More than 300 people got their eyes tested, while about 50 cataract operations were done free-of-cost in the camp held at Camp Khanpur, Narela.

A prayer meeting was also held to remember the late leader. The prayer meet was attended by hundreds of people including former Governor Romesh Bhandari.

"Scindia ji was a great leader who was always concerned about the basic health facilities for the poor section of the society. He was associated with various NGO's and other organisations for the benefit of the poor," said Bhandari remembering the departed Congress leader.

Devender Kumar reminded people of how Madhav Rao Scindia would start a `Health Line Express' train for the people of his constituency to come to Capital and get their check-ups done from time to time.

The meeting was also attended by Delhi municipal corporation member Mukesh Bhatt, Narayan Singh, Vijender Pehlawan, Deepak Chaudhry and other local Congress leaders.

Scindia said it was primarily contributions in the fields of science and philosophy that were at the heart of India's prowess and resurgence as well as the rise of a new India.  

"When we talk of the area of science, it is an area that ignites the mind. Philosophy, on the other hand, ignites the soul and nourishes it," he said in his brief address after presenting the awards instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation.

It was a combination of the two, Scindia added, that would take India forward and needed to be recognised and encouraged. The awards presented on Thursday evening covered both areas.

The minister also complimented the K.K. Birla Foundation that instituted the awards for producing landmark events. Each of the awards carries a citation and a cash award of Rs 1.5 lakh.

Dr K.K. Birla, president of the foundation, noted with pride the prestige that had come to be attached with the two awards over the years. "Many scientists have told me that it has become the most prestigious award so far".

The G.D. Birla Award for Scientific Research was instituted in 1991 with the aim to accord recognition to high calibre research undertaken by Indian scientists, below the age of 50 living and working in India. Dr Birla said the condition regarding the age had been widely ap- preciated in scientific circles.

Bhattacharya told the gathering at Birla House there was another reason. "This is the only award that cuts across disciplinary barriers... it makes it very special." Bhattacharya had trained as a chemist. His research work, however, cuts across boundaries of individual discipline and employs principles of chemistry and it interfaces with Biology and material science.

Tripathi, who was selected for his work Boudh Darshan Prasthaan, has devoted his life to studying rare and unknown facets of Buddhist literature. The book, in Hindi, explains Buddhist philosophy and is based on a variety of sources including those from Tibet and Nepal.

"It will inspire others to work in this field," Tripathi later said.

In appreciation of your extraordinary courage and inspiring leadership,
salutations on your 60th birthday!
With admiration and gratitude from millions of workers of the Indian National Congress.

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