38th Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards to be presented on December 1st, 2015

The 38th Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards ceremony is scheduled on December 1st, 2015 at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA.  The winners will be commemorated at a special function in Mumbai. This prestigious occasion will be graced by Chief Guest Prof. Rajmohan Gandhi, acclaimed historian, biographer, and peace-builder. Prof. Rajmohan Gandhi, is currently Scholar-in Residence at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar. Until end-2012 he served as Research Professor, Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Prof. Gandhi​  has been associated from 1956 with Initiatives of Change, formerly known as Moral Re-Armament, where he served in 2009 and 2010 as its international president.

The Foundation had received over 100 nominations this year.

Every year, the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards are presented to Individuals for their outstanding contributionin four categories:

1)     Constructive Work

2)     Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development

3)     Development and Welfare of Women and Children

4)     International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India

Each award consists of a Citation, a Trophy and a special Cash Prize of Rs. 10,00,000/- in each category.

The Foundation continues to serve the ideals to which Shri Jamnalal Bajaj had dedicated his life and promotes the kind of Gandhian constructive activities, in which he himself was deeply involved during the lifetime.

Shri Rahul Bajaj, Chairman, Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation expresses, “Our economy and polity are embedded in our society. Only if society progresses can we progress in other dimensions. `Social capital’ has to be created and maintained to allow sustained development of `economic capital’. In our varied land, this requires a commitment to inclusive development and a celebration of its diversity.

Jamnalal Bajaj awards are broadly given to people who exemplify such thinking. These ideals gain meaning and expression only through deeds of men and women. Honouring the exemplars of such values is a small but necessary step to reassert their continuing relevance in the public sphere. We, at the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, are happy to play this role.”

Dr. Jst. C. S. Dharmadhikari (Retd.), Chairman, Council of Advisors of the Foundation states, “The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation in a span of 37 years has been respected as a Gandhian establishment in areas of developing the socio economic arena in our country. It strives to serve the ideals of                               Shri Jamnalal Bajaj and promotes Gandhian constructive activities in India and abroad.Shri Jamnalalji was a true son of India. He dedicated his life to Khadi, Go-seva, the removal of untouchability and many other movements that are our integral part of India’s freedom story.”

Shri Jamnalal Bajaj was adopted by Mahatma Gandhi as his fifth son and was the alter ego of the Mahatma in the Gandhian Constructive Movement.

The Foundation’s four awards are given annually to honor and encourage the outstanding contribution of the selfless men and women towards the upliftment and development of the society, rural community and the nation, at large.  Dr. Jst. Dharmadhikari adds, “The objective is to recognise and suitably reward the efforts of these people who have dedicated their life to Gandhian constructive work and ideals which Jamnalal Bajaj had cherished all his life. There are three National Awards and one International Award.”

Shri Madhur Bajaj, Trustee, Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation states, “With an enduring commitment to recognize the notable achievements and contributions to the society at large, Jamnalal Bajaj Awards have emerged as a distinguished awards platform in the country today. Over the years Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation has conferred and recognized extraordinary individuals who have created a mark and advocated the true ethos and philosophy of Gandhian principles. Contributing selflessly to the ecosystem and surrounding communities through holistic and constructive socio-economic endeavors has always been upheld by Shri Jamnalal Bajaj. The Foundation strives to inspire many such committed individuals by acknowledging and felicitating their efforts.”