New Delhi. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday expressed regret that these days some people are given prestigious status through ‘event management’. He also said that there has been a change in this and Padma awards are given only to those who deserve it. The Vice President said that former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri defined ‘public service’.
Dhankhar said, “There are personalities who do not need ‘event management’ or any artificial way of maintaining themselves. They live in our memories. They guide us, inspire us.” The Vice President made this comment while presenting the 25th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Excellence Award, 2024 to Rajshree Birla, Chairperson of Aditya Birla Center for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, here.
Dhankhar said in his address, “We are living in a time where people are given prestigious status through ‘event management’. People in public life are presented at a level which is difficult to digest.” He said, “But now a big change has come. For example, Padma awards are being given to those who deserve it. This is the reason why the credibility of this award has increased further.” Dhankhar said that on hearing the name of Lal Bahadur Shastri, patriotism comes to mind.
He said, “Shastri ji has defined public service. He stood for self-sacrifice. Shastri ji set an example not through his teachings, but through his conduct and behavior.” Dhankhar said that when there was a hunger crisis in India, the entire country stood with him. He was the first person who encouraged people’s participation through a clarion call.