Untold Stories of Courage

,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Untold Stories of Courage

Second Edition, 2017
Knowledge Partner Media Partner

EDUCATION ART & CULTURE INNOVATION SPORTS 1

ENVIRONMENT

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT HEALTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP PUBLIC SERVICE AGRICULTURE

JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Foreword

“The Courage, Commitment and focuses on our thrust areas that

Confidence of Swayamsiddh Shri’s include health, education, skill
is an inspiration for all of us to development, infrastructure and
overcome the challenges of life with Environment conservation.
grit and determination. I am sure
these untold stories of courage will go Taking this agenda forward, JSPL
a long way in inspiring others to work Foundation under the initiative of
towards the holistic development of Smt. Shallu Jindal, our Director,
our great nation.” launched the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh
Samman, in 2015 to felicitate and
Naveen Jindal Our beloved Founder, Shri O.P. surface the great work done by people
Chairman Jindal always espoused – “To bring at the grassroots across India.
Jindal Steel & Power Limited about change you have to start from
the roots.” JSPL Foundation, is I am pleased to note that in the Second
guided by this tenet that without Edition of the Awards, 22 change
the upliftment of the weaker and makers from across India are being
backward sections of the society, our felicitated for their commendable
dream of being a leading nation of the societal work. Knowing about the
world shall remain unfulfilled. work of these Swayamsiddh Shri’s has
been a great learning experience.
JSPL Foundation epitomizes our
vision to help achieve inclusive I continue to be inspired by these
growth for all. Since inception, we grassroot change makers and am
have impacted the lives of millions certain they will inspire others to work
and remain committed to building towards the development of our great
the nation of our dreams. I firmly nation.
believe, business is an enabling force
I commend them for their work and
for social advancement and our
wish them all the success in life!
community interventions coherently

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 Untold Stories of Courage

,d igy cnyko dh vksj

President Speak

“The Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Organizations. In addition to the

Samman aims to bring out stories ten categories, we have introduced
that have yet been untold. Stories of the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Jeevan
Courage, Determination and a Will Samman for lifelong societal
to bring about a change in the society. contribution and a Special Category
The Samman is an effort to salute of Indomitable Courage. We elicited
such people and provide them with a an overwhelming response in all the
national platform, so that others too categories from across India. The
can take inspiration from them.” National Jury finally had the daunting
Shallu Jindal task of adjudging the winners, since
President JSPL Foundation, the CSR arm of they were all so deserving.
JSPL Foundation Jindal Steel & Power, has positively
impacted the lives of millions through Whether it is the indomitable spirit
sustained community outreach across of Shalini Saraswathi a quadruple
India. Being change makers ourselves, amputee who runs marathons,
we institutionalised the national level Malavath Poorna a tribal girl from
awards - Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Telangana who scaled Mount Everst
Samman in 2015, to recognise and at the age of 13, or Gazi Jallaludin
nurture talent from the grassroots a taxi driver from Kolkata who runs
level who have done inspirational and two schools and an orphanage from
selfless service across India. his meagre income. They are all truly
awe inspiring and humbling to say the
In the Inaugural edition of the awards, least.
29 Individuals & Organizations from
all across India were felicitated for I congratulate all the winners and
their unique contribution to nation welcome them into our developmental
building. journey.

Inkeeping with the legacy, in the Let us all applaud these real heroes
second edition of the Rashtriya and be inspired by their exemplary
Swayamsiddh Samman we are work towards the holistic development
honoring 22 Individuals & of our Nation!
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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

About JSPL Foundation

JSPL Foundation is the executing arm of sustainable social development initiatives other developmental agencies with an
Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) implemented by Jindal Steel & Power objective of bringing about a radical
Group CSR activities which works with across its business locations. The CSR transformation in the lives of the
the community near business operations interventions are focused on enhancing communities and integrating them into
of the JSPL group as well as other parts quality of life of the community in the the mainstream development process
of the country. vicinity of business locations by way of the country. The Foundation drives
of improving community healthcare holistic community initiatives to help
JSPL Foundation is dedicated to the and education, and also developing address some of the persistent social
cause of humanity and is focused upon critical small civic infrastructures besides challenges in the realms of Healthcare,
improving the Human Development generating sustainable livelihood options, Water and Sanitation, Education &
Index by way of positioning itself as a promoting sports, art and culture. Skill Development, Infrastructure
parenting force of various Social Change & Community Development, and
Agents operating at the ground level. The The Foundation has aligned its Empowerment of Women.
Foundation has been guiding force of the programmes with the Government and

