The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today conferred the Chaudhary Charan Singh Awards 2024, honouring outstanding achievements in agriculture, rural development, and journalism.
Speaking at the event, Shri Dhankhar lauded the extraordinary legacy of Chaudhary Charan Singh, emphasizing his relentless dedication to rural development, farmers’ welfare, and inclusive growth.
“Chaudhary Charan Singh was one of the finest persons in the country. A person who encapsulates transparency, accountability, integrity, commitment to rural development, commitment to farmer, and was all throughout fearless in expression of his views,” stated the Vice-President.
Reflecting on his leadership, Shri Dhankhar said, “Chaudhary Charan Singh is defined by sublimity, statesmanship, farsightedness, and growth that is inclusive. No wonder he became the first Chief Minister of the largest state of the Republic of India, and then Prime Minister.”
Expressing concern over the lack of recognition of his contributions, he remarked, “It pains the heart when people are short-sighted in assessing the great contributions of this man. His astounding qualities, his deep dedication, and his knowledge of rural India are subjects of reflection for enlightened individuals worldwide.
A son of the soil, he was mindful not just of rural India but urban India as well, with a vision aligned with our civilisational ethos.” Addressing the awardees of the Chaudhary Charan Singh Awards 2024 in New Delhi today, the Vice-President said, “Agriculture is the spine of rural development.
Unless agriculture develops, the rural landscape cannot be changed. And unless the rural landscape changes, we cannot aspire to have a developed nation.” Discussing India’s economic trajectory, he added, “Undoubtedly, at the moment, India is on the rise as never before. Indisputably, our economy is blossoming.
We are the fifth largest globally and on track to becoming the third largest, ahead of Japan and Germany. But to be a developed nation by 2047, our income must increase eightfold a daunting challenge.”
Addressing this challenge, Shri Dhankhar stressed the need for strengthening the village economy: “Village economy can look up only when the farmer and their family are involved in marketing, value addition, and generating clusters all around, leading to self-sufficiency.
The greatest market we have is agricultural produce, yet farming communities are hardly involved with it. The farming sector must be prioritized by governments for it to become an engine of economic development.”
The Vice-President also underscored the essence of democracy: “Expression and dialogue define democracy. How democratic a nation is defined by the state of expression of its individuals and organizations.
For any democracy to succeed, expression and dialogue must go hand in hand with great responsibility on both sides.” Calling for accountability among parliamentarians, he said, “It is time for every thinking Indian to scratch his brains and to generate a deep sense of accountability with all those who are enjoined with obligations.
Make no mistake, I am referring to parliamentarians. People have learned to take disorder as order. There is no sense of revulsion. मैंउम्मीदकरताहूंलोगोंकीकलमचलेगी, लोगोंकेविचारचलेंगे, लोगमजबूरकरेंगेकिआपसोचिएआपक्योंगएथेवहां? I leave it with this thought.”
Reflecting on the Chaudhary Charan Singh Awards, the Vice-President emphasized their sustainability: “These awards, over a period of time, must be structured for posterity to be self-sustaining. Fiscal strength is fundamental for flexibility of functioning.
Anyone who has at heart the welfare of rural India, the welfare of the farmer—be it from the corporate sector, intelligentsia, or other walks of life—must come forward to nurture a trust like this, as we will not have for a long time to come another Chaudhary Charan Singh.”
The Chaudhary Charan Singh Awards 2024 celebrated remarkable contributions to agriculture, rural development, and journalism. The Kalam Ratna Award was presented to Ms. Neerja Chowdhury for her dedication to insightful journalism.
The Sewa Ratna Award was conferred upon Dr. Rajendra Singh, the “Waterman of India,” for his pioneering efforts in water conservation. The Krishak Utthan Award went to Dr. Firoz Hossain for advancing agricultural research and innovation.
Lastly, the Kisan Award was bestowed upon Mr. Pritam Singh for his contributions to agricultural excellence. Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.