MADHAV AWARDEES

Suresh Kumar Sharma, an alumnus of The Scindia School, exemplifies in his life and work the spirit of the institution for he has combined his belief and expertise in traditional Indian medical science with modern research techniques. While he was in school, Principal J L Dar wrote: “Suresh Kumar Sharma has been a                well-behaved student, possessing an excellent character. He was promoted to the rank of School Prefect and he acquitted himself well in this capacity.” Suresh graduated from School as an outstanding             all-rounder and a leader with a sense of commitment and determination.  He won the Individual Championship in Athletics in 1965-66 and proved his mettle in dramatics, debating, elocution, woodwork and stone carving.  He did a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and secured further a graduation in Law and a Diploma in Business Management. He was young when he took over the mantle as the Managing Director of Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan Private Limited, which was established by his father in 1917.  There was no looking back, as Suresh led the company to greater heights and took it to Kenya, Ireland, Germany, Belgium and Russia by building effective business partnerships.  Today the company has become a household name in healthcare and enjoys the confidence of people across social strata.  Suresh Sharma can be duly credited with taking traditional Indian wisdom to the world through his modern marketing skills, along with the scientific research programme at the Siddhayu Ayurvedic Research Foundation, which he set up to produce various ayurvedic and herbal products, including cosmetics. The Scindia School instilled in Suresh a commitment for preservation of wildlife and environment. He set up wind turbine generators of 50 megawatt capacities in Karnataka and Maharashtra.  He developed over 500 acres of land for cultivation of herbal plants and has given a significant boost to wildlife tourism through his resorts in Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks and a hotel in Khajuraho.   He set up the Vidharbha Paper Mills and Shakti Offset Limited, both of which enjoy landmark status in central India. Shining examples of his ventures abroad are the coal mines he runs in Sumatra, Indonesia, which produce 15,000 metric tons of high grade coal per month. During his decade long tenure as the Vice-President of the Charitable Regional Cancer Hospital in Nagpur, Suresh donated a full ward and a Dharamshala for the benefit of patients with limited means.   He is the Joint Managing Trustee of Ramnarayan Vaidya Ayurveda Research Trust set up to promote the study of Ayurveda and in 1983 he instituted an annual award of Rs 2 lakhs for outstanding contribution to this field. This is recognized as the most prestigious award in Ayurveda and is presented by His Excellency the President of India or by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Suresh Sharma was duly nominated for the ‘Lokmat Maharashtrian of the year’ award in 2011 in the category of Industrialists. He has been involved in a significant manner with a variety of prestigious organisations that contribute to education, business, healthcare and sports.   A keen sportsman himself, Suresh was the President of the Vidharbha Hockey Association and the Treasurer of the Vidarbha Cricket Association for about 10 years. He took the initiative to bring Test Match Cricket to Nagpur. A philanthropist, Suresh Sharma is an example for the younger members of The Scindia School fraternity to emulate.  His modern approach to entrepreneurship and his deep-rooted commitment to the people and tradition of the land, make him an inspiring role-model. Today, The Scindia School acknowledges Suresh Kumar Sharma as an Old Boy of Eminence for his exemplary business acumen with deep commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and for his outstanding contribution to promotion of Traditional Indian Medical Science, by conferring upon him the Madhav Award 2013.

