AWARDS >>

To pick up a gauntlet against such powerful tobacco lobby’s interest was fraught with risks. Taking cue from ancient Indian scriptures, which exhort individuals to pursue good deeds without any fear or want of any reward, he asked the officials of his ministry to draft a bill. Despite much hindrances, for the first time in the history of the nation a bill was adopted eventually in 1996 as ‘the Delhi prohibition of smoking and non-smokers health protection act, 1996'. It is only now that the people are appreciating with pride the fact that such a rigorous and beneficial piece of legislation has not been enacted even in some developed countries. Several states in Indian union have introduced similar legislations and the central government in India has also introduced a bill on similar pattern. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has also issued directions to all the States as well as the Centre for getting an Act enacted against tobacco on the lines of the Delhi Assembly Legislation against smoking in public places. For this historic effort Dr. Harsh Vardhan was nominated to receive the Director General of WHO’s Commendation medal and certificate for making outstanding contribution worthy of international recognition for achieving 'tobacco-free society'. He received this coveted honour in a glittering ceremony held at Rio-De-Janeiro, Brazil on 28th May, 1998 by the World Health Organization. This prestigious award has been earlier received by eminent personalities like former President of U.S.A. Bill Clinton, Health Minister of Canada and international Brazilian football player Pele.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan has received the Rotary International's 'Polio Eradication Champion Award' which was presented to him by the Prime Minister of India Sh. Atal Behari Vajpayee on January 22, 2001 at New Delhi. This prestigious award has been earlier received by international dignitaries like former US President Bill Clinton, former British Prime Minister John Major, First Lady of Egypt Smt. Suzanne Mubarak, President of Nigeria Olusegun Obansanjo, President of Angola Jose Edurado Dos Santos and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Dr. Harsh Vardhan is the first Indian to receive this award.

Though, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has carried on his work with the sole aim of securing health for all Delhiites, the excellent work done by him has not gone unnoticed by many ogranisations. National and International Organizations have showered on him the coveted honours and awards. He was conferred 'Paul Harris Fellowship' by Rotary International twice. He has been nominated as the 'Fellow of Polypathy', by International Institute of Polypathy. He has been conferred the Lions International Service Award by its President Mr. C. Pino Grimaldi in 1995. In 1994 he received 'IMA President's Special Award of Appreciation' and in 1996 and 1997 he was once again chosen for 'IMA Special Award to Eminent Medical Men for Distinguished Achievement of Highest Order'. Very recently he has been honoured with the IMANDB Swasthya Ratna (Doctor of the last decade award) for being the "Noblest Medical Campaigner of the Last Decade" on Doctor's Day 1st July, 2002.

Prestigious Social organizations have continued to recognize his services and honoured him on several occasions. Maharaja Agrasen Forum conferred upon him 'Aggarwal Ratan Award', Jain Mahasabha bestowed on him 'Ahimsa Samman' and 'Sewa Shree Samman' was showered on him for his meritorious services and outstanding achievements in his field by Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Indian Finance Minister and present Prime Minister, All India Conference of Intellectuals has conferred 'Delhi Ratan Award' on him. Acharya Kshemchand Suman Seva Samiti has conferred on him the prestigious Acharya Suman Shree Samman for the year 2001. He has also received Vocational Excellence Award by the Rotary club of Delhi Uptown for his outstanding contribution in serving the community with exemplary dedication and commitment in providing relief to Gujarat Earthquake victims. He also received a Certificate of Excellence from Dr. Bhisham Narain Singh, former Governor of Tamilnadu on behalf of the India International Friendship Society for outstanding services, achievements and contributions. He was recently honoured at the Polio Plus International Presidential Summit held in Mumbai on 22-24th February, 2002 in acknowledgement of his work in eradication of Polio. Dr. Harsh Vardhan has also received the Human Care Award of the millennium for excellence in medical profession on 20th December, 1999 by the Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Shiela Dixit on behalf of the Punjab & Sind Bank. Dr. Harsh Vardhan has also received Certificate of Academic Excellence from the International Institute of Integrated Medical Sciences. He has also received the National Environmental Seva Samman at the 1996 World Environment Congress for his services in the field of environmental protection and improvement and related issues. He has also received Rashtriya Hindi Samman in 1996 at the All India Hindi Sammelan by Dr. Ganga Sharan Singh, Rashtriya Hindi Sansthan. Recently Dr. Harsh Vardhan has been chosen for the prestigious National Citizen's Award of India by a distinguished jury comprising Mr. Justice P.N. Bhagwati, Chairman, United Nations, Human Rights Committee as its Chairman and other great luminaries of India as its members.