Tech award in god’s name – VISHWAKARMA AWARDS
New Delhi, Aug. 18: The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), the technical education regulator, is set to institute an award in the name of a Hindu god with an official describing it as a first.
The council and the Engineering Council of India (ECI), the country’s apex engineering body, have decided to name the prize “AICTE-ECI Chhatra Vishwakarma Awards“. They will be meant for AICTE-approved institutions.
According to guidelines posted on the AICTE website, the awards are meant to motivate individuals and institutions to raise their performance in their domains. The objective is to recognise and honour students with innovative work and exceptional skills in various engineering streams. The prizes will be given in the categories of Outstanding Student Engineers, Outstanding Teachers and Outstanding Institutions.
An AICTE official said this was the first time the council had instituted award in the name of a Hindu god. Vishwakarma is worshipped by the working class and artists as a divine architect.
AICTE vice-chairman M.P. Poonia wrote to the principals and the directors of all affiliated institutions last week, asking them to forward nominations for the award.
Good initiative and we have to welcome this and reach out to all the state government to setup somethings like this.