Actors Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das were among 13 others who were awarded the Bharatiya Manavata Vikas Puraskar here today for their contribution to the society and championing the cause of equity, social justice and human welfare.
Organised by private media company Daily Indian Media, the ceremony witnessed eminent personalities from politics, business, academics and entertainment.
Speaking at the ceremony, former Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh said that compassion in education was important for the betterment of humanity.
"To develop humanity in people, it is important that our education includes compassion. What is the use of such an education that raises a citizen who spreads hatred," he said.
He added that people who work for the society need to be recognised for their efforts.
"It is a great event where those people are recognised who are anonymously working for the society and I think it's absolutely fantastic," he told PTI.
Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, lawyer Pramila Nesargi and Flavia Agnes, activist Bezwada Wilson, economist Bibek Debroy, social worker Uma Tuli, dalit rights activist Lenin Raghuvanshi, human rights activist Pravin Patkar, green designer Anita Ahuja, and social entrepreneur Atul Satija also received the honour.
Shabnam Singh, founding member of 'YouWeCan' NGO and mother of Yuvraj Singh, remembered the time when her son was battling cancer but he fought it with "determination".
"The effect of chemo was so bad that it took everything from him, but he had one thing on his side, determination. He fought! It has made him a better person, he has realised the value of life and value of good eating habits," she said.
The NGO run by the mother-son duo educates children who have lost all their resources fighting cancer.
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