government of India had built 85 million metric tonne capacity in the last 40 years, Reliance has built a 27 million metric tonne capacity plant in four years' time." Dr RA Mashelkar, under whose leadership National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) and CSIR has achieved international repute was conferred the Hall Of Fame & Lifetime Contribution Award. According to Dr Mashelkar, "while there is a lot of cynicism regarding Indian science, I believe that Indian science and technology has delivered." Pointing out that the total budgetary allocation to science and technology stood at $4 billion, Dr Mashlekar pointed out that General Electric (GE) had a budget of $115 billion. "The marriage of science and capital which is happening today is very significant," Dr Mashlekar added. The Achiever of the Year Award was presented to Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd chairman Dr Anji Reddy.

Dr VK Raghavan, Dr VK Pangarkar and Dr BD Kulkarni were awarded for their outstanding contribution in the field of scientific research. Union minister for power Suresh Prabhu and Union minister of state for power Jaywantiben Mehta were also present on the ocassion.