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

JSPL Foundation, the CSR arm of JSPL, level Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman and are guiding others to achieve their
instituted the ‘Swayamsiddh Samman’ in elicited an overwhelming response with dreams, thus forming a human chain.
2015 to identify, reward and nurture the 358 entries from across the country. Out
network of social innovators and change of these, 203 entries were shortlisted Taking this initiative forward, the second
makers at the grass-root level in India. based on laid down parameters. 25 edition of Rashtriya Swayamsiddh
The award was instituted to honour the individuals and organisations across Samman is being organised to reward
unsung heroes who overcame adversities the country from different walks of and highlight the untold stories of courage
in their lives to create their own unique life were felicitated with the Rashtriya and determination of similar grass-root
identity, displaying exemplary courage, Swayamsiddh Samman. The awards were leaders and social innovators in India.
commitment and dedication towards their conferred in 10 categories viz. Women The ‘Samman’ will be conferred upon
cause. The ‘Swayamsiddh Samman’ has Empowerment, Entrepreneurship & Change Agents i.e. individuals and
so far been conferred upon more than Livelihood, Education, Agriculture & organisations from across India through a
160 grass root action leaders, both at Rural Development, Public Service, robust process of jury meetings at regional
State and National level. Sports, Health, Innovation & Technology and national levels. O. P. Jindal Global
and Environment. Today, these awardees University (OPJGU) is the knowledge
In its Inaugural Edition, the National have become ‘Ambassadors of Change’ partner for the awards.

Glimpses of Inaugural Edition 2015-16

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman,

Second Edition (2017)
In the second edition of the Awards, JSPL Foundation has introduced the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Jeevan Samman for life long inspira-
tional and selfless service. The Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman will be awarded to 12 Individuals & 9 Organizations, from across India
for their societal contribution in the respective categories. In addition to the National Level Award, the Swayamsiddh Shri’s - Individuals
& Organizations, will receive an honorarium of rupees One Lakh each for their exemplary work in the identified categories.

Indomitable Agriculture & Rural Women Innovation

Courage Development Empowerment & Technology

Public Service Health Education Sports

Art & Culture Environment Entrepreneurship

& Livelihood

Parameters/Criteria
1. At least three years of dedicated service in relevant area at the grass roots level
2. A credible personal/organisation and respect in society
3. Achievements that are the best in peer group
4. Uniqueness of the work done
5. High level of impact on ground
6. High degree of trust worthiness
7. High potential of replication of idea/project
8. Partnership and multi-stakeholder approach to ongoing work/project
9. Previous funding support from credible organisation
10. Positive visibility in society
11. Entrepreneurial zeal and innovative approach to work/project
12. Funding support from corporate
13. Relevance to Millennium Development Goals(MDGs)/forthcoming Social Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations

*The Award in Public Service, Individual category is being shared by two individuals.

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Award Process Snapshot ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

For Information / Application / Nomination: -

http://jsplfoundation.co.in/swayamsiddh/apply.html
Call for Entries Entries were sent by Email to: awards@jsplfoundation.co.in
& By Post to: Ms. Bhavna Sethi, JSPL Foundation, Jindal Centre, 12 Bhikaji
Cama Place, New Delhi- 110066

Entry forms received were be collated and grouped into regional zones by JSPL Foundation
Preliminary Screening and were further assimilated as per identified categories.

