PM Modi to Receive Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune; Sharad Pawar Invited as Chief Guest

New Delhi, July 11, 2023 : In a significant recognition of his exceptional leadership and commitment to fostering patriotism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been selected to receive the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award. The award ceremony, set to take place in Pune on August 1, will witness the presence of NCP chief Sharad Pawar as the chief guest, as confirmed by the organizers.

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) will confer the award, comprising a memento and citation, on Prime Minister Modi on the 103rd death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak, announced Trust president Deepak Tilak in a statement.

The selection of Prime Minister Modi for this esteemed accolade is a testament to his unwavering dedication to awakening a sense of patriotism among citizens and placing India prominently on the global stage. The prime minister’s exceptional leadership and visionary concept of Aatmanirbhar Bharat have propelled the nation’s progress and development.

In addition to Sharad Pawar’s presence as the chief guest, the invitees to the ceremony include Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar. It is noteworthy that Ajit Pawar, along with eight NCP MLAs, recently joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government, causing political upheaval in the state.

The presence of both Prime Minister Modi and Sharad Pawar at the event holds significance, particularly considering recent political developments and their exchange of remarks. Sharad Pawar expressed his gratitude towards the prime minister for the inclusion of NCP colleagues in the cabinet, implying that allegations of corruption against NCP leaders were unfounded.

Prime Minister Modi, during a previous interaction with BJP workers, had mentioned allegations of scams amounting to nearly ₹70,000 crore against the NCP. However, the presence of Sharad Pawar as the chief guest underscores a reconciliatory tone between the two leaders.