The Kalpana Chawla award for courage and daring enterprise for 2014 was on Friday given to R. Ponni, Nagapattinam Superintendent of Police.
Receiving the award from Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at Fort St George in Chennai on Friday, Ms. Ponni joined Indian Police Service in 2008. During her stint as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Chengalpattu, she intercepted 26 sand-laden lorries and got them booked for illicit sand quarrying and smuggling. Earlier, as ASP, Tirupattur (Vellore district), she nabbed a stolen vehicle, eventually leading to detection of a number of cases and recovery of about 70 sovereigns of gold jewellery, stated an official document. The police officer, who got a cheque for Rs. 5 lakh, a medal and a certificate, served the two districts during 2010-2011.
Best doctor award
Amar Agarwal, who was given the best doctor award for exemplary service for the welfare of the differently abled, had been chosen for “his outstanding 28 years of service in the field of rehabilitation of visually challenged,” said another document. He organised over 5,500 medical camps and more than seven lakh people were screened.
As for other recipients of awards for having served the differently abled, Sr. Virgit Johnsi, founder-director of Mercy Illam for Physically Handicapped and Mentally Retarded, Tirunelveli, received the award under the category of best social worker; Srishti Special School, Mogappair East, Chennai – best institution; Sakthi Masala, Erode – best employer in the private sector; Salem District Central Cooperative Bank – best district central cooperative bank.
The Chief Minister’s best practices award was given to S. Rajendran, section officer, Information Technology department, Secretariat, (under the category for individual) and Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme of the Health and Family Welfare Department, and Rural Development Department for developing a habitation-level drinking water monitoring module, both of which got the award for organisation.
Women’s welfare
The awards for the services rendered to women went to the Share Trust for the Development of Women and Children, Gummidipoondi, Tiruvallur district (best institution) and K. Saroja of Omalur taluk in Salem (best social worker). The Share Trust was given a cheque for Rs. 50,000.
In respect of the Chief Minister’s awards for local bodies, Tiruchi got the award for the best municipal corporation along with the prize money of Rs. 25 lakh. For municipalities, Kumbakonam, Komarapalayam and Periyakulam got the first, second and third prizes with Rs. 15 lakh, Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh respectively and in the case of town panchayats, Thalainayar, Alanganallur and Malechokkanathapuram were given the first, second and third prizes, carrying Rs. 10 lakh, Rs. five lakh and Rs. three lakh respectively.
On her arrival at the Fort St. George, Ms. Jayalailthaa was received by Chief Secretary Mohan Verghese Chunkath, who introduced senior officers of the armed forces and the State police to her. Earlier, the Chief Minister paid a floral homage at the War Memorial.