O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana - India’s premier University, the
Knowledge Partner screened and regionally assimilated entries were further assessed as
Knowledge Partnership per evaluation parameters and metrics. The shortlisted Applicants went through to the
STAGE 1

Regional Rounds.
16th - 22nd March, 2017

Entries received from across India - were assimilated on the basis of regional zones.
The regional jury evaluated entries based on critical parameters.
North Chandigarh
Regional Assessment East Kolkata
West Mumbai
South Hyderabad 23rd March - 05th April, 2017

The shortlisted individuals & organisations were subjected to site visits, referrals and
Revalidation primary & secondary research.
STAGE 2

The finalists from the regional rounds were evaluated by an eminent National Jury. The
Jury was guided by the Knowledge Partner and JSPL Foundation to select the final winners
National Jury of the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman, Second Edition, 2017.
Week of 10th July, 2017

Thursday, 03rd August 2017

Award Presentation Venue : Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in the publication has been provided by the applicants. In addition to the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Jeevan Samman,
the 21 winners of the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman have been selected based on the information provided by applicants and collective judgement of Jury
members at regional and national levels. Neither JSPL Foundation nor any of its employees nor knowledge and process partner give any warranty of accuracy,
nor accept any liability as a result of reliance upon the content by any direct or indirect parties. The publication also contains some information available in the
public domain, created and maintained by the applicants and their organisations. The photographs and logos of winning awardees, consolation prize winners
and inspirational models used in the publication are also provided by the applicants themselves and are inter alia property of applicants. JSPL Foundation does
not warrant or solicit any kind of act or omission based on this publication and fully owns the copyright of this publication.This booklet has been published for
information and illustrative purposes only and is not intended to serve as an advice of any nature, whatsoever. In event, any part of the publication is to be used
or produced by a third party in any manner whatsoever; they would need to provide proper attribution.

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Jeevan Samman

Dr. (Prof.) Prasanna Kumar Patasani
Odisha
Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani is a Association of Future Humanity at
Scholar, Philosopher, lyricist and an Oxford (UK) in 1989. Dr. Patasani
eminent literarian. He has been a has also addressed the Colloquium on
Parliamentarian for the last five terms the subject – ‘Towards a Democratic
and is currently serving as a member of New World’ in Paris.
the 16th Lok Sabha of India.
He has to his credit over 70 books
He is best known for his unique of Poetry, philosophy, spiritualism
contributions in the field of literature and psychology, many of which have
and has authored numerous books been translated into major Indian
on poetry, philosophy, spirituality, languages. He is the Founder of
travel and psychology. Besides being Abadhut Group of Rebel Poets, his
a PhD and D.Litt , in order to satiate literary renditions reflect the struggle of
his spiritual cravings, he joined the the common man for survival.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram at
Rishikesh and embraced yoga and
spiritual practices and became a
Dr. Patasani is the founder of
strong proponent of yogic practices 18 Educational and Spiritual
and transcendental meditation. Institutions and President of
He travelled the world extensively about 75 similar Institutions.
professing the impact of yoga and He has pioneered the
meditation in controlling the scrounge development of Bhubaneswar
of social crime. For his contributions and the state of Odisha into
to the cause of World Peace, he was
awarded with the Messenger of Peace,
an educational hub.
at the International Conference of

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Untold Stories of Courage

Indomitable Courage
Special Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Shalini Saraswathi
Bangalore, Karnataka
Based in Bangalore, 37 year old and mental strength, with her husband
Shalini, lost all her four limbs owing Prashanth Chowdappa by her side.
to a rare bacterial infection. Back in
Inspite & despite all adversities, she
2013, she had just returned from
fought back with an indomitable spirit
vacation in Cambodia when she
and today is a role model for not just
suddenly fell ill. What started off as a
the differently abled but to the entire
fever quickly developed into something
humankind.
far more serious and Shalini, who was
also pregnant at the time, was suddenly
on the brink of death and dealing with
JSPL Foundation salutes the
multiple organ failures. indomitable spirit of Shalini
Saraswathi, a Quadruple
Doctors diagnosing the illness in
Bengaluru, however, thought it was
Amputee, who has overcome
dengue. They could not have been adversities and is a source
more wrong. In the course of the next of inspiration to us all.
few months, she had a miscarriage,
both legs and her left hand amputated, Today she is a writer, motivational
following which her right hand just “fell speaker and a sports enthusiast. This
off.” trained Bharatnatyam dancer is an
avid blade runner and even runs
Having gone through the rigours of marathons. She is a true beacon of
mainstream medicincal procedures, she hope, endurance and epitomizes the
finally turned to Ayurveda, that helped indomitable spirit.
her in the healing process. And not
before long she regained her physical

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Women Empowerment
Winner-Individual Category

