The President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee conferred Lakshmipat Singhania - IIM, Lucknow National Leadership Awards 2011 at a function in Vigyan Bhavan today (November 30, 2012).

Speaking on the occasion the President described late Lakshmipat Singhania as a visionary, business leader with outstanding qualities. He said for India's political and economic stability, it is important that we have truly "inclusive" growth that benefits each and every citizen of the country especially those who are at the margins of society and at the base of the socio-economic pyramid. India needs grass-root leaders who place people and their problems at the centre of the social, economic and political discourse. It is only when each Indian feels empowered to contribute to the task of nation building will India be able to combat poverty, malnutrition, hunger and disease.

This release issued at 1320 hrs