JSPL Foundation launches Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman, 2017
New Delhi: JSPL Foundation instituted the ‘Swayamsiddh Samman’ in 2015 to identify, reward and nurture social innovators and change makers from the grass-roots in India. The award was instituted to honour the unsung heroes who overcame adversities in their lives to create their own unique identity, displaying exemplary courage, commitment and dedication towards their cause. The ‘Swayamsiddh Samman’ has so far been conferred upon more than 160 grass root action leaders, both at State and National level. In its Inaugural Edition, in 2015 – the National level Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman elicited an overwhelming response from across India, post which 25 Individuals and Organizations from different walks of life were felicitated with the Samman. Today, these awardees have become ‘Ambassadors of Change’ and are guiding others to achieve their dreams, thus forming a human chain.
Taking this initiative forward,the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman – 2017 is currently underway and will culminate with the Award Ceremony, on 20th April, 2017 at New Delhi. This year the foundation will be honoring 10 exemplary Change Makers from across India for their societal achievements. The Call for Entries is open and the foundation invites Individuals & Organizations from across India to come forward and apply for the Awards. The Foundation encourages people to nominate such discerning individuals & organizations to be worthy recipients of the Awards. The application and nomination forms are available on www.jsplfoundation.co.in.
It is envisaged that these Swayam Shri’s would become Ambassadors of Change who will pan out in other parts of the country to work for the upliftment of the underprivileged and through their experience and learning’s guide others to achieve their dreams; thus forming a human chain.
Ms. Shallu Jindal, President, JSPL Foundation, opines – “Being Change makers ourselves, we realized that people from the grassroots rarely receive recognition for their societal contributions. Over the years, through the Swayamsiddh Samman we have identified, honored and nurtured individuals and organizations both at the regional as well as the national level; and brought to light their meaningful contributions towards the betterment of humankind. In the 2nd edition of the national level Awards, I invite you all to participate in Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman, which aims to surface Untold Stories of Courage from across India, which will inspire others, thus forming a human chain. The Awards are a celebration of the indomitable human spirit that strives to bring about a change in our society!”
An honorarium of Rupees 1 Lakh each will be awarded to 10 Change Makers (Individuals & Organizations) to encourage and support them in augmenting their efforts.The awards will be conferred across 10 categories viz. Women Empowerment, Entrepreneurship (start-ups), Education, Agriculture / Rural Development, Public Service / Social Service, Art and Crafts (Ancient Heritage/Village Crafts), Livelihood / Vocational Skills, Health, Innovation / Technology (related to Science) and Environment.
OP Jindal Global University is the Knowledge Partner for the awards and will be responsible for earmarking the parameters and finalizing the awardees with the help of four regional juries and one national jury. The call for entries is currently underway and will close on 15th March, 2017.
Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of the OP Jindal Global University said –“The University is enthused to be a part of this humanitarian initiative. We take pride in being the Knowledge Partner for the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Awards. ThisPartnership with JSPL Foundation marks a significant milestone for our globally oriented university to mobilize knowledge to work on local needs of our industry partners who are engaged in sustainable community development using CSR as a vehicle of social change. We have articulated critical parameters for the assessment of the Awardees based on regional and national priorities in alignment to the Sustainable Development Agenda in India.”
Entries received from across Indiawill be assimilated into 4 Zones – North, East, West & South. The regional assessment of the entries will be done by four regional juries in Chandigarh, Kolkata, Mumbai & Hyderabad to evaluate entries on the basis of identified parameters and shortlist deserving Individuals & Organizations from the respective regions. The shortlisted entries from each region will then be placed before an eminent National Jury to select the “Swayam Shri’s”, who will be honored in the Award Presentation to be held in New Delhi on 20th April, 2017.