The Market Research Society of India (MRSI) is set to honour the remarkable contributions of three industry pioneers Ashok Das, C.K. Sharma, and Dr. Lalit S. Kanodia at the prestigious Golden Key Awards 2024, scheduled to take place on February 20, 2025, in Mumbai.

Since its inception in 2019, the Golden Key Awards have become a benchmark for recognizing excellence in India’s research and insights industry, celebrating individuals who have played a pivotal role in shaping its growth and evolution, the company said in a press release.

Continuing its tradition of paying tribute to visionary leaders, MRSI will confer the Lifetime Achievement Awards on Ashok Das and C.K. Sharma, acknowledging their immense impact on the market research domain. Additionally, Dr. Lalit S. Kanodia will be presented with a Special Award for Transformational Impact, honouring his pioneering efforts in integrating advanced technology with research methodologies, which have redefined industry standards.

With a distinguished career spanning over four decades, Ashok Das has been a driving force in transforming India’s market research landscape. Under his leadership, Hansa Research emerged as a formidable player, while his contributions to the Indian Readership Survey (IRS), Rural SEC, and INTAM (India’s first television meter service) have had a lasting impact. Having held leadership roles at IMRB, MARG, and ORG-MARG, Das also spearheaded market research expansion in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. A respected industry thought leader, he has actively contributed to ESOMAR and MRSI forums and mentored students at prestigious institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad and IIT Bombay, leaving an indelible mark on both research practice and education.

Similarly, C.K. Sharma, fondly known as CK, is a pioneer of marketing research in India with over four decades of experience. As co-founder of Marketing & Business Associates (MBA), he championed cutting-edge analytical methods to help businesses make data-driven decisions. His collaboration with The Gallup Organization in the 1990s introduced India to the crucial concepts of customer and employee engagement, which have since become foundational in the corporate world. Over the years, he played a key role in shaping public policy by developing Citizen Scorecards—a model widely used in India and adopted in parts of Eastern Europe through the World Bank. His expertise also led to the creation of sophisticated customer experience frameworks for global banks and innovative methodologies to study farmer preferences for herbicides across Asia. An avid mentor, CK has guided numerous industry professionals through his association with IIM Ahmedabad, MICA, and Gallup, leaving behind a legacy of knowledge and leadership.

Renowned as a father figure of India’s IT industry, Dr. Lalit S. Kanodia extended his expertise in technology and data analytics to revolutionize the global research and insights sector. His efforts were instrumental in digitizing traditional offline research methodologies and integrating high-end data analytics to enhance research precision and efficiency. An alumnus of MIT (Massachusetts) and IIT Bombay, Dr. Kanodia played a pivotal role in founding Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in 1967, setting the stage for India’s emergence as a global IT powerhouse.

Currently serving as the Chairman of Datamatics Group of Companies, Dr. Kanodia has not only driven innovation in research but has also contributed significantly to academia. His expertise has been shared through lectures on Business Applications of Statistics at institutions such as MIT and Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. Furthermore, his leadership extends to key business forums, including the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, solidifying his reputation as a transformative leader.

Reflecting on the significance of these honours, Nitin Kamat, President of MRSI, expressed deep gratitude to the awardees, stating, “We are profoundly grateful to Mr. Ashok Das, Mr. C.K. Sharma, and Dr. Lalit S. Kanodia for their enduring contributions and visionary leadership. Their impact has shaped the very foundation of the market research industry, and their guidance continues to inspire professionals across the sector. It is our privilege to recognize their outstanding achievements at the MRSI Golden Key Awards 2024.”

The Golden Key Awards 2024 will bring together a distinguished gathering of industry veterans, thought leaders, and emerging talent to celebrate outstanding contributions to the field of market research and insights. This highly anticipated event underscores MRSI’s commitment to fostering innovation, upholding industry excellence, and recognizing individuals whose work has driven meaningful change.