Prem K. Vora, President of the Electric Merchants Association (EMA) for 2025-26, was conferred the Rashtriya Ashok Samman (Bharat Samman) at the National Leadership Conclave held in New Delhi. The award recognises his outstanding contributions to India’s electrical trade sector, his leadership in driving digital transformation, and his efforts in strengthening the MSME ecosystem. As the youngest president in EMA’s history, Vora has brought a progressive vision to the organisation, pushing for sustainable practices and greater industry-government collaboration.
About the Rashtriya Ashok Samman (Bharat Samman)
The Rashtriya Ashok Samman, also referred to as the Bharat Samman, is a national honour conferred by the Bharat Gaurav Ratna Shri Samman Council (BGRSSC) to individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. The award is named after the ancient Indian emperor Ashoka the Great, symbolising values of leadership, ethical governance, and social welfare.
The Bharat Gaurav Ratna Shri Samman Council aims to recognise and honour unsung talent across India in areas such as trade, education, social service, and nation-building. The council holds its award ceremonies at prominent venues in New Delhi, including the historic Hotel Ashok.
The National Leadership Conclave, where the award was presented, serves as a platform for leaders from industry, trade, and policy to deliberate on India’s developmental trajectory. The event also featured the Viksit Bharat 2047 Conclave, where Vora shared his vision for a self-reliant India. Viksit Bharat 2047 is the government’s flagship vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of the country’s independence, with targets including a $30 trillion economy and a per capita income of $18,000.
The Electric Merchants Association: A Nine-Decade Legacy
The Electric Merchants Association (EMA), headquartered in Mumbai, is one of the oldest trade bodies in India’s electrical sector. Established in 1937, it has served the electrical trade and industry for nearly nine decades, celebrating its Granite Jubilee (90 years) in 2026-27. EMA is a not-for-profit body that works to safeguard and promote the interests of the electrical industry, including importers, exporters, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, contractors, and consultants.
The association has over 1,200 members and is affiliated with the Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC), one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business chambers, founded in 1907. EMA has historically played a key role in representing the electrical trade before government authorities on issues ranging from sales tax and octroi to import-export policies and quality control standards.
Prem K. Vora: A Young Leader at the Helm
Prem K. Vora is the youngest president in EMA’s history. He is the driving force behind the Nayan Group of Companies and heads Roopketan Engineering Co., a firm with over five decades of experience in the capacitor and electrical components trade. The Nayan Group has been serving the electrical industry since 1972.
Under Vora’s leadership, EMA has launched several transformative initiatives. The “Green Electricals” initiative promotes the adoption of sustainable and energy-efficient electrical products among members. He has also spearheaded the digital transformation of the association, moving its operations and member services online to improve reach and efficiency.
Key Initiatives Under Vora
| Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| Green Electricals | Promotes adoption of sustainable, energy-efficient electrical products |
| Digital Transformation | Migrated association operations and member services online |
| Industry Collaboration | Strengthened engagement between industry, government, and trade bodies |
| Youth Engagement | Encouraged younger business owners to join and participate in association activities |
Previous Recognitions and Industry Impact
This is not the first national honour for Prem K. Vora. He has previously been recognised with the Global Youth Ambassador Award in both 2025 and 2026, and the Iconic Emerging Leader in the Electrical Industry 2025. These recognitions reflect his growing influence as a young leader in India’s electrical trade sector.
His work at EMA has focused on strengthening MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), which form the backbone of India’s electrical trade. MSMEs contribute nearly 30% to India’s GDP and employ over 11 crore people. Trade associations like EMA play a vital role in representing the interests of this sector, advocating for policy reforms, skill development, and easier access to credit.
Significance of the Award
The conferment of the Rashtriya Ashok Samman on a trade body leader signals the growing recognition of the role that industry associations and MSMEs play in India’s economic growth. As India works toward the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the government has emphasised that MSMEs, trade associations, and local entrepreneurs will be decisive in achieving the goal of a self-reliant and developed India.
The award also highlights the importance of the electrical sector, which is critical to India’s infrastructure development, urbanisation, and the transition to clean energy. With the government pushing for electric vehicle adoption, renewable energy expansion, and smart city development, the electrical trade sector is poised for significant growth.
Key Takeaways
- Prem K. Vora, President of the Electric Merchants Association (EMA), was conferred the Rashtriya Ashok Samman (Bharat Samman) at the National Leadership Conclave in New Delhi.
- The Electric Merchants Association (EMA) was established in 1937, is headquartered in Mumbai, and has over 1,200 members.
- Vora is the youngest president in EMA’s history and leads the Nayan Group of Companies, which has served the electrical industry since 1972.
- EMA launched the “Green Electricals” initiative under Vora’s leadership to promote sustainable and energy-efficient products.
- Viksit Bharat 2047 is the government’s vision to make India a developed nation by 2047, targeting a $30 trillion economy with a per capita income of $18,000.
