Many things amaze me in India and one that both amazes and inspires is the Jamnalal Bajaj Awards – for the “unsung heroes” who inspire many through selfless effort in the tradition of Gandhian values.
My good friend eminent scientist and regular visitor to Australia, Dr R A Mashelkar, is Chairman of the Selection Committee of the Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development and a Member of the Council of Advisors for the whole scheme.
Dr Mashelkar said: “The fundamental issue is about Gandhian values and creating an inclusive society by dismantling inequalities.”
The Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi is one of the trustees of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation and a jury member for the Awards: “Changemakers firstly need to understand the trend of the change and then change the direction to positivity, righteousness, justice, equality and humanity.”
My country – Australia – has seen a decline in the reputation of major institutions and corporate Australia is in the firing line as the Banking and Finance Commission finds unethical behaviour is rife. Beyond the so-called ethic of “building shareholder returns”, no Australian business leader has had anything constructive to say on corporate ethics. Very disappointing. We could learn much from this foundation and the great Mahatma Gandhi.
More information about this wonderful foundation and the awards is at http://www.jamnalalbajajfoundation.org/
Into India 