The fourteenth Shri Guruji Puraskars were presented to Asian Agro Foundation, Deendayal Research Institute, New Delhi and women boxing champion Smt Meri Kom of Manipur. The function was held at Jalna in Maharashtra on February 22. RSS associated Jankalyan Samiti of Maharashtra presents the awards every year.
Each award carries cheque of Rs. 51,000, memento and a citation. The awards are presented to dedicated social workers, institutions, artists and players who have made a significant contribution in various fields every year.
According to Dr Narendra Desai, secretary of the Jankalyan Samiti many prominent people have been honoured by the Samiti during the last 13 years for their contribution in various fields.
The award for Agriculture was presented to Asian Agro History Foundation established in 1994 by Dr Yashwant Laxman Nene and eleven other scientists for their research work conducted by studying 500 years old Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions. These scriptures are available in India, China and South Asia. Dr Yashwant Nene on behalf of the Asian Agro Foundation received the award. The sports award was presented to Smt Meri Kom as recognition of her superiority for four years in women boxing championship. She had already won Arjun and Padamshri Awards.
The award for social education was bestowed upon Deendayal Research Institute, New Delhi, for its forty years of honest endeavor to develop a model of sustainable village development. This institution was founded by Shri Nanaji Deshmukh in 1968 with the help of local activists for giving a new dimension to development in India commensurate with the modern scientific world. Shri Abhay Mahajan on behalf of the Institute accepted the award. (FOC)
