A file picture of Jharcraft managing director Dhirendra Kumar speaking to a tussar weaver in Chakulia

This Jharkhand brand has probably earned the biggest recognition in the form of customer appreciation, but being awarded by a national institute is always special.

After seven years of weaving profits from tussar and kuchai, Jharcraft and its managing director Dhirendra Kumar will both be honoured by the Institute of Economic Studies (IES), New Delhi, at Hotel Lalit Ashok in Bangalore on Thursday.

While Kumar will get the Udyog Ratan award for his contribution to the industrial sector of the state as well as of the country, Brand Jharcraft will receive the coveted Excellence Award.

Both Jharcraft and Kumar will receive trophies and a certificate of appreciation.

On Wednesday, Kumar left Ranchi for New Delhi after which he flew to Bangalore.

The Telegraph caught up with him over phone when he was in New Delhi.

Excited to receive the award, Kumar generously shared credit with his team.

“We all work at the grassroots to make Jharcraft a successful organisation,” he said. “The recognition is for everyone,” he added.

“This (the IES twin awards) should be considered as the first recognition on a national platform and I am looking forward to develop more contacts so that we can expand and reach out to more people. My tour to Bangalore will also give me time to visit the stores in the city,” he added.

The IES was set in 1980 by a group of economists, parliamentarians and industrialists to discuss issues concerning India’s economy.

As part of its activities, the IES holds conferences, meets, group discussions, among others, on contemporary business and economic interests.

Every year, the IES selects a firm and a person to promote industrial growth.

“The IES has been working for industrial promotion for more than 30 years now and has been honouring those who contribute significantly to industrial development. Thus, this year, we have chosen Jharcraft and its managing director Dhirendra Kumar based on recommendations made by our network. Once members recommend names for the award, we send a research team to verify them,” said Rajender Kumar, the public relations officer of IES.

Evidently, the member recommendations have stood the test of the research scrutiny.

Jharcraft, or Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd, a Jharkhand government undertaking under the industry department set up in 2006, is making waves in India and abroad for its quality and spirit of innovation.