London: Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishan has been chosen for an award, constituted in the memory of former defence minister V K Krishna Menon, for his contributions to social justice and fighting against corruption in the judicial system.

The UK-based V K Krishna Menon Foundation has announced to give first V K Krishna Menon Award to Justice Balakrishnan, who will receive the award on November 1 at India House here.

"Justice Balakrishnan has been chosen for the award for his contributions to social justice through consistently upholding the rights and interests of the common people in India," secretary of the foundation, Krishnan Kutty Menon, said in a statement.

"Balakrishnan has also contributed to the friendly relation with the "world wide judiciary", Menon said.

While Supreme Court judge Arijit Pasayat has been invited as the chief guest of the function, Indian High Commissioner Shiv Shankar Mukherjee will be the Guest of Honour.

The objectives of the foundation are to eradicate illiteracy and propagate knowledge among the masses of the world, promote oriental art and culture, eliminate poverty, encourage proliferation and promote Non-Aligned Movement in the world, he said.

V K Krishna Menon was a freedom fighter and independent India s first high commissioner to the UK. Later on he also became defence minister of the country during Jawaharlal Nehru's prime ministership.
Source : PTI