Rotary’s Highest Award presented to Dr.E.Sreedharan
The Rotary Club of Madras today conferred the most prestegious Rotary award, “For The Sake of Honor Award” on Dr. Elattuvalapil Sreedharan, ‘The Metro Man of India’ , for his yeoman service to nation building and Indian Railways and his spectacular achievement in completing the Delhi Metro ahead of schedule. Dr.Sreedharan’s life and living symbolizes Rotary’s Four - Way Test.
Presenting the award Ms.Nandita Krishnan, President, Rotary Club of Madras, said “Dr. Sreedharan has earned a reputation as someone capable of taking up and succeeding in most difficult and daunting projects . Dr.Sreedharan was responsible for the speedy restoration of the Pamban bridge (1963), which connects Rameswaram to mainland Tamil Nadu after a massive cyclone blew everything away.
This exceptional achievement earned him the prestigious Railway Minister's Award in 1963. The Konkan Railway from Maharashtra to Mangalore, an engineering marvel across the Western Ghats, was also overseen by him. The project had over 150 bridges, 93 tunnels along a length of 82 km and involved tunnelling through soft soil. Under Sreedharan’s able stewardship, the project was completed within seven years.We are delighted to honour such a distinguished personality who has done India proud.
According to Rtn.S.N.Srikanth , Chairman, Awards Committee - Rotary Club of Madras , said “it was a unanimous choice by all members to give this very special award to Dr. E. Sreedharan for his tremendous accomplishment in service of the Nation. He joined the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on November 5, 1997 as its first Managing Director. He was instrumental in ensuring the timely completion of all the scheduled construction works. As the train network expanded across the NCR, Dr. Sreedharan's name became synonymous with that of the Delhi Metro. He was even approached by the Pakistan Government for the execution of the Lahore Metro Plan.
Dr.Sreedharan now acts as the Principal Advisor to DMRC and has taken over the responsibilities of Kochi Metro and transport projects in Kerala such as project planning of the High Speed Rail, Monorail, etc. in Kerala.
Dr. Sreedharan’s accomplishments have made every Indian proud and he is admired for his simplicity, for his unassuming nature, for his undying spirit and for his monumental contribution to the nation.
Rotary Club of Madras:
The Rotary Club of Madras, chartered in 1929 is the third oldest Rotary Club in India. With “Service above Self” as the guiding philosophy, the Club has made significant contributions to the community through its service activities. The Club played a pioneering role in what is now known as ‘Polio Plus’, Rotary International’s global effort to eradicate polio. The Club has also launched a venture "CREATE" - the Centre for Rural Education, Advancement, Transformation and Empowerment, to rehabilitate disadvantaged rural youth and help them realize their potential.
Other community service activities of the Club include a major effort to rebuild the lives of fishermen and their families after the devastating tsunami in December 2006; periodic medical camps for the less privileged sections of society; scholarships to deserving students; vocational training programmes at Boys Town, an institution run by the Club for disadvantaged children; old age home at VHS Centre, Taramani, mid – day meals supplement scheme at schools and Thaneer Thaneer, a project to renovate temple tanks and recharge ground water, to name a few.