Press Note 2007
At MIT awards, V-P stresses right to life with dignity

Pune, February 3 : Vice-President Bhairov Singh Shekhawat has said not honouring the fundamental right to live with human dignity can lead to disastrous effect on our democracy. Shekhawat was speaking on the occasion of giving away the Bharat Asmita National Awards for the year 2007 today. MIT Group Of Institutes had organized Bharat Asmita Award ceremony at Vighyan Bhavan, New Delhi, today.

Former chief justice of India Y.K.Sabharwal, was Chief Guest of the ceremony. Other dignitaries on the dias present were, Dr. Vishwanath Karad, Founder Director of MIT group of Institutes, Mr.T.N.Sheshan, Senior Scientist Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, Dr. Yashpal and Shri Rahul Karad, Convenor, Bharat Asmita National Awards.

The Bharat Asmita Awards were instituted in 2005 by the MAAER’s MIT Group of Institutes to recognize and honour leaders of excellence for their innumerable contributions to our motherland. The aim is to highlight the achievements of these great personalities and to inspire the young generation to take a lead from their exemplary lives.

Awards were given to:
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, member of Parliament – Bharat Asmita Janapratinidhi Shreshtha Special Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, Hon’ble Member of parliament, - Bharat Asmita Jana Pratinidhi Shreshtha
IIM-Bangalore Director Prakash Apte, Bharat Asmita Acharya Shreshtha – Best Teacher in Management Indian Express group CEO and Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta, Bharat Asmita Jana Jagaran Shteshta.
Munnabhai director Rajkumar Hirani – Bharat Asmita Jana Jagaran Shreshtha NDTV Managing Editor Barkha Dutt for 2006.
The award carries a grand citation, trophy and a cash award of  Rs. 1,25,000(Rupees One lakh twenty five thousand only).

Congratulating the recipients, Shekhawat said they “represent the finest spirit of excellence in their respective fields.” “We are fortunate to have a society, which has always celebrated excellence and creativity,” he said. Elaborating on the fundamental right to life with dignity, Shekhawat said, “We have not been able to provide dignified living” to the poor, as a result of which “ their right to human dignity is grossly violated.”

Former Chief Jjustice of India Y K Sabharwal, complimenting the country’s Constitution, said its provisions can be interpreted differently and this can have positive effects too.
Dr. Prakash Apte, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Barakha Dutt, Rajkumar Hirani expressed their views. Mr. Kishan Sharma, compered programme competently.
Dr. Vishwanath Karad welcomed the guests.
Shri Rahul Karad gave vote of thanks.
The programme started with ‘World peace Prayer and concluded with National Anthem.