By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today received the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Service Award for his outstanding contribution towards popularizing Gandhiji’s message of truth and non-violence and service to the people.
The award was presented to Mr. Azad by Governor; Lt. Gen. S. K. Sinha at a function here organised to pay homage to the Father of the Nation on his 60th death anniversary observed as the Martyrs’ Day.
The award given on behalf of Dr. Nirmala Deshpande, President, Akhil Bharat Rachnatmak Samaj and millions of Gandhian followers of the country, recognizes Mr. Azad’s contribution in the service to the people of the country, particularly the State and propagating the message of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Governor, Mr. S. K. Sinha said that he felt proud to present the Chief Minister the Mahatma Gandhi Service Medal, adding that associated with Jammu & Kashmir for the last 60 years as he had been, he never saw anybody else working for the betterment of the people of the State as Mr. Azad was doing. He said Mr. Azad had kept alive the flame of Gandhiwaad.
Mr. Sinha said that he himself belonged to a generation that had seen and heard Gandhiji in person. The Chief Minister, he said, however, belonged to a different age group that did not have such an occasion. He said despite that Mr. Azad had tremendous knowledge about the Father of the Nation and his philosophy. He said the Chief Minister was striving to follow the path shown by the great leader.
Accepting the award with humility, the Chief Minister said that he felt honoured to receive the medal. He said that there was need today as perhaps never before to propagate Gandhiji’s message and eradicate rancour, violence and intolerance form the society.
Padam Bhushan Balraj Puri, ministers, senior officers and a large number of people were present on the occasion.