For the exemplary work he did in the Jehanabad district of Bihar during the Covid-19 lockdown, IPS officer Mr Karuna Sagar has been awarded with the prestigious Bharat Gaurav Award 2019. The award ceremony was held recently in Delhi and presided over by Union Minister Mansukh L Mandaviya and Minister of State Faggan Singh Kulaste.
Bharat Gaurav Award is given out annually to citizens who make exemplary contributions in their fields or go beyond the call of duty in service to society.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Sagar expressed his happiness on getting the award. He said that the award would encourage him to do more for society.
On being asked what motivated him to help the people, Mr Sagar said “It is the society that gave me everything, be it the name of fame. So, it becomes my duty to fulfill needy people’s desires and needs. Being a bureaucrat, we have limited resources, but we can mobilize the resource and help people. Don’t forget your roots. People expect from you when you are at a good post.’’
TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE
During the lockdown, Mr. Sagar took the best care of the Jehanabad district’s people. As the first step during lockdown, he distributed packets of dry ration to those in need. These packets contained 5kgs of rice, two types of lentils, salt, jaggery, sugar, masala powder, oil, soap and puffed rice.
At his initiative, Star Health Insurance, Chennai, gave Rs 4.12 lakh to distribute 500 packages of food grains in Jehanbad.
Mr Sagar not only helped people to provide ration kits but also provided kits for self-employment. He helped the carpenters to get the instruments as they can start their own work.
Mr. Sagar said that “I always try to help weaker people, irrespective of caste and gender. The law is for the poor and it is made to help needy people, and not for making the rich happy.’’
SPREADING LIGHT DURING DIWALI
When the sanitation workers of Jehanabad struggling to celebrate Diwali due to money problems, Mr. Sagar helped them to celebrate. He helped 450 sanitation workers with sweets and candles.
Through his many initiatives, the migrants and other needy people of Jehanabad found life to be bearable during the lockdown.
Hailing from Bihar, Mr Karuna Sagar is the1991-batch IPS officer from Tamil Nadu cadre. He is currently posted as Director Modernisation, Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D), Delhi.
Mr Sagar says that he takes Jehanabad as his “Karm Bhoomi’’.