Josephine Selvaraj
Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Josephine, is fondly known as economically supports a work force
the ‘Queen Bee’ and ‘Florence of over 300 and is a role model for
Nightingale’ for her unique women across India.
contribution in empowering women
An author of three books on Bee
and augmenting their economic
keeping and Sting therapy, she has
independence. What started out, as
helped 420 women set up honey bee
a means of supporting her husband in
farms and trained more than 50,000
troubled times is today a flourishing
people under the National Honey
Woman Entrepreneurship Model.
Mission. Many SHG groups have
She received her initial bee keeping
adopted her model and empowered
training at Madurai’s Krishi Vigyan
the lives of women with secondary
Kendra and now regularly imparts
income in the rural hinterland of
training and mobilises women to take
Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
up bee keeping, which was otherwise a
male bastion.
Her tryst with bees started way back
Owing to Josephine Selvaraj’s
in 2006, and today besides being a consistent efforts over the
Bee Entrepreneur she is also a Healer. years, over 20,000 women
Her close association and experiential have received free training
learning with bees not only led to the on bee-keeping and have
development of therapeutic honey embraced bee framing as
but also made her a sting therapist
an avenue for sustained
of repute, for treating High Blood
Pressure and Arthritis. She is a
livelihood.
successful woman entrepreneur and

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Women Empowerment
Winner-Organisation Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Maaghara Maa Ghara’s unique

Foundation Trust activation model has
become a state wide people’s
Bhubaneswar, movement to stop atrocities
Odisha Being stirred to action, on account of on women and restore their
the deplorable condition of women in human rights with dignity.
the rural hinterland in Odisha; a group
of committed and dedicated young
It has 7 women helpline
women workers started Maa Ghara, counseling and legal advice
in 2004 to work for the upliftment of centres in 7 districts of
womenfolk. Maaghara is on mission Odisha. There are about
to strive for a society where there is 10,000 women members
respect and safety for each women. working as peacemakers
The Organization has a two pronged in the remote and tribal
approach- Sensitization & Advocacy
on one hand and field services on the
villages across Odisha.
other. The dedicated direct field service
includes rescuing and rehabilitating action. These women groups stir into
trafficked and sexually abused victims immediate action and cohesively work
and giving them temporary shelter, towards insulating the victimized
food, healthcare, legal support and from repeat adversity and endeavors
various trainings for capacity building. to secure her rights. As part of the
The Organization manifests itself as a preventive paradigm – they reach out
shelter which is a transit home for these to vulnerable sections and sensitize
victimized women until they get legal them against existing social crimes,
remedies and are economically secure. which include trafficking, child labor,
domestic violence and physical abuse.
The Organization has a participatory
model which encourages volunteers Over the last decade, the holistic efforts
from amongst women in the of the Organization have resulted in the
neighborhood communities of the rescue and rehabilitation of thousands
victimized girls thereby forming of distressed women across age groups
Community Vigilance for corroborative in Odisha.

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Education
Winner-Individual Category

Gazi Jallaluddin
Sundarbans, West Bengal
Gazi Jallaluddin, 65 year old taxi He thus embarked on a mission
driver in Kolkata had to stop his to empower the downtrodden in
studies due to poverty, but today runs his community through education
2 schools and an orphanage in his and training that would impact
native Sundarbans. A victim of the their quality of life and secure their
rampant migration from village to livelihoods.
cities owing to abject poverty, young
This resulted in the formation of
Gazi had to beg for alms on the busy
the Sundarban Driving Samiti.
streets of Kolkata. At the tender age of
The unique training model not only
13, he worked as a rickshaw puller but
trained youth to become able drivers
with hard work he became a taxi driver
but also espoused that the beneficiary
and was able to eke out a decent living.
of the training program in turn trains
Having navigated his life through two more in their circle and thereby
hardships, he nurtured a desire form a human chain of learning. The
to help children from his native chain still continues and today, there
village Sundarbans who were being are 300 boys from the Sundarbans
accustomed to the same travails. driving taxis and earning their living in
Kolkata. Towards the goal of providing
Gazi Jallaluddin’s unique initiative has impacted basic education, he set up Sunderban
the lives of over 1500 families. Today his school has Shikshayatan- a cooperative charity
a strength of 425 students and 21 teachers and is that is run by contributions from
growing from strength to strength, on the back of his gainfully employed taxi drivers for
fund raising for establishing schools
earnings and charity from his community as well for primary education of the poor and
as philanthropists. orphans in the community.