Ramalingam Parasuram, an alumnus of The Scindia School, exemplifies in his life and work the fundamental values that the institution stands for. Awarded a merit scholarship by the Government of India, Parasuram joined the school and justified his selection not only by his performance in academics but also by the dedication and excellence he displayed through his participation in a large range of sports, cultural events and community service.  His leadership quality and his exceptional ability to work with a diverse group of people were established from an early age as he was awarded the A-Level Certificate for National Cadet Corps Junior Division (Naval Wing). He was a keen debator and a member of the school dramatics team. He did his Graduation in Electrical Engineering with distinction. Inculcated with true values of social responsibility and concerns for the drawn-trodden, he joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1978. He served with distinction as Collector of districts Sidhi, Satna and Bastar, before serving the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the Government of India in several implementational and policy level functions in sectors as diverse as agriculture, rural development, information technology, dairy development, technical education and skills development. Parasuram served a term as the Lester B. Pearson Fellow in public administration at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. As Minister (Agriculture) at the Indian Embassy he has represented India at the three United Nations Agencies in the Food and Agriculture sector, with headquarters in Rome. During the last few years he has been instrumental in planning and implementing programmes in the State of Madhya Pradesh. The State has achieved the highest growth rate in the country in agricultural production during the last five years. Recognising the need for governance reforms and improving public service delivery, he is leading a pan-governmental effort of an ambitious programme for re-engineering all the social sector benefit schemes and make their delivery people-centric through the use of information technology. Ramalingam Parasuram throughout his career has stood tall as one of the most outstanding officers of the Madhya Pradesh Cadre of the IAS.  His total transparency, courage, ability to ensure successful implementation of projects and a highly distinguished reputation built consistently over a long period of time led deservedly to his appointment as the Chief Secretary and Head of Administration of the State of Madhya Pradesh on 30 April 2012. He is an example of the true definition of a public servant as he approached his duty with humility and in the spirit of service. Today, The Scindia School acknowledges Ramalingam Parasuram as an Old Boy of Eminence for his outstanding contribution in the area of Public Administration and to the Nation by conferring upon him the Madhav Award for 2012

Anand Rao Pawar, an alumnus of The Scindia School exemplifies in his life and work the fundamental values that the institution stands for. The promise of an illustrious career ahead was apparent during Anand Pawar’s tenure at The Scindia School. The then Principal, Mr. K C Shukla’s observation of this ideal student was – “he is a boy of exceptional ability and varied interests. He has maintained his first class academic standards always. He is a gifted artist and produced some interesting paintings. He is one of the best actors of the School.” Anand Pawar carried out the duties of a House Prefect in Class X and a School Prefect in his final year. He led the Shivaji House Swimming Team. The walls of many classrooms and the exhibition boards of the School were adorned by his paintings. He acted in Founder’s Day plays in English and Hindi with equal ease. Anand Pawar graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai in Metallurgical Engineering in 1971. As a true Scindian he followed the principle of duty to the society before self and joined the Indian Police Service in 1972, giving up the lucrative career options in engineering and never looked back. Anand Pawar in his service with the police, made a significant contribution to eliminate anti-social activities. His remarkable success in curbing armed political activism and terrorism in the State through exemplary courage and determination was recognized by the Madhya Pradesh Government in a special publication in 2007 to acknowledge his landmark achievements. For Anand Pawar call of duty to take up new challenges is the ultimate reward. He was on special deputation to North East India to curb political insurgency and was deservedly honoured with the Director General’s Commendation Disk and the Kathin Sewa Medal for his services. He underwent special counter terrorism courses in the United States of America and United Kingdom. He won the prestigious Meritorious Services Medal and the President’s Medal for Distinguished Services. He headed the elite Rapid Action Force formed by the Government of India to combat communal violence anywhere in the country. Anand Pawar retired as the Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh in 2008. His zest for life compelled him to dedicate his time and energy to conservation of wildlife. He is an active member of the Gondwana Nature Conservation Society. He did extensive wildlife photography in Africa. He writes prolifically about the Police and diverse social issues for Hindustan Times, Swadesh and other publications. Anand Pawar, with his humility, probity, integrity and adherence to high moral principles, established himself as a true role model for the younger generation. While discharging his duties as a police officer, he displayed creative problem solving skills with prime focus on welfare of the citizens, which earned him respect and affection from his colleagues and the people he served. Today, The Scindia School acknowledges Anand Pawar as an Old Boy of Eminence for his outstanding contribution to the police department and to the Nation by conferring upon him the Madhav Award for 2011.

An alumnus of The Scindia School exemplifies in his life and work the aspiration of the Alma mater to produce global leaders with an Indian ethos. Anurag Kashyap through all his creative work in the area of film making represents this ideal in its true spirit. Anurag Kashyap joined the school in 1983 in Class VII and passed out in 1989. There were many occasions even while at school when he proved his intellectual courage to question the stereotype and stand by his own conviction. He embraced the world of words and ideas and spent many hours in the school library.

Renaissance man is what The Scindia School aspires to see in every Old Boy of the institution - a man who demonstrates a spirit of adventure in physical, intellectual and social activities. Amar Nath Dar truly lived the ideals of the school all his life.

