New Delhi, Oct 10 (PTI) President Ram Nath Kovind todaypresented an award to noted social reformer and founder ofSulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak for his "immense"contribution towards getting rid of manual scavenging.
The President presented this year's Lal Bahadur ShastriNational Award for Excellence in Public Administration,Academics and Management to Pathak at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Speaking on the occasion, Kovind said the occasionrevived memories of former Prime Minister Shri Lal BahadurShastri.
"He was an exceptional leader who believed in simpleliving and gave the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'," he said.
Terming Pathak as the most "deserving person" for theaward named after Shastri, the President said the 74-year-oldsociologist had "contributed immensely in the direction ofgetting rid of the practice of manual scavenging".
Kovind said Pathak had contributed to makingrevolutionary changes in society and has put into practice theideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar and Shastri.
Pathak, after whom Mayor of New York had declared April14, 2016 as the 'Dr Bindeshwar Pathak International Day', wasconferred with the Padma Bhushan in 1991.
He complimented the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute ofManagement for honouring people who have made valuablecontributions.
The annual award honours an exceptionally outstandingIndian, who is a distinguished business leader, managementpractitioner, public administrator, educator or institutionbuilder, for their sustained individual contributions andachievements.
Pathak has developed and implemented, on a pan Indiascale, a low cost and appropriate toilet technology popularlyknown as the Sulabh Shauchalaya system.
He is the Brand Ambassador for Swachh Rail Mission ofIndian Railways and his work is considered pioneering insocial reform, especially in the field of sanitation andhygiene. PTI SKL MRJMRJ.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.