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 Karuna
International conferred Karuna Ratna (Gem of Compassion) awards on
four eminent personalities for their exemplary service to the cause
of promoting understanding and compassion for all living beings. The
award ceremony was instituted by Surana and Surana International
Attorneys.
The awards were presented by Surjit Singh Barnala,
Governor of Tamil Nadu, on the occasion of 12th All India Conference
of Karuna Clubs on December 30 at Raj Bhavan, Guindy.
The recipients of the Karuna Ratna award were
Maneka Gandhi, chairperson, People for Animals, and former Union
Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Culture; D R Mehta,
founder, Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti and former Deputy
Governor, Reserve Bank of India; Dulichand Jain, president, Karuna
International and Vivekananda Educational Trust; and Dr Sadhana Rao,
secretary, Indian Institute of Animal Welfare.
Padam Tatia, conference chairman, welcomed the
gathering.
The Tamil Nadu Governor congratulated Karuna
International for promoting non-violence and compassion among
students for around 12 years through its 1,351 Karuna Clubs
throughout the country.
Future India would show to the rest of the world
that it will lead not only in science and technology but also in
maintenance of peace and harmony and in promotion of humanity and
unity, he added.
Talking about youth, he said, “Creation of an
atmosphere of love, affection, and promotion of human values among
the youth to strengthen the foundation of future India is the need
of the hour. Youth power should be explored towards doing good and
constructive work.”
Barnala further said, “The youth should be
moulded into men of good conduct and character with humbleness, love
and compassion. It is necessary that we take them on the right path.
The spirit of kindness and humaneness should be inculcated in the
youth right from their childhood. Voluntary organisations should
join hands with the educational institutions to nurture love,
compassion and affection in the youth.”
About terrorism, he said advanced technology,
cyber pathways and platforms had given unprecedented capabilities to
terrorist groups. “Pakistan’s former prime minister Benazir Bhutto
has fallen a prey to a terrorist attack. Terrorism in any form
should be put down severely. Unity is the strength of our nation.
Youth should not give any room for terrorism,” he said.
He congratulated the award winners and stated
that organisations should come out with plans to propagate universal
brotherhood and respect for other religions.
In her acceptance speech, Maneka Gandhi stressed
the importance of the award, as she said very few awards were given
to persons involved in animal welfare. She said not many people in
India have come forward to recommend Padma Shree for animal welfare
activists.
She stated that there were not enough legal
representatives in cases like banning jallikattu and 20 other cases
in the Supreme Court. Lobbying with politicians and media would be
fruitful, Maneka Gandhi said.
D R Mehta said around 2 per cent of the Indian
population were physically challenged and there were very few
institutions helping them. He said the NGO Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang
Sahayata Samiti was started with a view to help them and provide
them mobility and dignity. Mehta said artificial limbs and calipers
were provided in large numbers in Chennai.
U Bakialakshmi
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