TOI SOCIAL IMPACT AWARDS These were the least controversial awards It certainly brought tears of joys on the recipients and the presenters The select crowds of high and mighty were all praise.It touched the hearts and minds of every one present. For once the the exercise of conferring prestigious awards were without any controversies what so ever The individuals and organisations were in the field of social work, without ever dreaming and hoping for recognition . Hence there was no campaigning, canvassing, putting political pressure or influencing the outcome The awards in noway raised their image and they were not hungry for the public recognition or adulation The jury consisted of eminent personalities, who did their work of selection meticulously, without fear or favour This aspect is the greatness of these awards and need to be emulated by all such bodies conferring awards The individuals and the NGO`s were indiscreet in their functioning and existence ,but impacted heavily on their recipients, changed their course of life, existence and purposeful living It is praise worthy and sincere exercise ,catapulting unheard of social commitment in rural India The most prestigious Nobel Peace Prize appeared controversial, when Mahatma Gandhi, the Apostle of peace and non violence was outside its ambit There are organisations approaching individuals to confer awards for a fee Some individuals have fallen a prey for the lure and craving for such fictitious wards with glorified titles These individuals want to be recognised by dubious awards Many of Govt of India wards are canvassed by political influence and pressure and very often go the least deserving, so much so it is considered to be dishonour to be bestowed with such awards The politicians are very happy to seek any awards and mostly influence the distributions of Govt awards, if not for themselves then to their cronies Such awards create a division and discontent in the society TOI deserves kudos for this noble exercise, admired and appreciated by all and regretted by none Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
