STATE TIMES NEWS
JALANDHAR: Dr. S. P. Varma (Padma Shri), Vice President of Gandhi Global Family, was honoured with the Rotary World Changemaker Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards promoting Gandhian philosophy and values.
The award was presented by Rotarian Rohit Oberoi, District Governor of Rotary International District 3070, during the Annual District Conference held at The Grand Cabbana. The prestigious ceremony witnessed the participation of over 700 Rotarians from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Varma highlighted three important messages rooted in the spirit of service and Gandhian thought.
Firstly, he emphasized the need to reach out to the last suffering person in society by extending support, compassion and meaningful service, thereby ensuring that development and welfare reach the most vulnerable sections.
Secondly, he noted that in the contemporary world, to fulfil the vision of the founder of Rotary International, organisations must adopt micro-planning and focused action to effectively achieve their goals and create measurable impact.
Thirdly, Dr. Varma stressed the importance of following the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi in order to build a more peaceful, humane and livable world.
During his address, Dr. Varma also announced the posthumous conferment of the highest recognition of Gandhi Global Family – the “Mahatma Gandhi Award” – upon Paul Harris, founder of Rotary International, in recognition of his visionary leadership in establishing Rotary International in 1905 and inspiring generations towards humanitarian service.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Varma expressed his sincere gratitude to Rotary International for presenting him the Rotary World Changemaker Award.
Dr. S. P. Varma, a noted peace activist and social reformer from Jammu & Kashmir. He is recipient of the Padma Award (2012), an Honorary Doctorate (2017) from a UK university, the Lifetime Achievement Award (2024) and the Sadbhavana Award (1995) by the Government of J&K, Dr. Varma has devoted more than three decades to promoting national unity, communal harmony and peaceful coexistence.