“Too often the community views the businessmen’s aims as a means of selfish gain rather than a step towards advancement of general welfare. That impression can be removed only if business becomes fully alive to its social responsibilities and helps our society to function in harmony as one organic whole.” – Lal Bahadur Shastri
Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, a firm believer in social responsibilities of business enterprise, with moral and ethical attributes of ‘Mahatma’, was dedicated to the welfare of common man. The constitution of Administrative Reforms Commission, to streamline Public Administration, was one among many steps that Shastri Ji took to make administration quick and responsive.
His vision was translated into reality when the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration was set up in Mussoorie by the Government of India.
To uphold the vision of Shastri Ji, LBSIM has instituted the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for excellence in Public Administration, Academics and Management.
The annual award honours an exceptionally outstanding Indian, who is a distinguished business leader, management practitioner, public administrator, educator or institution builder, for their sustained individual contributions and achievements. The honour carries a cash award of Rupees Five Lakh plus a Citation and a Plaque. The awardee’s name is inscribed on the Roll of honour of LBSIM and he/she is designated as Lal Bahadur Shastri fellow.
The award was presented by the Hon’ble President at a ceremony held on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at Auditorium, Rashtraparti Bhawan Cultural Centre, New Delhi.
The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented the 18th Lal Bahadur Shastri National award to noted social reformer and founder of Sulabh International, Bindeshwar Pathak for his “immense” contribution towards getting rid of manual scavenging. Dr. Pathak has developed and implemented, on a pan India scale, a low cost and appropriate toilet technology popularly known as the Sulabh Shauchalaya system. He is the Brand Ambassador for Swachh Rail Mission of Indian Railways and his work is considered pioneering in social reform, especially in the field of sanitation and hygiene.
Speaking on the occasion, the president said the occasion revived memories of former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. “He was an exceptional leader who believed in simple living and gave the slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’,” he said. Terming Dr. Pathak as the most “deserving person” for the award named after Shastri, the President said the 74-year-old sociologist had “contributed immensely in the direction of getting rid of the practice of manual scavenging”. He said Dr. Pathak had contributed to making revolutionary changes in society and has put into practice the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar and Shastri. Dr. Pathak, after whom Mayor of New York had declared April 14, 2016 as the ‘Dr Bindeshwar Pathak International Day’, was conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 1991. He complimented the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management for honouring people who have made valuable contributions.
The programme started with the arrival of the president at the venue, followed by National Anthem. A welcome address was presented by Shri Anil Shastri, Chairman LBSIM. This was followed by reading of the award and the citation, presentation of the award to the awardee, acceptance speech by the awardee, address by the president. The ceremony was then concluded by a vote of thanks from the Director, LBSIM followed by the National Anthem.
On 11th October 2017, a lecture was organised on “Social Change through Peace and Non-Violence” at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Teen Murti Bhavan, New Delhi. The guest of honour for the event was Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak. There, as a symbol of gratitude, Dr. Pathak announced that the award money of ₹5 lac given to him as part of Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award should be utilized for instituting a fellowship programme at the institute. LBSIM, Dwarka thanks Dr. Pathak for sharing his thoughts and motivating the students to contribute towards the betterment of society.