ICFAI Honours Democracy with S Jaipal Reddy Awards

In a stirring tribute to democratic ideals and public service, ICFAI Law School, in association with the Capital Foundation Society, hosted the prestigious S Jaipal Reddy Democracy Award ceremony at Hotel Taj Krishna, Hyderabad. Telangana Chief Minister Shri A. Revanth Reddy led the event, reflecting on how leaders like the late Jaipal Reddy upheld democratic values through conviction and service. The highlight was the conferment of the Democracy Award to renowned policy thinker Mohan Guruswamy, alongside a slew of recognitions to legal luminaries, social activists, and change-makers across India. The ceremony also featured a compelling lecture by Dr. Sasmit Patra on the challenges before Indian parliamentary democracy. The event underscored ICFAI’s growing stature as a platform for dialogue on governance, justice, and institutional integrity.

Shri A Revanth Reddy, Honourable Chief Minister of Telangana was the Chief Guest  at the event organized by ICFAI Law School in association with Capital Foundation Society.

“In today’s politics, which has moved from ideology to fast delivery, challenging the roots of democracy, we need to remember leaders like Shri Jaipal Reddy, who worked relentlessly for the up liftment and holistic development of people and stood firmly by the values they believed in,” said Shri A. Revanth Reddy, Honorable Chief Minister of Telangana.

He was speaking at an Awards Ceremony at Hotel Taj Krishna, Hyderabad on Saturday, 26th July. The event was organized by ICFAI Law School in association with the Capital Foundation Society.

The Chief Minister said in various capacities, Shri Jaipal Reddy’s decisions were always aimed at the welfare of the people and rooted in democratic values. His focus was on bringing systematic change and addressing challenges from the grassroots. The Chief Minister emphasized that for any government, the focus should be on good governance, and constructive suggestions are a hallmark of a healthy democracy.

Sri Revanth Reddy conferred S Jaipal Reddy Democracy Award to Shri Mohan Guruswamy, prominent author, thought leader and policy advisor and said that Sri Guruswamy has been an inspiration to many.

Chief Minister Shri Revanth Reddy also gave away various awards for personalities who did remarkable service to the society. He conferred Attorney General K Parasaran Award on Mr N Venkataraman, Additional Solicitor General of India; Dr G V Rao, Senior Advocate, Superme Court of India received the Attorney General Soli J Sorabjee Award; Mr P H Arvindh Pandian, Senior Advocate, High Court of Madras received the Solicitor General of India Dipankar Gupta Award; Mr S S Ramdas, President, Mysore Education Society received the Attorney General K K Venugopal Award; Mr B V Subba Rao Distinguished Environmental Expert got the Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Award.

The Capital Foundation Award was given to Col. (Dr) I V S Gahlot, CEO & Medical Director, Park Hospital, Dr Shilpa Krishna Social Activist,  Dr Thallada Bhaskar Director, CSIR Advanced Materials and Processes Research Instutite, and Mr J Nishanth Reddy, Founder & Managing Trustee, Dharma Seva. The Chief Minister also gave Prof Dr T R Subramanya, Dean CMR University of Legal Studies, Advocate General S G Sundarswamy Award; Mr M Sunil Kumar Advocate and Social Activist received Capital Foundation Social Activist Award, while Ms Anumapa Ramachandra, World Snooker Champion got the Justice A K Sikri Young Achiever Award.

On this occasion, the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Outstanding Parliamentarian Award was presented to Dr. Sasmit Patra, who also delivered a special lecture on ‘Challenges before Parliamentary Democracy in India’. Dr. Patra highlighted the many challenges currently facing parliamentary democracy, recalling Dr. Ambedkar’s words before the adoption of the Constitution: “However good a Constitution may be, it is sure to turn out bad because those who are called to work it happen to be a bad lot. However bad a Constitution may be, it may turn out to be good if those who are called to work it happen to be a good lot.”

Dr. Patra emphasized that the responsibility of upholding democratic values must lie with the people, but today, it has been outsourced to political parties. He noted that as responsible citizens, we must question acts of omission and commission. He called the disruption of Parliament a serious threat, as it prevents many bills from undergoing legislative scrutiny. He also warned that tensions among the legislature, executive, and judiciary could create fault lines in democracy that must be addressed.

Prof. L. S. Ganesh, Vice-Chancellor of the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, in his welcome address, remarked that India must strive for collective brilliance and reduce its reliance on Western validation in intellectual pursuits. Mr. Vinod Sethi, Secretary General of Capital Foundation, Prof K Purushottam Reddy, Executive President of Capital Foundation also. The event was chaired by Mrs Sobharani Yasaswy, Chairperson, ICFAI Society,  Dr P Ravisekharraju, Director, ICFAI Law School, and Coordinated by Dr K Hariharan of ICFAI Law School

The ICFAI Law School is a significant segment of the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Declared as a Deemed-to-be University established under section 3 of UGC Act, 1956. Established in the year 2010, the Law School has successfully completed a decade in professional teaching. It offers BBA LL.B (Hons) BA LL.B (Hons) five year integrated courses and two year LLM course recognized by Bar Council of India. It also offers PhD Program in Law and  Certificate Programs.

The Capital Foundation Society is a registered, non-governmental, non-profit, voluntary organisation which brings together persons of thought and learning to deliberate and articulate public opinion on vital issues. It promotes free flow of information and ideas from diverse sources to influence decision-making. The Capital Foundation Society, since its inception in 1987 has been engaged in providing a platform for policy dialogue and debate on issues of national and international importance. Over 250 events have been organised by the Foundation.

Participants have appreciated the quality of debate and dialogue in each one of them. One of the strengths of India's democratic system is the considerable  space it allows for open and vigorous debate on issues of public policy. Parliamentarians, civil servants, judges, diplomats, journalists, scholars and professionals  come together and exchange ideas.

The topics covered are issues relating to democratic governance and  accountability of representative institutions, electoral and educational reforms, criminal justice system and judicial reforms,  threats and challenges before media, gender justice and women  empowerment, problems of dalits, disabled or differently abled  persons, union budget and its impact on economy and capital  markets, challenges before the new governments, human rights,  national and international developments affecting India and humanity.