World

Prince Karim Aga Khan receives civil award in India

He is currently on a visit to India; also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Web Desk April 08, 2015

Prince Karim Aga Khan shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PHOTO: http://pmindia.gov.in/

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan received on Wednesday the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award in India.

The civilian award was presented to him by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee during a ceremony, according to NDTV.

The Aga Khan is currently on a visit to India and also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Met the Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, Prince Karim Aga Khan. http://t.co/a0PvdlBhxa pic.twitter.com/udf9eh19n4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 7, 2015

“The prime minister praised the work of the Aga Khan Foundation, especially in the areas of rural development and sanitation, which, he said, he had the opportunity to witness first-hand when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat,” an official handout said.

Modi asked the Aga Khan Foundation to play a key role in the “Swachh Bharat” and “Ganga Rejuvenation” initiatives. He also sought the Foundation’s participation in building toilets for girl children.

Prince Karim Aga Khan said he was honoured to be receiving the Padma Vibhushan. He said the Aga Khan Foundation was already undertaking the task of construction of one lakh toilets, beginning with the state of Gujarat.

Aga Khan added that the Foundation was also involved in initiatives to promote health and hygiene, and to ensure potable water supply.

Modi and Prince Karim Aga Khan also discussed the current situation in West Asia.

COMMENTS (8)

Ghulam Mustafa | 9 years ago | Reply Aga Khan has no geographical boundaries he is working for all human beings....

FJ | 9 years ago | Reply I dont understand why we need to discuss who is he with negative energies. Why we cant appreciate a person achieving a great recognization in the world from his philanthropical work. Its a dire time to change our mindset, mental perception and attitude. Not only Muslims even Hindhus and others as well.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Proletarian | 9 years ago | Reply @wb Everyone knows who he is. He is the Ismaili Shia Imam.

Proletarian | 9 years ago | Reply Its gujrati merchant clans like the Ismaili Khoja that are the secret of Gujrat's success. Modi had nothing to do with it.

JSM | 9 years ago | Reply @Raja Porus: What is the situation of availability of toilets in Pakistan?

John B | 9 years ago | Reply @wb: The Web Desk is a India gossip desk specially assigned for dirt throwing under the guise of credible story. Khan foundation has a long history in India and it is about time they are recognized for philanthropic work. The sanitation is a small part.

wb | 9 years ago | Reply What are your editors on? How could they write an article about Prince Karim Agha Khan without introducing who he is?

Raja Porus | 9 years ago | Reply A country whose citizens don't have access to basic sanitary facilities such as toilets struts around this region acting as a regional power whereas it should be focusing instead on a national plumbing initiative. V.K. Singh should be made the Indian Minister for Plumbing & Sanitary Affairs. Poor Indian citizens, their mighty broad-chested PM has to beg the Aga Khan for toilets. What irony and what a pity indeed.

Replying to X