Rotarians in India are a force for peace and friendship. They help others in so many ways. We are part of something large. Rotarians are obsessed with an ideal to make this world a better place to live. We understand that creating sustainable programmes requires us to network with other organisations and individuals who are actively engaged in doing good work. It is the basic principle of Rotary that we can do much more together than we could ever do alone and Rotary accords recognition to organisations and individuals who render humanitarian service.
This is being done through the Rotary India Award, a national event, which has gained tremendous popularity and prestige over the years. This unique Award was instituted in 1992 by the Rotary Awards for Service to Humanity (India) Trust, set up by prominent Rotarians in India under the stewardship of PRIP Rajendra K Saboo soon after he became the President of Rotary International in 1991. The founder members of this Trust include Mr. I.K.Gujral, former Prime Minister of India, PRID Sudarshan Agarwal, who has just retired as Governor of the State of Sikkim, PRID O.P. Vaish, and PDG G.H. Singhania. All the former Directors of Rotary International and the current Director are the Trustees. PRIP Raja Saboo was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees from its inception till 2007 when PRID O.P. Vaish was unanimously elected as the Chairman. Rotary India Award has been recognised by the RI Board of Directors as an important activity by Rotarians.
Rotary clubs contributed Rs.6,00,000 to the corpus of the trust. PRIP Raja Saboo increased the corpus to Rs.11,00,000 with his own contribution and support from friends. The Rotary Awards for Service to Humanity (India) Trust was formed in 1991. It was in fulfilment of Raja’s vision that the Rotary India Award took shape the following year to recognise social activists and institutions working at the grass root levels for the welfare of the masses.
Rotary India Award carries a Citation and a cheque for Rs.2,00,000 and is presented every year to an individual or an institution chosen by an eminent Jury which is presided over by a former Chief Justice of India. Nominations are sponsored by Rotary District Governors and other eminent personalities. Each year’s Award is focused on a different theme. The Trust has so far given fifteen Awards.
The sixteenth Rotary India Award, for the year 2007, was focused on “Street Children: Rehabilitation.” This has been bagged by Rtn. N.S. Manihara from Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) who is heading the Srikrishna Chaitanya Vidya Vihara Children’s Trust. The Award will be presented to him at a function in New Delhi on August 6, 2008.
This prestigious award needs to be promoted by all the District Governors and the clubs should be encouraged to lookout for people and institutions in their area who are doing yeoman service to humanity. When we come together in friendship with people who share our vision we build understanding and cooperation. The Rotary India Award shows the world that Service Above Self is more than just a motto. By recognising the good work of people we tell the world that these words are our truth that defines us and Rotary.
Ashok Mahajan
Director, Rotary International
