Address Governor at the Presentation of the Parmarth Ratna Award to Shri Sajjan Jindal in Mumbai

Publish Date: October 23, 2016

Address by Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the Presentation of the Parmarth Ratna Award to Shri Sajjan Jindal at the programme organized by Parmarth Seva Samiti at Regal Room, Hotel Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai at 7 pm on Sunday 23 October 2016

Shri Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Member of the State Legislature, Shri Lakshminarayan Biyani, Chairman, Parmarth Seva Samiti, Shri Gopal Biyani, President, Shri O P Agarwal, Shri Madanlal Rathi, Shri Satyanarayan Agarwal, Shri Bishwanath Bharatiya, today’s Satkar Moorty and Chairman of Jindal Group Shri Sajjan Jindal, Smt Sangita Jindal, ladies and gentlemen,..

I am very happy to attend the Diwali Senha Milan organized by the Paramarth Seva Samiti and to present the Parmarth Ratna Award.

Last week, when members of the Parmarth Seva Samiti met me at Raj Bhavan and invited me to present the Parmarth Ratna Award, I agreed to the request then and there itself.

There were two reasons. The first and foremost reason was the nominee for this year’s Award: Shri Sajjan Jindal.

The second reason for my acceptance was that I was deeply impressed by the vast, varied and sustained good work done by the organization since its establishment in 2008.

I understand that the Samiti has been organizing medical and health check up camps, providing free dialysis facility to kidney patients, donating ambulances, remitting school fees and providing textbooks to poor children, running a Community Kitchen Scheme for poor children, arranging accommodation for meritorious students pursuing higher education, providing financial assistance to Gau Shalas and doing such other noble works.

I congratulate the Chairman, President, Trustees and Members of the Parmarth Seva Samiti for continuing with the noble tradition of rendering selfless service to the economically weaker sections of society.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I was at once impressed by the name of the organization – Parmarth Seva Samiti. It has two noble words- Parmarth and Seva.

Parmarth has a deep spiritual meaning. Parmarth doesn’t mean charity alone. It is a realization that God resides within every human being, in every living being and even non living beings.

Parmarth is compassion. Parmarth is empathy. Parmarth is the feeling of gratitude and gratefulness towards Almighty God for what he has given to us.

Seva or Service has been regarded as a great virtue in Indian philosophy. The importance of Seva has been highlighted by the Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest scripture revered by people, especially by the Sikhs.

A verse in the Guru Granth Sahib says that one who performs selfless Seva without desire for reward will certainly attain liberation.

Parmarth and Seva have been an integral to the Indian ethos. The work of the organization therefore deserves to be appreciated.

Sisters and Brothers,

Visit any town and village in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and other places. You will find schools, colleges and Dharam Shalas opened by the Marwari community. These schools and Dharam shalas have rendered matchless service to society. I do not think any other community has done as much public good as the Marwaris have done. I have come here to say that I am truly proud of each one of you.

Modern history of Mumbai is replete with several examples of the acts of philanthropy practiced by generous business leaders and their families.

I was impressed to note that the Mahim causeway that connected Mahim and Bandra in the year 1845 was built from the large sum donated by Lady Jamsetjee, wife of Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy.

The Sir JJ Hospital in Mumbai, the JJ School of Art, and other institutions owe their existence to the philanthropy of the Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy family.

Likewise the contributions of Jewish family of David Sassooon to the making of Mumbai cannot be forgotten. The city also owes a great deal to the philanthropy of Nana Shankershett, the architect of Modern Mumbai.

In the modern era, philanthropy has transformed itself into CSR. While Parmarth comes from the bottom of one’s heart, CSR provisions have come from our Parliament.

Through the JSW Foundation and the ‘Make a Wish Foundation’, Shri Sajjan Jindal and his illustrious wife Smt Sangita Jindal have been transforming lives and empowering communities. I was pleased to note that the JSW Foundation has touched the lives of more than one million people by providing them opportunities for a better future.

I am therefore extremely happy that the Parmarth Seva Samiti has decided to present the Parmarth Ratna Award to Shri Sajjan Jindal. The award belongs, in equal measure, to Smt Sangita Jindal.

I congratulate Shri Sajjan Jindal and Smt Sangita Jindal for setting an example for business leaders and the community at large through their outstanding social work.

Ladies and gentlemen,

There is an ancient wisdom. Rivers don’t drink their own water; Trees don’t eat their own fruits and the Sun doesn’t shine for its own pleasure. Living for each other is the rule of Nature.

I think human life is incomplete if there is no aspect of giving to one’s personality. ‘Giving back to society’ is a Samskara and I do feel that we must imbibe this Samskara on every child.

As Governor I have a responsibility in respect of administration in the scheduled areas. Last week I was presented a report on the state of Tribal Ashram Shalas in the State. A lot needs to be done to strengthen our Ashram Shalas or Residential Schools for tribal children. A lot also needs to be done to improve nutrition of tribal women and children to stop malnutrition. I think organizations like Parmarth Seva Samiti must work closely with the Government in tackling the real problems of the people.

I am happy that the Parmarth Seva Samiti has made it a tradition to organize Diwali Sneha Sammelan and to promote charity during the festival celebrations. We must give a definite direction to our charitable work to increase its effectiveness.

With these words, I congratulate the Parmarth Seva Samiti for its excellent work and wish the organization God Speed in its future endeavours. I also wish all of you a very happy Diwali.

Thank you

Jai Hind Jai Maharashtra