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The Vice President, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat presented the first Dnyaneshwar Award to noted social worker and veteran leader, Shri Nanaji Deshmukh at a function at the Vice President House here today. The award has been instituted by the Dnyaneshwar Vidyapeeth of Pune in the Silver jubilee year of its existence.
Speaking on the ocassion, Shri Shekhawat said that Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, through his integrated rural development programme, has revolutionalised the living conditions in 500 villages around Chitrakut through application of science & technology in an indigenous manner and making the villagers self sufficient and self reliant in their economic and social life.
Shri Shekhawat said that it is a paradox that India has a tradition of scientific thinking and technological advancements dating back to ancient era, yet today whenever we talk of science we only think of the western concept of science, which is based on industrial exploitation resulting into environmental degradation. It is high time that we should dedicate ourselves to maintain the delicate balance between development and environmental preservation. Our Vedas are a significant testimony to this concept and veterans like Nanaji Deshmukh have shown that even in the present times it is possible to have sustainable development applying the principles of Science and Technology in an innovative manner based on local needs and resources.
The Vice Chancellor of the Dnyaneshwar Vidyapeeth and former Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Manohar Joshi, former Union Minister, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi and a number of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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