MUMBAI: City Congress minority cell vice-chancellor Haji Mudassar Patel has welcomed the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award to former minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad announced by the government on the eve of 73rd Republic Day.
“I congratulate Ghulam Nabi Azad sahab on getting this prestigious award. He has been in the public field for quite long and served as chief minister, union minister and leader of opposition. It is good that his services have been acknowledged and rewarded with this prestigious award,” said Patel. He added that the fact that Azad has been accorded this award despite being in opposition, shows that his popularity cuts across parties and ideologies. Congratulating Azad, Patel who is also known for his charity and philanthropic works, wrote on his Facebook: “It is your hard work and strenuous efforts for the people of Jammu & Kashmir that is getting paid off.”
Patel said that Azad never let prejudice or bias come in his way when it came to doing works for the public. “As chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir, he worked for every community and ensured that justice was done to everyone and every community. He never showed any sort of bias while doing works for the people. For him every Indian is dear,” he said.
Azad’s commitment to national integration and patriotism has also earned him accolades and now this prestigious Padma Bhushan has come his way. “When it comes to defending India and Indian interests, Azad Sahab is next to none. He has always shown and proved his commitment to nationalism. He cannot stand anti-nationals and has always upheld the values of nationalism, communal harmony and peaceful co-existence. In future, bigger awards may come his way,” said Patel.
