The celebrated Bihar-cadre IPS Officer Vikas Vaibhav has been conferred upon the prestigious Satyendra K Dubey Memorial Award by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, for the year 2019. The officer has been informed about the decision of the SKD Memorial Award Evaluation Committee through a letter addressed to him by the IIT Kanpur Director Mr. Abhay Karandikar. Mr. Vaibhav is currently acting as DIG, Eastern Range, Bhagalpur, Bihar.
The presentation ceremony of the award is scheduled to take place on 2nd of November 2019 that also marks the ‘Diamond Jubilee Foundation Day’ of IIT Kanpur.
“The award is given to an alumnus of any IIT who has distinguished himself/herself by displaying highest professional integrity for upholding human value”, notes the letter addressed to the officer.
The letter sent to Mr. Vaibhav by Director, IIT Kanpur, mentions, “On behalf of IIT Kanpur, it is my great pleasure to inform you that SKD Memorial Award Evaluation Committee, after going through the records of your achievements has unanimously resolved to confer upon you the Satyendra K Dubey Memorial Award of the year 2019.”
The letter further adds, “We feel proud of your achievements and are confident that you will continue to excel in all the endeavors you will undertake in the future too.”
“Satyendra K. Dubey Memorial Award has been instituted by IIT Kanpur in the memory of its alumnus Mr. Satyendra K. Dubey (BT/CE/1994) who sacrificed his life while upholding the integrity and dignity of his profession”, reveals the official website of IIT Kanpur.
The first award was conferred upon Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, the current Chief Minister of Delhi, in the year 2005. Since then till now there are many celebrated names in the list of the recipients of this prestigious recognition.
The names, inter alia, include, RTI crusader & former Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, Prof. Trilochan Sastry, former dean (academics), IIM Bangalore & the Chairman of Association for Democratic Reforms, Mr. Anubrotto K. Roy, Director, Hazards Centre and Ecologist, Celebrated IAS officer and anti-corruption crusader Kuldeep Narayan, IAS officer Dr. K.M Abraham who played an instrumental role in exposing the financial irregularities of Sahara group. There are several other celebrated names on the list too.
Mr. Satyendra K. Dubey, in whose memory this award is conferred was an Indian Engineering Services officer of impeccable integrity. Born and brought up in a village named Shahpur in Bihar, he had a humble origin. He completed his graduation from the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Kanpur in the year 1994. Later on, he went on to complete his M.Tech from IIT BHU.
Subsequently, he joined Indian Engineering Services. In July 2002, he joined the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on deputation. During his stint as Project Director in Koderma, Jharkhand, he brought to light many financial and contractual irregularities involved in the construction of a stretch of NH2. His determination coupled with his unshakable integrity led to the rebuilding of 6 km of poorly-constructed road by the road construction Mafias. Due to several such instances, he became a target of the Construction Mafias. He was, on numerous occasions, transferred to Gaya, much against his wishes. On the 27th of November 2003, he was shot dead in front of the Gaya Circuit House while returning after attending a wedding in Varanasi. His death led to a nationwide uproar, voices coming from all quarters of society demanding justice for Satyendra K. Dubey.
This tragic happening with one of its bright alumnus prompted the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, to constitute a Memorial award to be conferred to an IIT alumnus every year in the memory and honour of Satyendra K. Dubey.
Vikas Vaibhav is the first IPS officer from the State of Bihar to be conferred upon this reputed recognition. Mr. Kuldeep Narayan, an IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, has also been a recipient of this award.
IPS Vikas Vaibhav is known not just for his highest professional integrity but also for his scholarly bent of mind. He is a celebrated figure on Social Media having a fan following of around 2.5 lakhs on Facebook.
He runs an extensively-read blog named ‘Silent pages’. The blog is famous for its meticulously detailed research on the lesser-known stories from the history of India. Having served as SP/SSP in Patna, Bagaha, Rohtas, and Darbhanga districts of Bihar and as SP, NIA, Delhi, currently serves as the DIG, Eastern Range, Bhagalpur.
Coincidentally, this award is going to be conferred upon him on the 2nd of November, the same month that marks his birthday.
This prestigious recognition is not just a crowning moment in Mr. Vaibhav’s career but also a glory coming to credit for the State of Bihar.
Further, Read More:
Meet Vaibhav Vikas: An IPS Officer setting the unprecedented level of service to the public
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