The Indian Express Excellence in Governance Awards 2020-21, recently held at The Oberoi in New Delhi, honored 19 district magistrates selected from 400 entries across 182 districts in 29 states. These magistrates were recognized for their innovative work in various categories, such as agriculture, disaster management, e-governance, healthcare, education, and social welfare. Their initiatives, ranging from providing tele-medicine using high-speed wireless systems in a tribal village in Tamil Nadu to setting up a start-up incubator in Chhattisgarh, had a positive impact on people’s lives across the country.
The award ceremony, attended by Union Home Minister , also had former Union Law Minister and MP , Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, BJP leaders , and BJP National Media Head Anil Baluni.
The awards recognize innovative governance solutions at the district level. Shah emphasized the importance of good governance for development and progress in a democratic country. He stated that the spirit of the Constitution, which promotes equal opportunities and development for all, can only be achieved through good governance at the district level.
Viveck Goenka, Chairman and Managing Director of Group, highlighted that the awards showcase the best of public service in a democracy without the need for competition.
The winners were selected by a jury led by former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha. The jury included Wajahat Habibullah, Nirupama Rao, KM Chandrasekhar, and Amarjeet Sinha.
The event, attended by bureaucrats, politicians, and entrepreneurs, featured Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena, BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani, Ashok Chawla, Dr Rashmi Saluja, Rakesh Asthana, Shyam Bagri, AS Rajgopal, Ranen Banerjee, Subhrakant Panda, Vikram Shroff, Puneet Dalmia, G Asok Kumar, Yatin Gupte, and R Elangovan.
