Padma Shri RN Zutshi Memorial Medal

Mr. R N Zutshi was the first Indian to be appointed as the Principal of Daly College. When he took over from D F Jack in 1956, he had already served at Daly College for thirty-four years. A student of St. John’s School and St. John’s College, Agra, he was appointed as Assistant Master in 1922. He was promoted to Housemaster in 1943 and to Headmaster in 1948. He was well travelled, having visited China, Japan, Malaya, Europe and England, was a good sportsman and was known for his great energy and sense of humour.

Mr. Zutshi was not only involved in his work at Daly College but also found time for public work. In 1958, he was nominated as a member of newly formed Municipal Corporation of Indore. From 1960 to 1962, he served as Deputy Mayor and in 1963, he was elected Mayor. In 1957, he was involved in the selection of Government of India Merit Scholars. He played a role in the formation of CBSE and, owing to his encouraging the foundation of a University in Indore, in 1964, he was nominated to the Court of the University. In the same year he became President of the IPSC body. In 1965, he was awarded the coveted Padma Shri award. Three years later, in 1968, he passed away on the last day of term.

His daughter, Sulekha Zutshi, instituted the Padma Shri R N Zutshi Memorial Medal in 1997, in the memory of her late father. Every year, the Committee, comprising the President of the Board of Governors, Principal, ODA President and ODA Secretary, decides to confer this award to an Old Dalian for outstanding contribution in any field of activity like industry, business, management, public life, social service, diplomacy, defence services, medicine, science, research, education, engineering, sports, visual & performing arts, the media and so on.

Recipients of Padma Shri R N Zutshi Memorial Medal :