Shri Sajjan Bhajanka: A Visionary Industrialist and Philanthropist Honoured with Padma Shri for His Outstanding Contribution to Trade & Industry
Kolkata: The Heritage Group celebrates the remarkable achievements of Shri Sajjan Bhajanka, who was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri Award by the Honourable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, today, in the category of Trade and Industry. This national honour is a testament to his lifelong commitment to driving India’s industrial growth and his unwavering dedication to nation-building.
Born in a humble family, Shri Bhajanka’s journey from modest beginnings to becoming one of India’s most respected industrialists is both inspiring and deeply motivating. As the Founder Chairman of Century Plyboards (India) Ltd. and Star Cement, he has played an instrumental role in reshaping India’s manufacturing and infrastructure landscape. In a recent BusinessWorld magazine feature, it was projected that Century Ply is set to achieve a remarkable revenue of Rs. 12,000 crore by 2030, highlighting his enduring vision and business acumen.
In 2001, Shri Sajjan Bhajanka, along with other visionary industrialists and philanthropists, co-founded the Heritage Group of Institutions, Kolkata under the aegis of Kalyan Bharti Trust. He played a pivotal role in establishing The Heritage School, the first day-boarding school in Eastern India, which has, over the last 24 years, grown into a name synonymous with excellence in school education.
Today, the Heritage Group spans diverse fields including engineering, management, law, liberal arts, commerce, science, and social sciences, with a thriving student strength of over 11,000. As the Founder Trustee and Secretary of Kalyan Bharti Trust, Shri Bhajanka has been the guiding force behind creating an ecosystem of excellence in education. His vision continues to inspire thousands of young minds across the nation.
It is a moment of pride for the entire Heritage family to have two Padma Shri awardees on its Board — and Shri P.R. Agarwala, Chairman of Rupa & Co. and Founder Trustee and Chairman of Heritage Institute of Technology and Shri Sajjan Bhajanka, Founder Chairman of Century Plyboards (India) Ltd. and Star Cement.
Beyond the realm of industry and education, Shri Bhajanka’s philanthropic spirit has touched countless lives. His work towards the upliftment of tribal and rural communities is truly remarkable. As a key contributor to the Ekal Vidyalaya movement under the aegis of Friends of Tribal Society, he has helped to establish over 60,000 schools in remote regions of India, bringing light to some of the darkest corners of the country.
