Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Honors The Winners of 32nd Jamnalal Bajaj Awards
The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation (JBF) honored recipients of the 32nd Jamnalal Bajaj Awards for the year 2009. The four awardees were felicitated by Swami Ramdevji Maharaj of Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar in the presence of Shri Rahul Bajaj, Chairman, JBF in Mumbai
Shri Lavanam, a dynamic social activist, Shri Ayyappa Masagi, a mechanical engineer, Dr. Jaya Arunachalam, the President of Working Women’s Forum (India) and reverend Father Charles Peter Dougherty a Catholic priest, peace activist and specialist in non-violence from USA, were presented the awards this year in the following categories:
AWARD for Outstanding Contribution * Shri Lavanam
in the field of Constructive Work * Atheist Centre, Benz Circle,
* Vijayawada – 520 010 ( A.P.)
AWARD for Application of Science & * Shri Ayyappa Masagi
Technology for Rural Development * Water Literacy Foundation,
* 347, Parvathi Nilaya, Kallappa Layout, Amruthahalli, Sahakarnagar Post, Bangalore 560 092
AWARD for Development and Welfare of * Dr. Jaya Arunachalam
Women and Children (instituted in * No. 55, Bhimsena Garden Road,
Memory of Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj) * Mylapore, Chennai 600 004,
(Tamil Nadu)
INTERNATIONAL AWARD for * Rev Father Charles Peter Dougherty
Promoting Gandhian Values outside * P.O. Box 14062
India * Lansing, Michigan 48912, U.S.A.
Each Award consists of a Citation, a Trophy and a Cash Prize of Rs. Five Lakhs, and of the International Award, Rupees Five lakhs or its equivalent in foreign exchange.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Rahul Bajaj said “We are blessed & honoured by the presence of Shri Ramdevji Maharaj, who is here to give away the awards to these this year’s Gandhian warrior. We are deeply touched and thankful to him for this kind gesture. We are humbled by the work down by the awardees and feel privileged to share this space with them. These awards are a small gesture from the foundation to recognize and suitably reward the efforts of the men and women who have dedicated their life to Gandhian Constructive Work and the ideals which Jamnalal Bajaj had cherished all his life.”
Swami Ramdevji Maharaj said, “It is indeed a privilege for me to be present here on the occasion of presentation of the Jamnalal Bajaj Awards 2009. The winners of this year’s awards have shown tremendous commitment to their area of work. I would like to congratulate Mr. Bajaj and complement him on the work done by the foundation because of which the exemplary work of thousands and thousands of common people in various parts of India has been recognized. I wish the foundation is able to carry out this work of identifying and honoring these Gandhaian warriors for generations to come.”
Expressing the feelings Shri Lavanam said, “I accept this award with all humility at my command. I had the privilege of enjoying love and affection of both Smt. Janaki Devi Bajaj and Smt. Madalasa during the Bhoodan Sarvodaya Movement. I am driven by a passionate nostalgia and I have a feel that they are blessing me before my eyes. I join
all of you in congratulating the three other recipients of Bajaj awards. I do not tend to rest on laurels. For me, the rest is continuation of Gandhian work as long as I can.”
“I am very grateful to Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation for selecting me for this National Award and providing a platform to recognize my work. My humble request to everyone to do your bit to conserve water and I seek your continued support and co operation“said Shri Ayyappa Masagi
“With deep sense of gratitude I express my thanks to the Board of Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation and the Chairman of the Council of advisors.
My special appreciation to the two women leaders, Smt. Minal Bajaj and Smt. Raksha Ben Mehta from the foundation who took the effort to visit us. I am grateful and pleased to accept this award in all humility instituted in memory of Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj who had dedicated her life for the cause of women, women’s emancipation and women’s education.
I deem it a privilege to receive this honour on behalf of over 11 lakh women of Working Women’s Forum (India) who stand behind me” expressed Dr. Jaya Arunachalam.
Father Charles Peter Dougherty said “With humble gratitude I thank the people of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation for this peace award and for helping me come to India, the land of the great Mahatma Gandhi. I am encouraged to keep on in the struggle for a world at peace. I bring this award back to the USA to be a link, a bond of love, between all of you and the people I walk with in my own land.”
This year, 98 people from the country sent their recommendations, sponsoring 49 names for the Award for Constructive Work, 19 names for the Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development and 30 names for the Award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children. 19 persons from various countries were nominated for the International Award.
Shri Justice C.S. Dharmadhikari, former Judge of the Bombay High Court, was Chairman of the Selection Committee for the Award for Constructive Work; Dr. H.N. Sethna, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, headed the Committee for the Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development, Dr. R.A. Mashelkar was Co-Chairperson. Air Chief Marshal I.H. Latif, Former Governor of Maharashtra and Indian Ambassador to France was the Chairman of the Committee for the Award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children, Dr. Mariamma A. Varghese was Co-chairperson. Dr. M.S.
Swaminathan, Former Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission and well-known International Agricultural Scientist was the Chairman of the Committee for the International Award, Ms. Anu Aga was Co-Chairperson.
The three awards, for outstanding contribution in the field of constructive work, for application of science and technology for rural development and for outstanding contribution to uplift and welfare of women and children and/or Gandhian constructive work are given to individuals in India. The international award which was constituted in 1988 is given to individuals other than Indian citizens for their contribution in promotion of Gandhian values outside India.
A brief account of the life and work of each winner of the 2009 Awards is enclosed
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