CHENNAI: To encourage organisations working at the grassroot levels and towards social causes, the Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation has announced the list of winners of the 18th Mahaveer Awards.
Prasanchand Jain, managing trustee, Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, said that this year the Foundation had decided to award four organisations for their social outreach and fight towards causes like non-violence, vegetarianism, education, medicine, community and social service.
“The organisations that will receive the award under the various categories are Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals, Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh; Kasthurba Gandhi Kanya Gurukulam, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu in the field of education; Mental Health and Human Rights Research Center (SEVAC), Kolkata, in the field of Medicine; and Vikas Bharti, Jharkhand, in the field of community and social service,” said Prasanchand.
“The organisations will receive `10 lakh cash award along with a citation and memento. We are happy to recognise the institutions working at the grass roots. These organisations have always worked harder and increased their reach and service in society,” he added.
“This year saw over 10,000 letters being sent out to eminent people across India to nominate institutions, after which we received 330 entries in the four categories which were short-listed to 33 nominees by a panel, which was headed by Justice MN Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice. The date of the award ceremony will be shortly notified,” said PV Krishnamurthy, honorary executive trustee, Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation.
The Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation was founded by Sugalchand Jain in 1994, as a means to honour the institutions working for society and its upliftment. The winners of last year’s edition include Blue Cross of India and Sri Sarada Ashram, Ulundhurpet.