Samer Pal Singh Dhillon passed out from the Scindia School in 1965. He joined the Indian Army and was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery on Dec 21 1969. In the course of his distinguished career he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff. He also had the distinction of being appointed Colonel Commandant of the Regiment of Artillery, a rare honour in the Indian Army. Samer Pal Singh Dhillon held important Command, Staff and instructional appointments. He commanded a Field Artillery Regiment and an Infantry Brigade in J&K, the famous ‘Bison Division’ and the elite ‘Desert Corps’. His staff assignments included tenure in the Directorate General of Military Operations in Army Headquarters and as Major General Staff in Headquarters, Northern Command. He played a key role in the modernization of the Indian Army and in advising the Chief of the Army Staff on United Nation Troops deployment. He has a brilliant academic profile. He attended the Long Gunnery Staff Course at School of Artillery, at Deolali, the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington, and the National Defence College at New Delhi. He also attended the prestigious Command and General Staff course at Fort Leavenworth, USA. The General also served as an instructor at the School of Artillery, Devlali, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the National Defence College, New Delhi. Samer Pal Singh Dhillon was actively involved in Disaster Management activities at the time of earthquakes in Uttarkashi and J&K, Tsunami in Southern India and floods in Rajasthan. He is a recipient of the coveted Lengtaigne Memorial Medal. The Vishist Seva Medal and Ati Vishist Seva Medal were conferred on him, by the President of India, for distinguished services. A good athlete and sportsman and an avid golfer, Samer Pal Singh, a man of many facets, inspired the men he led and united them in a team. He is well known among his friends and associates for his wit, sense of humour and leadership qualities. Samer Pal Singh Dhillon, by his outstanding contributions to the Indian Army, has distinguished himself as an Old Boy of The Scindia School. The Scindia School conferred the Madhav Award, on him in the year 2008.

Vinay Kumar Modi, after completing his education from The Scindia School in 1960, obtained B Tech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur in 1965. Thereafter he was inducted in the family business by his father Late Shri Rai Bahadur Gujar Mal Modi and was given the responsibility for managing Modi Steels.

After his Senior Cambridge from the Scindia School in 1961, did his Masters in Economics from the University of Notre Dame and Business Administration from the University of Michigan , USA . Bharat Vithalbhai Patel joined Vicks International, New York in 1969 and later on moved to Richardson Hindustan, Bombay, as Vice-President marketing in 1982. In 1985 he was appointed as Associate General Manager, Proctor & Gamble India Ltd responsible for company's marketing, manufacturing and exports and with his dynamism and professionalism he grew rapidly in stature in Procter & Gamble. He is currently the Chairman of Proctor & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Ltd. Apart from Procter & Gamble he has been instrumental in shaping the destiny of many other organizations. He is the Chairman of Indian Society of Advertisers, Brand Protection committee of FICCI, OTC Committee of the organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India and the University of Michigan India Alumni Association. He is a member of the Board of Directors, NESCO Ltd, Force Motors Ltd, YES Bank Ltd and Sardar Patel Trust, Gujrat through which he is engaged in welfare activities to benefit the weaker sections of the society. He has varied interests in music and sports and is in the Managing Committees of various Sports Clubs such as Bombay Gymkhana, Wellingdon Sports Club, EME Golf Club and Gaekwad Golf Club, Baroda.

Dr. Sudhir S. Bloeria , IAS began his career in the Indian Army having served with distinction in the J & K Rifles. With experience ranging from NEFA in the East, to Fazilka in the West, Dr. Bloeria saw active service during the 1971 war.

Kalyan Mohan Banerjee is one among the list of illustrious Scindians. Passed out in 1959 and subsequently graduated as a Chemical Engineer from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

Passed out from The Scindia School in 1948 as a School Prefect and joined his family business in Tanzania. He established the first razor blades manufacturing plant in East Africa in collaboration with the Commonwealth Development Corporation and the Tanzanian Government between 1960 – 1970. He moved to the United Kingdom in 1971 and acquired the U.K. part of the Forbes Compbell group which dealt with export and finance and expanded the business by setting up offices in New York, Toronto, Singapore and Bahrain. From a dynamic and successful entrepreneur, he became increasingly committed to community service. He has been involved in a range of charities in education, arts, health and employment sectors. In Tanzania he administered some 55 schools (Kindergarten to technical) and managed a large scholarship programme which enabled students to go to Europe, U S A, Canada and other parts of the world for University Education.