The Hindu : National : Lokamanya Tilak award for Sheila Dikshit

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National

Lokamanya Tilak award for Sheila Dikshit

Amruta Byatnal

For her vision and ability to lead Delhi towards progress

PUNE: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was awarded this year's Lokmanya Tilak award here on Sunday, on the 90th death anniversary of Bal Gangadhar Lokmanya Tilak.

Presenting the award, Dr. Deepak Tilak, Lokmanya's grandson and Trustee of the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust, said it was Ms. Dikshit's vision for Delhi and her ability to lead the city towards progress made her deserve the award. “Lokmanya always said that service to the nation is service to God. And Ms. Dikshit has proved that it can be done,” Dr. Tilak said.

Accepting the award, Ms. Dikshit said,” This award is not for Sheila Dikshit. It is for Delhi.” She talked about the relevance and importance of Lokmanya Tilak in today's times. ”Tilak does not belong to Pune alone or to Maharashtra, he belongs to Delhi and to India,” she emphasised. She added that Tilak's declaration of ‘Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it' still echoed in the corners of India and inspired many to fight for their rights.

Congratulating Ms. Dikshit on making Delhi an ideal place and being an ideal leader, Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said that she had made Tilak's dream of a truly independent India come true. He praised her for her contribution to the Commonwealth Games. “Our demand for 5000 MW of electricity was promptly met with by the Chief Minister. Delhi now has surplus power. Ms. Dikshit has made it possible with the political will and push,” he said.

However, Ms. Dikshit refused to comment about the Games. “I don't know anything about it and I will not say anything,” she told reporters.

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