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Education
Winner-Organisation Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

WE4YOU visually impaired in India. Their

outreach model involves volunteers
Charitable Trust who lend their voices to these Audio
Books.
Bhubaneswar,
Their interventions also include
Odisha WE4YOU is a charitable trust, set disseminating these Audio Books to
up by 7 young minds, all of them their intended community of students
engineers working in Odisha, Delhi, both in schools as well as colleges. This
Bengaluru, who are committed unique intervention uses IT and IT
to providing accessible education enabled services wherein volunteers
to visually challenged students, can make these audio files on their

While the country is home to 12 million blind students,

there are only 10 Braille Press units in India, which is
not enough to meet the demand. Educating the visually
impaired through Audio Books is an innovative mode
of intervention. Till date the organisation has converted
more than 500 books into audiobooks in
Odia, Hindi and English language.
enhancing their skills and educating Personal Computers at their own
them for gainful employment. The convenience. These files are then
idea struck the engineers when they scrutinised and pass the rigors of
volunteered to lend their voice to institutional accreditation before being
blind students and assisted them with acknowledged as an Audio Book.
the scripting of answer sheets during
their 10th examinations. This gesture They have been awarded by the
culminated into WE4YOU. Odisha government for Innovation
in Education in the Disability sector.
Formal education for the visually Their network of volunteers is growing
impaired has been a grave concern, enormously in other parts of India and
and this unique initiative could is impacting the lives of thousands of
perhaps be the answer for providing visually impaired individuals across
basic to formal or technical education Chennai, Gurgaon and Bangalore.
with the help of voice books for the
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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Health
Winner-Individual Category

Subhasini Mistry
Hanspukur, West Bengal
Subhashini Mistry, is an extraordinary to fruition her dream of building a
woman in deed. She was all of 33 Hospital for the poor and needy in
when her husband died of a stomach memory of her departed husband, who
ailment. She could not afford the died due to lack of medical care.
treatment. Penniless and with four
Today at 80, she is still actively
children to raise, she harboured a
involved with the hospital and her
dream of building a hospital for the
younger son Ajoy, a doctor is carrying
needy. She worked as a house maid,
forth her mission at the hospital.
on farms, as a bricklayer and selling
vegetables by the roadside for more
than 40 years to raise Rs 300,000 The 100-bed hospital in
to build first a basic shed then a Hanspukur, in the eastern
modern concrete structure. Indian state of West Bengal
She faced hardships all her life, be it was opened in 1993, since
the early demise of her husband or then it has treated more than
the fact that she had to put two of her 250,000 patients free
children in an orphanage since she
of cost, saving countless
could not educate them. She overcame
all adversities of life, through her hard
lives.
work, perseverance and brought

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Health
Winner-Organisation Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Gramin Samaj The focused approach of community

based case finding strategy which
Kalyan Vikas involved screening of the entire
Manch community in Palamu across
demographics has become a role
Palamu, GSKVM is a non-government
model of outreach by a NGO. They
have reached out through awareness
Jharkhand voluntary organization, operates camps to a mass in excess of 10,000
in Jharkhand across the districts of in their operative geographies.
Latehar, Garhwa and Palamu. The most cost-effective way to stop
the spread of TB in communities with
The cases of tuberculosis are rising
a high incidence is by curing it. TB-
in Jharkhand, with over 34,000
DOTS (directly observed treatment)
new cases being reported in the state.
is the name given to the tuberculosis
Armed with a vision to support the
control strategy recommended by
government’s efforts, to curtail the
the World Health Organization. A
disease, GSKVM implemented a TB
unique aspect of their outreach was
care and Control project which was
the hand holding and support rendered
supported by WHO, in collaboration
for individuals suffering from TB to
with the Revised National Tuberculosis
complete the prescribed treatment
Control Program.
program.

