MR. ARUN  FIRODIA

Chairman- Kinetic Group

Mr. Arun Firodia, known as “Mr. R & D”  has  given  revolutionary  products  like  Luna which  gave  mobility  to  common man  and  Kinetic Honda  which  gave  mobility  to women. Now he is busy developing electric vehicles to eliminate pollution from our cities. He has been instrumental in designing a 90 seater aircraft, an ‘Earthquake Warning System’ and an instrument to enable visually challenged persons to “listen”  to books or newspapers.

A brilliant  engineer  and  a social  activist, Mr. Arun Firodia got his B.Tech with  distinction in Electrical Engineering from IIT,  Mumbai.  He  went to US for his post graduation and did his MS in  Electrical Engineering from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology.)  with flying colours. He also did  his  MS     in Management  from ‘Sloan School of  Management’.

The President of India honoured Mr. Arun Firodia with Padmashri (2012), which is one of the highest civilian honour in recognition of his contribution to nation building.

He  inherits  the  rich  tradition   of  his   illustrious  father  late Shri  H K Firodia,  the  Doyen  of  Indian  Automobile  Industry.

Mr. Arun Firodia  established    “ H K Firodia  Memorial  Foundation ”  in  1996  in the  memory and honour    of  his  father Late Shri  H K Firodia. The  Foundation  has instituted   “H K Firodia  Awards  For Excellence  in Science & Technology”.  These  are  given to outstanding  Indian  Scientists  for their  original  and world class contributions  to any  branch  of science.

The awards  are meant  to inspire  young people  to take to science,  develop a scientific temper  and  a spirit of innovation. Late Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam,  Former  President of India  is the  1^st recipient  of this award.  Other distinguished  scientists  like  Prof. CNR Rao,  Dr. Vijay Bhatkar,     Dr. Anil  Kakodkar,  Dr. R. Chidambaram, ,  Dr. R A  Mashelkar,   Dr. P N Tandon,    Dr. M. Annadurai   are also some of  the distinguished award winners.

Mr. Arun Firodia has been  :

1.  Chairman, National Innovation Council – Industry Sector
2.  Member of CSIR – High Powered Committee for ‘National Civil Aircraft Development’ Project.
3.  Chairman of the  Research Council  of Central  Scientific Instruments  Organisation,
4.  Member of CSIR Labs under Physical Sciences
5. President of ‘Pune Citizens’ Police Foundation’ (PCPF) which  runs a school specially  for Policemen’s Children .
6.  President of  Mahratta   Chamber   of   Commerce,   Industries  and   (2000 -2002)
7.  Member of the Executive Committee of Janawani – A public forum to voice the aspirations of Pune Citizens.
8.  Chief Patron of  SEDT  (Socio Economic  Development Trust ) an NGO working for  education, health care and economic development of rural poor, women and children
9.  Vice Chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Pune Kendra.
10.  Advisory Committee Member of Symbiosis  Institute  of International  Business (SIIB).

Mr. Arun Firodia has authored the following books :

1)   Innovation on Two Wheels

2)   Green Growth

3)   Smart Cities

Honours & Awards :

Mr. Arun Firodia  is  recipient  of several  Honours  and Awards as below  :

1. Lifetime Achievement  Award by Society  of Indian  Automobile  Manufacturers  for  his  pioneering  efforts  to provide  affordable  mobility to common man.
2. MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology – USA ) Distinguished Alumnus Award.
3. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)  Mumbai – Distinguished  Alumnus Award
4. Helen Keller Award for rehabilitation of  Leprosy  affected  people who had become  social  outcasts.
5. FICCI Award for Employment  of  Physically  Challanged  people.
6. TERI Award –  in  Appreciation  for  good corporate  citizenship
7. Besides above he has also  bagged -‘ Best  Couple  of the  Millenium’   award with Dr (Mrs) Jayashree Firodia.