The  Henry L.V. Derozio Award:

Henry L.V. Derozio (1809 – 1830), arguably the first Indian poet, freedom fighter and social reformer, was fondly referred to as the “National Bard of Modern India.” He taught English at Hindu College (later Presidency College), Calcutta, and set up a youth movement to promote nationalism and enlightened living. Through his writing he fired the imagination of a generation of ‘Derozians’, young people of conviction who were prepared to make any sacrifice for the cause of ‘freedom’. ‘The Harp of India’, ‘To India my Native Land’ and ‘Fakir of Jungheera’ are among his best known writings.

The ‘Derozio Awards’ are being instituted to celebrate and commemorate the life of this great revolutionary, so that his life may inspire a new generation of people to emulate his life and work, in the service of the nation.

The Derozio Awards are for exemplary service to school education and human enrichment have been instituted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi, to honour and motivate people to serve the nation in a manner that clearly defines leadership in an identified sphere.

The Awards seek to:

• identify people who make a difference in their sphere of work;

• promote a sense of achievement, recognition and support for a cause;

• recognize the work of people for the greater good of humanity;

• establish a role for people to contribute to the nation;

• enable professional people to reach out;

• generate concern for the social, physical or cultural ecology of the nation;

• enhance global goodwill and understanding.