Mahaveer Awards presented

Presenting 19th Mahaveer Awards at a function organised by Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation (BMF) here, he said “a survey among one lakh families in India underscores the value of our family system with the findings that two out of three individuals in our rural India are involving themselves in helping others in one way or other.” 

It was to be noted that 25 per cent of these families have members who have literacy not exceeding third standard,’ he remarked. 

“Charity should be seen as ‘sharing’ and not ‘giving’ because ‘sharing’ makes us feel humble than getting proud of ‘giving’. This is how our rulers of ancient times lead themselves,” he said. 

“I see the same kind of quality in Sugal Chand Jain who founded the BMF,” Gurumurthy said.

Gurumurthy presented Dr R V Ramani of Sankara Eye Care Institutions, Coimbatore, the award for Excellence in Medicine in recognition of his dedicated service, especially benefitting the economically and socially backward sections of the society. Other awardees included, Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, Bengaluru, under the Non-Violence and Vegetarianism category, Dr Sapam Nabakishore Singh of Assam for Excellence in Education and Shamshad Begum of Chhattisgarh for Community and Social Service. 

A cash prize of Rs 10 lakh was given to each category along with citation and a memento. 

Former Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy presided and released the 19th Mahaveer Award Day Brochure. 

He recalled the valuable contribution of the community and said. “the Jain community has been doing excellent work. At a time when violence is spreading across the world, this community is spreading non-violence and love. “I salute our Armed Forces for the work done to defend our borders,” he added.