In a ceremony attended by BJP National President J P Nadda and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Maharashtra government honored seventeen distinguished individuals as ‘Heroes of Mumbai.’ Busts of these iconic figures, instrumental in the advancement of Mumbai, were unveiled at Kilachand Garden in Girgaon.

Among the esteemed honorees was the late Ashok Kumar Jain, former Chairman of Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited (The Times Group). Times Group Managing Director Vineet Jain expressed pride in acknowledging the recognition of his late father, stating, “It gives me immense pride to be standing here in the presence of such luminaries to acknowledge the recognition of my late father, Shri Ashok Jain.”

According to the press release, the 17 ‘heroes of Mumbai’ include iconic figures such as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Lata Mangeshkar, Dadasaheb Phalke, Homi Bhabha, JRD Tata, Dhirubhai Ambani, Sachin Tendulkar, and VD Savarkar, among others.

Vineet Jain lauded the initiative, emphasizing the deep connection between his father and Mumbai, stating, “Mumbai was at the heart of so much of what he did and worked towards, while establishing one of Asia’s largest media companies.”

The ‘heroes of Mumbai’ project, conceptualized by state cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, aims to honor influential figures by unveiling their busts and acknowledging their contributions to Mumbai’s progress in various facets, such as economic prosperity, safety, and cultural enrichment. Lodha explained, “The program seeks to serve as an enduring source of inspiration for Mumbaikars.”

Expressing gratitude on behalf of The Times Group, Vineet Jain thanked Mr. Lodha and the entire Maharashtra government for the singular honor bestowed upon his late father. The ceremony serves as a testament to the indelible impact these individuals have had on shaping the financial and cultural capital of India.

Stay tuned for more updates as Maharashtra continues to celebrate the legacy of its ‘Heroes of Mumbai.’