On 3rd November 2011, His Majesty The Emperor of Japan honored Mr. R.C. Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, with The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star , in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the promotion of economic relations and mutual understanding between Japan and India. The ceremony for conferment will be held in Tokyo on 7th November 2011 at the Imperial Palace, when Mr. Bhargava will be conferred the decoration and will be given an audience with His Majesty The Emperor of Japan.

About Mr. R.C.Bhargava:

Maruti Suzuki India Limited was established by the Indian Government as Maruti Udyog Limited, vastly supported by the Japanese car-maker Suzuki Motor Corporation, and has become the most successful example of a joint venture between Indian and Japanese industries. Following the success of Maruti Udyog Limited as a forerunner, a great number of Japanese companies have invested in India.

Mr. R. C. Bhargava was involved in the “Maruti Project” from the beginning, and greatly helped in realizing of the joint venture between Maruti Udyog Limited and Suzuki Motor Corporation. After the commencement of India-Japan business collaboration, Mr. Bhargava was appointed as the Managing Director of Maruti Udyog Limited in 1985.

Subsequently, he became the Chairman and Managing Director of Maruti Udyog in 1990, a post he held till 1992. He continued as the Managing Director till 1997. After Suzuki acquired control of the company, Mr. Bhargava was re-inducted to the Board in 2003 and was appointed as the Chairman in 2007 until now. During his career in Maruti, he has introduced Japanese-style management and Japanese manufacturing culture to India. He has also worked significantly to expand and strengthen the business relationship between the two countries through his valuable advice to Japanese companies which have shown interest to invest in India, giving business lectures to them both in India and in Japan, and publishing books or writing columns in Japanese magazines.

Mr. Bhargava also made appreciable efforts to introduce Japanese-style human development methods in India through his business engagements, and his involvement in the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), as the Chairman of IIM-Ranchi and as a Board Member of IIM-Calcutta.

About the Orders of the Rising Sun:

The Orders of the Rising Sun, established in 1875, were Japan’s first awards. These decorations are conferred in recognition of distinguished accomplishments of an individual, both Japanese and foreigner. The decoration feature rays of sunlight radiating from a rising sun. The attachments are shaped into paulownia flowers and leaves.