West Zone Print Olympiad 2026: Sakshi Sonawane Secures Top Honour in Pune
April 27, 2026
ETT News / Ludhiana
Sakshi Prashant Sonawane, a third-year student from PVG’s College of Engineering, Technology & Management (COETM), clinched the title of "Top Print Student (West Zone) 2026" at the West Zone Finale of the 7th Manoj B. Mehta Print Olympiad held on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Organized by the Offset Printers Association (OPA) at the PVG’s COETM campus in Pune, this prestigious talent hunt identified the region's most promising printing and packaging professionals through a rigorous competitive process.
The event commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and a warm welcome from Prof. Madhura Mahajan, Chief Coordinator of the Print Olympiad. Addressing an audience of industry veterans and eager students, Project Chairman Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra urged participants to dream big, noting that the future of the industry belongs to those who successfully bridge the gap between creative ideas and technical excellence.
Co-Chairman Ashwani Gupta highlighted the importance of professional discipline, while Guest of Honour Mandar Ugar, Managing Director of Ugar Labels Pvt. Ltd., challenged students to think beyond conventional boundaries. Ugar emphasized that innovation and sustainability remain the critical lifelines needed to make the Indian printing sector a formidable global competitor.
A distinguished jury, including Nitin Wani, Hemanshu Desai, Mukul Shetty, Vijay Patil, and Aniruddha Walimbe, evaluated the finalists based on their technical acumen and problem-solving skills. Shetty encouraged the competitors to view experimental failures as essential stepping stones toward technological breakthroughs in the field.
Zonal Coordinator Prof. Parameshwar Shinde oversaw the distribution of certificates to all participants before the much-anticipated announcement of the top merit holders. Alongside the winner, Sakshi Sonawane, four other students—Vedant Ghate, Sushant Lohar, Sutirth Doshi, and Harikrishna Sadhuchetty—received mementos and merit certificates for their outstanding performance in the West Zone.
Recognition also extended to the academic institutions fostering this talent. PVG’s COETM, Pune, received the "Regional Institution of Excellence" trophy, accepted by Director Sunil P. Redekar. Redekar praised the OPA for its consistent vision in nurturing the next generation of leaders through the Print Olympiad platform.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Ashwani Gupta, who credited the success of the event to the collaborative efforts of host institutions and industry sponsors. Following her victory, Sakshi Sonawane expressed her excitement as she now prepares to represent the West Zone in the upcoming National Finale.
Sakshi Sonawane Print Olympiad 2026 West Zone Finale Pune Event PVG COETM Offset Printers Association Printing Industry Student Competition
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