Rajiv Gandhi award for Jaipur social worker

Renowned social worker from Jaipur D R Mehta was conferred with the 20th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award by Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here recently.

AICC treasurer and MP Motilal Vora, who is the secretary of award committee, said that the award was given to Mehta, the founder-chairman of Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), in recognition of his "outstanding contribution towards promotion of communal harmony, peace and goodwill."

The award, given on the birth anniversary of the former prime minister, carries a citation and Rs 5 lakh in cash.

The BMVSS, based in Jaipur, helps the physically challenged, particularly the poor, by providing devices such as artificial limbs and callipers.Former recipients of the award include Mother Teresa, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Sunil Dutt, S N Subbarao and Dilip Kumar.