The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation honoured winners for their exemplary efforts in the field of humanitarian and social work at the 46th edition of the Jamnalal Bajaj Awards early this month.
The details of the awards for this year (2024) are:
| Award Category | Awardee Name and Title | State/Country |
| Award for Constructive Work | Girija Nandan | Jharkhand |
| Award for Application of Science & Technology for Rural Development | Rashmi Bharti | Uttarakhand |
| Award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children (Instituted in memory of Padma Vibhushan Jankidevi Bajaj) | Dr. Tulasi Munda | Odisha |
| International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India | Reverend Erik Kumedisa | Democratic Republic of Congo |
The four awardees were felicitated at the annual award function in the presence of the Chief Guest Dr. Abhay Bang, Founder & Director, Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health (SEARCH), Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman, Board of Trustees of Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, Members of the Council of Advisers of the Foundation and the august gathering. Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi is the Trustee of the Foundation and Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, Former Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Chairman of National Innovation Foundation also serves as a Chairman, Council of Advisers of the Foundation.
Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation commenting on this year’s felicitation said , “Each year, the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards illuminate the incredible stories of individuals who, through their selfless service, carry forward Gandhian values into modern society. Congratulations to all the recipients; your dedication transforms communities and exemplifies the enduring power of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj’s ideals and Mahatma Gandhi’s constructive work programs. We invite others to be inspired by your work and to join in building a more compassionate world.”
Since the institution of these awards, the Foundation commemorates the birth anniversary of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj every year. As a tribute to the great man on this special occasion, the Foundation felicitated achievers in the field of humanitarian activities and Gandhian constructive programmes by presenting them with a Citation, a Trophy and a Cash Prize.
In tribute to the centennial celebration of Shri Ramkrishna Bajaj, Founder of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, the prize money was raised in 2023 from Rs. 10,00,000/- to Rs. 20,00,000/- (or its equivalent in foreign exchange for the International Award) per category. This commemorative increase continues in 2024 as the Foundation honors Shri Jamnalal Bajaj’s lifelong commitment to Gandhian values and societal advancement.
Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, Chairman, Council of Advisers stated, “Our awardees exemplify resilience and devotion in preserving and advancing Gandhian principles, which remain as relevant today as ever. We honor not only their remarkable achievements, but also the unwavering dedication with which they pursue their work. These individuals embody the timeless values of truth, non-violence, and unity, creating a better world for all. Their contributions remind us that Shri Jamnalalji’s and Gandhiji’s ideals are not bound by time, but continue to inspire a meaningful change.”
About the 2024 Winners
Girija Nandan: Recipients of the Award for Constructive Work
Girija Nandan, recipient of the 2024 Award for Constructive Work, has dedicated his life to advancing Gandhian ideals in Bihar and Jharkhand through transformative social programs. Born in a small village, he was moved by the hardships of the rural poor, motivating him to setup Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) in 1971, which has since become a beacon of community service and empowerment across the region. His efforts have created lasting change through initiatives in education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and advocacy for social justice.
“In our work, we have learned that instead of applying a one-size-fits-all development model across the country or a state, it would be more effective to provide assistance tailored to the needs of individuals or families, resulting in greater achievements with lower costs.
Despite economic prosperity, if a person is not virtuous, peace and happiness cannot prevail in their life or in society. Therefore, while continuing with the current developmental work, we want to strive towards prohibition and building a morally upright society.
This award inspires us to make even greater efforts to become the voice of those standing on the margins of society and bring more improvement to their lives.” Girija Nandan
Rashmi Bharti: Recipient of the Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development
Rashmi Bharti, co-founder of Avani Society and a visionary in rural development, has spent over three decades creating sustainable livelihoods, empowering local communities, and preserving traditional crafts in Uttarakhand and Odisha. With her focus on eco-friendly practices, Rashmi Bharti has pioneered initiatives in renewable energy, natural dyes, and rural enterprise, transforming remote villages and providing self-reliant income avenues for over 2,000 artisans. Her dedication to sustainable rural development exemplifies her belief in local action for global impact.
“The challenges were many – of changing mindsets, of being accepted by the community and to set up an initiative that would last beyond our lifetime. It was slow progression built on dialogue, inclusiveness and compassion. Learning was mutual and respectful of the traditional knowledge systems. It allowed us to have a friendship with the community not as beneficiaries but as people living in the same eco system. The fact that we were living in the village helped establish trust, but it took time. The love and acceptance we have received from village communities is what has kept us going. The honesty of intention brought us grace and a large network of friends and well-wishers both in India and worldwide for which we are forever grateful.
Each of us is a magnet for things to happen. Our intention, action, passion and perseverance allow existence to conspire to support us in every way.” Rashmi Bharti
Dr. Tulasi Munda: Recipient of the Award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children
Dr. Tulasi Munda, known as “Tulasi Apa,” has dedicated her life to the upliftment of tribal communities in Odisha. As the founder and secretary of Adivasi Vikash Samity, she has passionately pursued education and social reform for over six decades, bringing transformative change to the lives of marginalized people in the mining regions of Odisha.
“During one-year long Bharat Yatra of Santh Vinoba Bhave for Bhoodan Movement, I was nominated to accompany him. This has changed my outlook, way of life and service orientation.
With training and orientation, I was then told to run community development services with community participation. With active support and cooperation, I could form more than 300 Gram Sabha and resolved numerous issues.
Finding mines area children unattended by parents for education, I started non-formal education centred and later established several schools. In last 50 years, more than 30,000 students have been passed out from my schools and many of them are employed in different sectors. Similarly, there are several success stories in other sectors too.”
Tulasi Munda
Reverend Erik Kumedisa: Recipient of the International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India
Erik Kumedisa, an academic and pastor, has dedicated his life to promoting peace and Gandhian principles in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the founder of the Gandhi Monks Community, he has inspired countless individuals through education, non-violence advocacy, and community initiatives aimed at creating a culture of self-sufficiency and non-violence.
“Since the Constitutive Act of the Gandhi Monks; I have been fighting on all fronts of life to bring about a Satyagraha Society. Very often I organize training for peasant farmers where new ideas are given to learn how to be self-sufficient (SWADESHI), to fertilize the land and to improve their breeding. In addition to theoretical courses, the participants carry out practical work. The sceptics now believe and recognize the usefulness of putting the principles of Gandhian doctrine into practice. The most important thing we do is to see that everything people learn; they do it at home. Although this does not provide all the solutions to the problems in their lives, it allows some to improve their daily lives.” Rev. Erik Kumedisa
