Mumbai: The Emerging India Awards on CNBC-TV18 partnered by ICICI Bank and Crisil awards the performance by Indian SMEs. This year the event received over 35, 000 SME applications to power the Emerging India Awards into the Limca Book of Records as the biggest business awards in India.

The Emerging India initiative was launched in 2004 to understand the dynamics of India's small and medium enterprises. The awards have grown from 5000 applications in its first year to over 35, 000 applications this year.

Speaking on the landmark occasion CEO & MD, ICICI Bank K V Kamath said, "This achievement is a reconfirmation that the growth in India is broad based. It is indeed a far more wide platform that what we all had thought of earlier and that is what took it from 5000 to 35,000 companies standing up to be counted.

I think this process of recognition provides them the stimulus to grow. I wish this event a great success for this year and I think it's a great recognition to be counted in the Limca Book of Records for the event."

A spokesperson for CNBC-TV18 also said, "The Emerging India Awards are designed to recognize the most sustainable Value Creators among SMEs in the country.

With the tremendous response of over 35,000 entries received from all across the country this year, The Emerging India initiative is a true testimony to the power of the SME story. It is also extremely heartening that the future for Indian SMEs looks bright across all Industry sectors. We will continue to take up the SME cause at the TV18 network"