Air India CMD Ashwani lohani, lucknow Metro Managing Director Kumar Keshav and National Skill Development Council COO on Skilling India Jayant Krishna were the recipients of the first Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Award in different categories on Saturday.
Former bureaucrat and chairman of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Award committee Dr Alok Ranjan handed over the awards to the recipients. Former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr. SY Qureshi, who was the chief guest, in his address on 'Innovations to improve the election process and democracy' said that low turnout had been the bane of India's elections, raising questions on elected representatives' legitimacy.
Keshav — one of the five recipients of this award — in his presentation on innovation in governance said that timely and up-to-the-mark delivery of the work always scripts your agenda and success. Keshav has also served as the Project Director-Rail with Hancock Coal Pty ltd. Brisbane, Australia.
Other dignitaries present were Dr Varish Sinha, Chief State Election Commissioner and former chief secretary, Gujarat, Prof V Ramgopal Rao, (Director-IIT Delhi), Prof Ajay Pandey, (Dean, IIM Ahmadabad), Javeed Ahmed, DGP, Uttar Pradesh and others.
