Citizens must continuously move forward with commitment to the values and vision enshrined in the Constitution, and work to ensure political, economic and social justice for all, said the former Chief Justice of India Justice Bhushan Gavai on Wednesday. He was speaking as the chief guest at the sixth edition of Lokmat Parliamentary Awards ceremony organised by the Lokmat Media Group at New Maharashtra Sadan in the national capital. Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale, former Chief Election Commissioner Dr S Y Quraishi, Founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti Acharya Dr Lokesh Muni, Chairman of the Lokmat Parliamentary Awards Jury Board and MP Praful Patel, Chairman of Editorial Board of Lokmat Media Group and former Member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda, Editor-in-Chief of Lokmat Media Group Rajendra Darda, Managing Director of Lokmat Media Group Devendra Darda and other dignitaries were seated on the dais. On this occasion, eight members of Parliament from both the Houses were honoured with the Lokmat Parliamentary Awards in various categories.

 

The awardees included Digvijaya Singh (Lifetime Achievement Award - Rajya Sabha), T R. Baalu (Lifetime Achievement Award - Lok Sabha), Sanjay Singh (Best Parliamentarian Award - Rajya Sabha), Jagdambika Pal (Best Parliamentarian Award - Lok Sabha), Dola Sen (Best Woman Parliamentarian Award - Rajya Sabha), Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo (Best Woman Parliamentarian Award - Lok Sabha), Sudha Murty (Best Debutant Parliamentarian Award - Rajya Sabha) and Iqra Choudhary (Best Debutant Parliamentarian Award - Lok Sabha). Justice Gavai said the three pillars of democracy -- legislature, judiciary and executive -- are all working towards delivering justice to citizens. The Constitution grants citizens the right to social, economic and political justice.

 

While Parliament enacts laws, the judiciary safeguards those laws and rights. The underlying objective is to reduce inequality and promote equality in the country. Dr S Y Quraishi said the opposition is often seen engaged in confrontation more than dialogue and discussion in Parliament. However, when meaningful debates take place, they instill a sense of pride. Initiatives like the Lokmat Parliamentary Awards will inspire the MPs to perform better. Ramdas Athawale noted that although MPs may belong to different political parties, the nation is one for all. In his distinctive style, he praised former CJI Justice Gavai for his commendable contribution to society. Acharya Dr Lokesh Muni stated that communal extremism and caste-based fanaticism are enemies of democracy.

 

Praising the Lokmat Media Group’s consistent efforts to promote social harmony, he recalled the all-faith conference organised in Nagpur. The Jury Board chairman Praful Patel clarified that the selection of awardees was carried out in a completely impartial manner, adding that these are among the most prestigious awards given to parliamentarians by a non-parliamentary institution. Earlier, Dr Darda delivered the introductory address while Rajendra Darda proposed a vote of thanks. At the outset, tributes were paid to former speaker of Lok Sabha and former Union minister Shivraj Patil by observing two-minute silence. The programme was conducted by Shweta Shukla Shelgaonkar.