Print Shree to Ravi Srivastava

Offset Printers’ Association (OPA) conferred the prestigious ‘Print Shree’ award to Ravi Srivastava, recently at a glittering ceremony at the premises of Northern Regional Institute of Printing Technology at Prayag Raj (Allahabad). Print Shree is instituted by OPA to recognize the talent of a person fully devoted for the growth and development of printing and packaging sector. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra said, at OPA, we believe that there is no dearth of talent in society, but there is dearth of people who can recognize their talent. Honouring such luminaries ensures that others in the field get inspired and strove hard to achieve excellence. Such events not only give satisfaction to the luminaries, but also provide encouragement to others for participation. At the same time, it is also necessary to give due honour, honestly to the deserving, because, If the due honour is not given to the deserving, the society is taken over by unscrupulous elements. Today’s society is caught up in this vicious circle, and it is therefore OPA took up this challenge.

Reading the citation, Anubhava Shiksharthi, the eminent print scholar and consultant, said that Mr Ravi Srivastava is a man of drive and initiative; he has devoted his time and energy for building of alliance especially for the former printing students. He is a 1988 print technologist from Northern Regional Institute of Printing Technology (NRIPT) and has completed his Post Graduation, MBA and later did his B. Tech in Printing and Packaging also. Presently he is working as Publication Head of the renowned Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of India. He also remained associated with print media and continued production head at Times of India for more than 19 years and Head Production and pre-press The Mall Today Newspaper (India Today Group) for about 11 years.

Ravi Srivastava played a leading role in spreading knowledge about printing and promoting printing as a career. His activities and commendable endeavours towards supporting constructive activations are appreciated by people-in-print. Due to his commitments towards printing industry and services towards print education, he is recognized as the print leader. The India printing industry owes him a lot, because it was due to his efforts that print education in India is gaining new heights. 
On the behalf of OPA, Shiksharthi added that Offset Printers Association has the honour to present Ravi Srivastava who has been recommended by the award committee as an eminently qualified person for the conferment of the 'Print Shree' Award for the year 2023 in recognition of his exceptional achievements and performances for the growth and welfare of the printing and packaging industry of India. By honouring Ravi Srivastava, the association is acknowledging the debt of gratitude which the printers owe to him.

While presenting the ‘Siropa’ to Ravi, B K Srivastava, Principal of NRIPT said, today I am feeling proud to be associated with such an institution enriched with talent. The students and alumni are devoted towards the printing and packaging sector, I have never come across such a committed staff in my teaching career. 

Presenting the coveted Print Shree trophy, Govind Bhargava, Former President of AIFMP and Chief Guest of the occasion, appreciated the activities of OPA and persuaded other associations to follow in the footsteps of OPA. They travelled about 1000 km to organize this ceremony at the premises of NRIPT, I have never noticed such a commitment from any other association. I know OPA is always at front foot while working for the printing sector. By organizing print competitions for the students, they are trying to promote print education in India and on the other hand by honouring the deserving talent, they are filling the gap between the talent and the persons who recognize the talent. He said, today I am really feeling proud to be the alumni of this premier institution. He thanked the principal and faculty and at the same time invited students to visit his unit Solar Press at Kanpur for on-the-spot training and for the required apprenticeship. 

While thanking OPA for the recognition, Ravi Srivastava in his address, appreciated the efforts of Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra, President World Print & Communication Forum (WPCF) for the networking between the printers and for persuading the younger generation to adopt printing as a career. With this recognition now I must work more vigorously for the cause of printing and print education. I am thankful to the managing committee of OPA for bestowing such an honour, he said.