The award is constituted by Tulasi Books, Singapore in memory of SWAMI NIRMALANANDA to be given away from time to time to exceptional individuals or organizations, for their outstanding contributions without considering any discriminations created by the human boundaries of language, race, nationalities or gender, who proved to have shown genuine excellences and accomplishments in any of the following fields:-
1) Outstanding dedication, Study, research and propagation of the unique life and message of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna as understood from the lives and teachings of Holy Mother Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Nirmalananda and various authentic publications.
2) Outstanding academic, research and practical contributions in any field of Vedanta with a stress on Vedantic Humanism known as Practical Vedanta which can be considered as means of worship of God in fellow human beings. Any form of excellence in the fields of Science, Technology, Art, Sports/Games or Philosophy viewed within the purview of Vedanta can be considered under this category.
3) Outstanding life-time achievement as dedicated Ramakrishna Missionary in personal life with a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique message of Sri Ramakrishna as a Prophet of Religion. This is considered as a criterion for the selection of the award because one of the major aims of the Ramakrishna Incarnation was to re-instate the lost “Rishi-ideals” among the householders in the modern society.
The award will carry a citation in a metal plaque, a Prasadi Vastram –sacramental clothes- (from the shrine of Ottapalam Ramakrishna Ashrama, where Swami Nirmalananda entered mahasamadhi) and a cash prize of an amount of Indian Rupees One lakh (One hundred thousand only). The Plaque and the amount will be presented to the nominee by the GUEST OF HONOUR and the sacramental clothes will be adorned on the person or presented to the recipient by the President of the Ramakrishna Ashrama, Ottapalam. The award function will have a formal speech known as SWAMI NIRMALANANDA LECTURE by any eminent speaker of the day.
The first award was presented to Dr. P. Achuthan on 13th February 2011 in a function organized to commemorate the centenary of Swami Nirmalananda’s first visit to Kerala.
The award committee took the decision based on the valuable contributions of Sri Lakhani some of which are as follows
• Conducted studies in Quantum Mechanics under Sir Roger Penrose and obtained a Masters degree with distinction in 1970
• Since 1994, he has been working as a philanthropist presenting comprehensive Hinduism through a broad range of media, including television, radio and various articles and publications through the Hindu Academy
• This has enabled him to work with schools, colleges and universities to present the deeper ideas of religion and bring about natural cohesion in society through education
• Shri Lakhani is a well-known speaker on Religious Pluralism and offers this broader vision of religions at many temples, churches and at interfaith gatherings
• Because of his background in Theoretical Physics he often give talks on Science and Spirituality at universities to explore the links between the esoteric teachings of religions and the discoveries at the cutting edge of modern sciences, thereby reconciling the gap between religious and secular world-views
The Committe also took his Current Positions as listed below:
1. The first Hindu tutor to be appointed by Eton College
2. Director of Religious Education Council of England and Wales
3. Director of Hindu Council (UK)
4. Director of the Hindu Academy
5. A key advisor on Hinduism to the Department of Education and the Qualification and Curriculum authority
6. Offers Hindu input for PGCE courses on Religious Education at:
(a) Oxford University
(b) Sheffield Hallam University
(b) University of East Anglia, Norwich
(c) College of St Mark and St John, Plymouth
(d) St Mary’s University College Twickenham
(e) Canterbury Christ Church University
(f) Roehampton University
(g) Brighton University
(h) Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln
(i) Lampeter, University of Wales
(j) University of Exeter
(k) The Muslim College as the Hindu contributor towards teaching an MA in World religions
His media Participation, which the Committee took note of:
1. Recently offered three daily contribution on Hindu faith channel (Aastha) on sky channel
2. Hindu presenter on BBC (TV and Radio) religious programmes
3. Hindu contributor towards BBC documentary ‘Story of God’
4. Hindu contributor on ITV documentary Sex and Religion
5. Speaker at public meetings on role of religion for community cohesion
The Committee also took note of Shri Lakhani’s contribution as the Editor/Publisher of:
1. Hinduism for Schools ISBN 09549567-0-2 Printed 2005
2. Primary Hinduism ISBN 09549567-1-0 Printed 2006
The Committee:-
1) SWAMI KAIVALYANANDA –Chairman (As the Monastic head of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Sri Ramakrishna Nagar, Ottapalam, India, where Tulasi Maharaj entered mahasamadhi in 1938).
2) SWAMI BODHANANDA (Mataji)- Seetha Rama Ashrama, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India – She is one of the six surviving disciples of Swami Nirmalananda.
3) Dr. P. Achuthan, Retired English Professor, University of Calicut – (Another surviving disciple of Swami Nirmalananda; He is the recipient of the First Swami Nirmalananda Award)
4) Dr. Subrahmanian Pallatheri, Hockessin, USA. (He is a distinguished scientist and a close friend and devotee of Ottapalam Ashrama- He is also another fortunate surviving disciple of Swami Nirmalananda).
5) Srimati Indira Krishna Kumar (A retired member of the Indian Postal Board, Government of India, Delhi and a student of Srimat Bhagavatam who conducts Saptahams in many parts of the country. She is also a devotee and a good supporter of the Ottapalam Ashrama).
6) Professor Rajasekharan Nair (A distinguished historian who is a retired Academician and an active supporter of the cause of Swami Nirmalananda and Ottapalam Ramakrishna Ashrama).
7) Mrs. K.V.Indira Bai (A nominee of Tulasi Books, Singapore).
