Africa-Press – Liberia. Indian business tycoon Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva has received the humanitarian accolade of the prestigious Golden Image Award for his indefatigable and unwavering contributions to humanity in post-conflict Liberia.
Mr. Sachdeva, who is commonly known as “Jeety” in Liberia received the award at a colorful ceremony held at the ministerial complex.
He was presented the award by President George Manneh Weah in the national category of humanity at the 12th bicentennial edition of the event.
According to the Event Planner, Ambassador Juli Endee, Mr. Sachdeva was selected following a thorough research and vetting of names and profile of individuals, organizations and countries that were submitted by a network of national and international members of the secretariat of the GIA for scrutiny in September 2021.
Madam Endee is the current Cultural Ambassador of Liberia.
The Golden Image Awards (GIA) was founded in September 2010, with the first edition held in July 2011. It serves as a unique platform for Liberia to recognize and appreciate those Individuals, Organizations and Countries who, against all odds contributed their time and Resources to Development, Investment, Leadership, Achievers, Human Rights Peace & Security Arts & Culture, Health, Advocacy, Humanity, Empowerment, Democracy, and Social Justice for all in the world, especially since the end of the 14-years civil crisis in Liberia.
The Award is also intended to recognize and reward Leaders and Philanthropists who have empowered and invest one way or the other to support Liberia attain its current status as a post war success story among comity of nations around the world.
It is premised on two (2) key rationales: to support the Government of the Republic of Liberia through innovative activities to rebuild Liberia’s image after 14-years of devastating civil crisis; and to honor and recognize individuals, organizations and countries in the world who have made outstanding contributions as stated above in Liberia and/or those who have significantly impacted their communities, the lives of other people, but where such contributions have gone unnoticed in their respective countries.
The Golden Image Award Platform provides a unique opportunity to those who have sacrificed and contributed to building a peaceful future generation – leaders whose examples can be applied as practical ways to build and achieve positive legacies, promote and encourage healthy life, quality education, effective leadership, and democratic processes either in Liberia or around the World.
Designed as an annual event, the GIA is an integral part of Liberia’s Independence Day celebration and it aspires to maintain this precedence every year in the hope of supporting national leadership through innovation to sustain the peace and elicit the confidence of the Liberian people and the International Community to work with our Government and increase investment in our economy.
The Impacts
Mr. Sachdeva is the former Indian Honorary Consul General to Liberia and the owner of various businesses operating in the country; including his trademark business-Jeety Trading Corporation.
He made an indelible impact in the lives of thousands of less fortunate citizens when he launched his Home-cooked Hot Meal in the country in February 2017. The program gained prominence during the first outbreak of the Coronavirus disease in Liberia in March 2020.
Since its inauguration, the program has provided meals to over 3M Liberians. It gained prominence during the first outbreak of the Coronavirus in Liberia in March 2020.
The program is still continuing. It has been extended to inmates at the Monrovia and Kakata central prisons.
As part of additional initiatives, “Jeety” provided running water and a 5.5KVA generator to help dignify inmates and convicts at the Monrovia Central Prison (MCP).
Apart from combating against hunger and providing conducive environment for inmates, “Jeety” is also sponsoring hundreds of Liberians at various schools, colleges and universities across Liberia.
As a real estate business tycoon, he has also provided housing for several individuals and entities on a free of charge basis.
“Your profile proved captivating and possessed all the attributes listed in the selection criteria, hence, the committee selected you as the winner of the National Humanitarian Award” Madam Endee stated in a communication addressed to Mr. Sachdeva.
Barely few days after receiving the award, “Jeety” and his team stormed the Kakata Central Prison in Margibi County on Saturday, July 23, and provided hot cooked meal, including rice, cake, soft drinks, utensils and others to 177 inmates at the facility.
In brief remarks, Mr. Sachdeva underscored the need for helping hands to be extended needy Liberians void of getting anything in return
“I have brought hot cooked meal to feed the inmates as usual and during this festive season, I like to ask people to not get to get; but give to inspire others. People get success in different things because of some rewards”.
He said those helping the needy should always bear in mind that their rewards are above and as such, they should not relent to provide assistance to others when they are in the position to do so.
Electrifying the prison
“”I promised you people the last time that I will work with the Superintendent to electrify the Kakata Central Prison. I have brought the engineer to do the estimate and when I come here next time, this place will be electrified”.
Mr. Sachdeva further pledged to provide a generator to the prison to guarantee the security of the inmates.
Also speaking, the County Inspector of Margibi, Mr. Moses Kpakanay Gbankpala commended “Jeety” for the gesture.
“This is not a surprise or it is not strange to us but we want to say thank you very much. This is just a continuation of what you are doing here in Margibi County”.
He observed that the provision of electricity at the prison compound, which has been without electricity for several years, will guarantee the security of not only the inmates, but prison workers and others.
He said the move being made by the Indian businessman to provide assistance to citizens should serve as an innovation to others to follow suit, and expect nothing in return.
Mr. Gbankpala added that the gesture buttresses government’s efforts towards the combat against hunger and insecurity in the post-conflict nation.
For his part, Kakata Central Prison Superintendent, Major Nelson P. Weah said the Bureau of Corrections at the Ministry of Justice remain grateful to “Jeety” for filling in the gaps.
He recalled that the solar panel which was installed at the prison compound by the erstwhile United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has outlived its usefulness.
Managing by God’s power
Major Wiah disclosed that the current lack of security has compelled security guards at the facility to “manage by the power of the almighty God”.
He said the pronouncement made by Jeety would be communicated to his authorities in a bid to recognize the efforts made by the Indian businessman.
“No electricity is here and we have to be on top of security to ensure that no one escape”.
“On behalf of the Bureau of Corrections, we are very much happy to receive these donations from Mr. Jeety. It is only people who fear God can do this for people who came in conflict with the law of the land. Since we started working here, there is no electricity”.
He said the gesture would ensure that inmates have a successful Independence Day celebration at the facility.
“We been in darkness for long and we cried behind our county authorities. Today, we are hearing good news. May the almighty God continue to bless you”.
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