UltraTech Cement, an Aditya Birla Group company, awarded stalwarts of the construction industry at the recently held India Next awards evening in Mumbai. India Next is the country's first competition that recognises professionals and students from the construction fraternity for smart ideas and solutions that bridge the country's urban and rural problems by focusing on an improved 'collective' future. India Next is a platform under UltraTech's Build Beautiful philosophy that engages future builders of India to make intelligent use of technology with available people and resources for improved management of the urban and rural landscapes. A step towards new India, India Next felicitated engineers and architects for their inspiring ideas and solutions towards building a better future. After six months of rigorous screening through 400 detailed concept entries by 16 eminent jury members, 17 participants were awarded with trophies and citations for coming up with the best ideas that could bring a transformation towards societies at large. Prominent architect David Fisher of Dynamic Architecture along with KK Maheshwari, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement, felicitated the most inspiring ideas that inspire to create 'Smart Cities and Villages'. Speaking on the occasion, KK Maheshwari, Managing Director UltraTech Cement, said 'India is moving towards claiming its rightful place in the world through a series of determined steps. Taking advantage of the vast potential of this country, the government is leading initiatives to create infrastructure at par with the world's best. This is a story of the country's transformation along with its society, through multiple initiatives like better governance, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, irrigation, water and waste management programmes, to name a few - all culminating to a clean and healthier livelihood. The plan to create smart cities will make life a real pleasure, and ultimately improve productivity. All of this will lead to an India where the next generation will experience life dramatically different from what it is today. UltraTech has always partnered in India's growth story. All iconic buildings in the country - be it the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, T2 of Mumbai, metros, etc - have been built with cement and concrete especially formulated by the company to lend elegance and beauty to these marvellous structures. UltraTech believes in a seamless partnership with all its stakeholders. In line with the government's vision of grand, beautiful and powerful India, the company now seeks to unleash the ideas of architects, engineers and students. India Next was designed to give them a platform to showcase their vision of a smart and beautiful society. We are proud to be part of this journey of India Next while we are galloping ahead building massive roads and bridges, airports and seaports, skyscrapers, small and big houses, all giving life to the dreams of designers, architects and engineers in creating a beautiful India.' The award jury comprised eminent names such as civil engineer Mahendra Raj, architect Raj Rewal, and Sanjay Seth, Senior Director, TERI, among other noted industry stalwarts.