K.A.Viswanathan
Mumbai: Union minister Nitin Gadkari , Dr. D.R. Mehta, Founder and Chairman Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur, Dr. Mrs.Manju Sharma, Distinguished woman scientist and Chairman National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avadeshanand Giri from Haridwar and Prof Huang Baosheng, Sanskrit scholar from China were conferred SIES Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati National Eminence Award for 2019.
The awards were instituted by the South Indian Education Society in 1998 in memory of the late Seer of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati and are given in the fields of Community leadership , Science and Technology, Public leadership and Social thinkers to those who had made outstanding contributions in the above four fields. A special award was also instituted to an International scholar in Sanskrit.
Each award carries a cash prize of Rs. 2.5 lakh, a citation, a huge ornamental lamp and a scroll, said Dr.V.Shankar, president of SIES. Mr. Tang Guocai , Chinese Consul general received the award on behalf of Chinese scholar Huang Baosheng. All awards were presented by V.Shankar.
Mr. Nitin Gadkar in his thanks giving address said by December 2020, Roads connecting Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yemunotri will be ready and this will help pilgrims to take ‘Char Dham’ yatra conveniently throughout the year. He said contract worth Rs.12,000 crore have been awarded. In addition a Mumbai- Delhi green highway will also be built in a couple of years, which will reduce the distance between the Cities by 120 kms.
Before start of the programme, the students of the SIES Vedapatashala recited Strusthi vachakam. The citations of the awardees were read in Sanskrit. All the awardees were received with NCC guard of honour and Poorna Kumbam by Vedic pandits.
