Speeche's & Video's
Speech delivered by Mr. Virendar Mohan Trehan, President, FANS at the 6th National Amity Award Function on 26th September, 2008, New Delhi.
Welcome address by Shri Virendar Mohan Trehan, President, Foundation for Amity and National Solidarity on the occasion of the presentation of the "National Amity Award" to Shri Khushwant Singh, by Shri Somnath Chatterjee, hon'ble speaker, Lok Sabha, at Parliament annexe, New Delhi on September 26, 2008.
Respected Shri Som Nath Chatterjee, Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Khushwant Singh, Hon’ble Members of Parliament, Members of the Amity Award Board, Members of the Governing Council of the Foundation for Amityand National Solidarity, ladies and gentlemen.
Today is a memorable day, in the history of Foundation for Amity and National Solidarity. It is a rare occasion that two great sons of the soil – Shri Som Nath Chatterjee and Shri Khushwant Singh ji, are with us. With all our respectful feelings, we welcome you!
Shri Som Nath Chatterjee is a veteran Parliamentarian,having been elected to the Lok Sabha, 10 times. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Parliamentarian Award, in 1996. He was unanimously elected as the Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, in June 2004.
He upheld the highest value of Constitutional Proprietory,as the Lok Sabha Speaker and drew appreciation from countrymen across theboard. In fact, he raised the stature of our country, world-wide! We aregrateful to him for agreeing to grace this occasion!
31st October, 1984 was the tragic day when the then Prime Minister – Smt Indira Gandhi was assassinated. The communal disturbances which followed, reflected the dark moments of our history. A candle was lit. Foundation was born as a human response to the shameful events of November 1984 communal riots. It was January 1985, when four citizens – Late Avtar Singh Dhingra, Shri Navwabzada Aimaduddin Ahmed Khan (Durrumian), P L Joseph and myself – trying to overcome the agony and pain of their hearts wounded by the frenzy around, decided to do their bit to salvage the light from that darkness!
Foundation for Amity and National Solidarity is anon-political, non partisan social organization. Ideals of NationalIntegration, Social Harmony and universal togetherness has been propagated through more than 400 events, all over the country. The Foundation for morethan 2 decades has devoted itself to rejuvenate the spirit of Nationalism. Withits meticulous efforts, the Foundation is widely known throughout India and beyond.
The Foundation works at the grassroot level without any fanfare or publicity. It tries to carry the message of National Integration tofar flung areas through Inter-religious celebrations,Inter-University Youth Camps, Seminars, Workshops, Peace Marches, Sadbhavana Sabha and other activities. It has been successful in its endeavour to Infuse the spirit of Unity, Amity and Harmony across the nation, especially the youth through itsevents.
The Foundation has received recognition as an NGO affiliatedto the United Nations. The first prestigious C U Shah National Integration Award of Janambhoomi was presented to the Foundation in June 1994.
A few years back, the Foundation has decided to institute “National Amity Award”. The Award is given to a known Indian personality who has made exceptional contribution towards achievement of the objective sembraced by the Foundation. Earlier awardees are Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Late Shri Nani A Palkhivala, Late Jathedar Jiwan SinghUmranangal and Late Ms. Nirmala Despande. The National Amity Award Boardconstituted to make the selection comprised of former Cabinet Minister ShriVasant Sathe, former Governors Sarv. Shri M M Jacob and G. C. Saxena, Cabinet Minister Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde, Former Attorney General of India, Shri SoliSorabjee, Maj Gen (Retd) S.P. Nijhawan, Late Justice H.R. Khanna and Late Prof A M Khusro.
The National Amity Award Board has nominated unanimously Shri Khushwant ji for this coveted Award. The award consists of a token sum of Rs One Lakh, a Gold Medalion and a Citation.
We have gathered here today to honour such an eminentIndian. In fact, by giving his consent to accept the National Amity Award, ShriKhushwant Singh is honouring the Foundation for Amity and National Solidarity and its cause!
Shri Khushwant Singh is not new to the Foundation. Idistinctly remember, he along with Shri I K Gujral, participated in the Inaugural function organized by us, at the Chelmsford Club, Delhi in March1985. He always encouraged me for this cause – which is dear to him!
From the core of my heart and on behalf of my colleagues, Iext end to the 2 great sons of the soil Shri Som Nath Chatterjee and Shri Khushwant Singh a very warm welcome. Also I welcome all the friends, who have responded to our invitation, some of whom have travelled from Bangalore,Pathankot, Saharanpur, Bijapur, Karnataka, Chandigarh and Kolkatta!
FRIENDS – Foundation is a movement. In spite of divisive forces,we are committed to continue our efforts of propagating the message of Amityand National Solidarity.