The Founder President of GESA, Mr. Ram Kumar Verma was born in Faizabad (now Ayodhya), who walked this earth as a beacon, not merely to exist but to awaken the people. A brilliant scholar, a sage, a steward of the earth; he was an educationist of rare insight, an environmentalist ahead of his time, a social thinker with the courage to question, and a reformer who wove ideals into action. Above all, he was a teacher in the truest sense and brought not only knowledge, but awareness particularly in rural areas. He stood against the rusted chains of caste, against the silence of stigma, against the shadow of untouchability and blind orthodoxy.
Mr. Verma’s life stood as a paragon of the virtues he so passionately espoused: Punctuality, Diligence, Dedication, Devotion, and Amiability were not mere attributes, but the very fabric of his being, qualities which, to this day, continue to inspire reverence and emulation. In his vision, all were equal, all were worthy, all were human and he lived that truth undaunted, unshaken and unwavering.
Now, he is no more and left us forever on December 26, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of uncommon stature and immeasurable impact. Although, he is no longer among us, his legacy stands tall, like a tree whose shade shelters generations; his stalwart stature itself will regularly enthused as torch-bearer for upliftment of the people.
In eternal homage, GESA decided to commence an The RKV Lifetime Achievement Award, since this year. This highest honour of GESA will be bestowed to those who mirror his spirit, those who serve Society, Humanity, and Nature with distinction, integrity, and love. This sacred recognition shall be offered amid the radiant gathering of national and international dignitaries during GESA’s annual International Conference on Environment and Society (ICES). The honoree shall receive a framed testament of honor, a memento wrought with care, an angvastram, symbol of purity and respect along with a potted plant, symbol of ecological balance and clean environment.
Mr. Birendra Singh, by Profession was an Architect and Environmentalist-cum-Social worker, from Allahabad (now Prayagraj). He was Founder Treasurer of GESA. While world-wide disastrous COVID-19 incidence period, widely known as ‘LOCKDOWN’, for up-keeping of the humanity, he was continuously extending door-to-door social services among the victims of the COVID positive patients and taking care as leader as much as possible and distributing food packets, medicines and needful items. He was detected COVID positive, admitted in MLN Medical College, Prayagraj for treatment and lost the battle as a real ‘Hero’, on 05.05.2020 (first reported death case due to COVID from Allahabad).
To commemorate his commendable role/services for Cleanliness, Environment and Society, the Executive Council of GESA initiated to remember him in the form of an Award ‘Birendra Singh Memorial Glocal Award for Social Services’ in 2021. The Recipients of this award are: