Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, will be conferred with the Chintamanrao Deshmukh National Award this year for his remarkable contribution to public service. The award ceremony will be held on July 29 at the New Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi. The event is being organized by Pune-based social organization Sarhad, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar will honor Gadkari on the occasion.
According to the NGO Sarhad, this award is given in memory of Chintamanrao Deshmukh, India's first indigenous RBI Governor and former Union Finance Minister. Deshmukh took over as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in 1943 and served as the Finance Minister of India from 1950 to 1956. This award has been recently initiated, and its first edition was presented to former diplomat Dhananjay Muley.
Also to be Honored with Lokmanya Tilak National Award
Nitin Gadkari will also be honored with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2024. This prestigious award was announced on Wednesday. Established in 1983 by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust, this honor is given to individuals who have made significant contributions in the fields of nation-building and social service.
The award ceremony will be held on August 1, on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's 105th death anniversary. Dr. Rohit Tilak, Chairman of the Trust, stated that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, as well as former Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, are also expected to be present on this occasion.
Appreciation for Gadkari's Contribution
While announcing the award, Dr. Rohit Tilak praised Nitin Gadkari's contribution. He said that Gadkari, considering roads as the key to development, has created a b highway network across the country. Through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, he has played a significant role in strengthening India's infrastructure.
The award includes a memento, a citation, and a cash prize of one lakh rupees. Gadkari receiving both awards is considered a symbol of the widespread acceptance of his public life and works.
