Keith Machado and Ajay Pai along with fellow awardees, BCCI members and guests during the awards ceremony in Belagavi.
BELAGAVI
Two noted entrepreneurs of Goan origin who have carved a niche in Belagavi region were honoured by the Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) for their outstanding contribution to trade and industry at a function at Hotel Sankam Residency in Belagavi.
Keith Machado of Orion Hydraulics and Ajay Pai of Pai Caterers received awards in recognition of the achievements and success of their respective organisations.
Orion Hydraulics, founded by Keith Machado, received the prestigious Dilip Damle Memorial Trust Award for Excellence in Industrial Product Development and Manufacturing 2025-26. Pai Caterers, owned by the Vishwanath Pai Group, was presented the Late Shri Madhukar Vithal Herwadkar Memorial Award for the Best Upcoming Trader 2025-26. Ajay Pai received this award.
Other awardees included Super Disposal, Vikas Composites and Hydronine Fluid System India LLP.
The awards ceremony was attended by Col (Retd) Ramakrishna Jadhav as chief guest, while Dr Ujwal U J was also present. BCCI president Prabhakar Nagarmunoli and secretary Satish Kulkarni presided over the function.
Established in 1992, Orion Hydraulics has grown into a nationally reputed enterprise under the leadership of Keith Machado.
Speaking on the occasion, Machado said the company’s products have earned recognition across sectors such as construction and infrastructure, process plants, power, oil and gas, mining, shipbuilding, heavy engineering, aerospace, and research and development.
“Our products have stood the test of time and are widely recognised and used as preferred products in major industries. We are also associated with several global OEMs,” Machado said.
The company has contributed significantly to several landmark national infrastructure projects, including the Atal Setu and Manohar Setu bridges in Goa, the Chenab Railway Bridge in Kashmir, and the ongoing Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project.
Ajay Pai, president of the Hotel Owners’ Association of Belagavi, has played a key role in strengthening the catering and hospitality industry through the Vishwanath Pai Group of Hotels. He also shares a close rapport with the Goan community across Karnataka and Goa. The Pai family is closely associated with the Ramnathi Devasthan in South Goa.
