By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi : Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) – an NGO established in 1986 to promote empirical and conceptual research on ideologies and problems relevant to Indian polity, society, economy, religion and culture with special focus on the problems of Muslims and other minority groups – will confer the First IOS Lifetime Achievement Award on Former Chief Justice of India A.M. Ahmadi at a function to be held at India Islamic Cultural Centre here Saturday.
The Award carries a citation and a cash amount of Rupees one lakh presented at a public function.
Justice Aziz Mushabbar Ahmadi was born at Surat on 25th March 1932. He was Chief Justice of India from 1994 to 1997. Currently he is the Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University.
As for institution of this Award, the IOS says, "As the Institute steps into its third decade with a greater sense of commitment and dedication, it has decided to broaden the range of its activities and programmes. One of the significant initiatives taken by the Institute in this connection is the institution of a National Award to honour individuals or institutions which have set an example of selfless and dedicated service to the country."
Further justifying the institution of this Award, the IOS says, "There is hardly any award in the country which is presented to an individual for infusing a sense of morality and sanity in national life, for integrity and probity in public life, for sincere and selfless service to society, especially to marginalised groups and communities."
Thus the main objective of the Award is to identify and publicly honour individuals / institutions / NGOs which have rendered an invaluable service to national life regardless of the distinctions of caste, class or creed, and whose dedicated contributions have touched, directly or indirectly, the lives of large numbers of people in the country.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who will chair the award-giving ceremony, will also release a film on Justice A.M. Ahmadi.
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil will present the Award while Governor of Haryana Dr. A.R. Kidwai will present a cheque worth Rs. one lakh to Justice Ahmadi.
Renowned economist Dr. Abusaleh Shariff and Justice A.M. Ahmadi will also address the gathering.