Tuberculosis, the silent killer; kills 5 lakh Indians every

year, making it a big challenge for India to achieve
its goal of being TB free by 2025. Through a multi-
pronged approach of sensitization, advocacy, preventive
and remedial action and adherence to treatment
modules, this NGO has been able to impact 3152
individuals directly within the first year, till date 12,181
individuals have benefitted from the program.

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Art & Culture

Winner-Individual Category

Anup Ranjan Pandey

Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Anup Ranjan Pandey, a theatre
personality and musician from Anup has been working for
Chhattisgarh, conceptualized the the cause of protecting and
Bastar Band by involving people of promoting tribal dance and
several tribes like Gonds, Marhias, music forms for over 22
Bisonhorn, Halba, Bhatra, Parja years. The 125-member
Murias, Dorla, Abujmarhias and ensemble Bastar Band
Dhurva, from the heartland of India.
Each of the tribes has a unique dance
plays at least 50 ancient
form, which is being preserved, instruments and sings from
protected and promoted by this its repertoire of 150 songs
connoisseur of tribal art. across the state and all over
The deterioration of peace and erosion
the country, spreading the
in the performing art traditions were message of love, peace,
the compelling factors that incited him brotherhood and
to work to salvage these art forms from ecological harmony.
the threat of extinction and catalyzed
the foundation of Bastar Band. parts of the country in an attempt to
Bastar Band, a music and dance band showcase the beauty of tribal dance
from Bastar, Chhattisgarh, aims at forms of tribal people living in Bastar
taking different tribal dance forms and also to create interest in it so that
and music to the doorsteps of the the dance form is passed on to the next
urban folk. The band tours different generation.

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Art & Culture

Winner-Organisation Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Khamir Craft This joint initiative of Kachchh Nav

Nirman Abhiyan and the Nehru
Resource Centre Foundation for Development, was
incepted in 2015. Today, Khamir
Kachchh, Gujarat strives to create a democratic and
empowering space - a common roof
under which a range of stakeholders

Khamir was established in the

aftermath of the Bhuj earthquake. Khamir is committed to
Khamir is a not for profit promotional the vision of a vibrant,
platform for the crafts, heritage and sustainable Indian craft
cultural ecology of the Kachchh region sector in which crafts and
of Gujarat. The organization aims artisans alike are highly
to serve as a cultural resource centre valued by people worldwide.
that enables artisans to conserve their
traditional way of life by creating
At present they are working
sustainable livelihoods centered on with 150 craft units in
their craft. Kachchh region impacting
the lives of about 3000
The name stands for Kachchh
Heritage, Art, Music, Information and
artisans.
Resources. Khamir means ‘intrinsic
pride’ in Kachchhi, the local language. can exchange ideas and collaborate. It
In Hindi it means ‘to ferment’ an serves as a platform for the promotion
equally apt name given the constant of traditional handicrafts and allied
fermentation and cross pollination of cultural practices, the processes
artistic activities that play out within involved in their creation, and the
the organization as well as in the preservation of culture, community
Kachchh region at large. and local environments.

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Entrepreneurship & Livelihood

Winner-Individual Category

Vikash Das
Balasore, Odisha
A budding social entrepreneur, Vikash inclusive growth. He followed his heart
Das is known for his innovations in and founded ‘Vat Vrikshya’. This is
democratizing rural non-farming where it all began!
sector & building sustainable impact
His guiding tenet –is to transform the
enterprises. He is the founder of Vat
socio-economic scenario of India by
Vrikshya, a social enterprise which
nurturing entrepreneurship among
aims to facilitate the development
women in rural India and encouraging
process to improve the quality of life
them to be the change agents in their
of tribal women through participatory
communities.
action and entrepreneurship so as to
ensure sustainability. What started in just one village has now
expanded and spans across four states of
Vikash is the chief change maker at
Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and
Vat Vrikshya, prior to which he was
Chhattisgarh. The enterprise provides
working as IT Security Analyst in IBM
women with vocational training,
Corp. Bangalore. He always wanted
soft loans, expert advice and market
to do something that empowered the
linkages to help develop supplementary
most vulnerable communities in the
sources of income. The tribal women
tribal region and bring equitable and
are mentored on concepts of savings
and networking through leadership,
Vat Vrikshya is working with 2300 women artisans marketing skills along with financial
and has directly impacted the lives of thousands literacy. It also tracks their progress
of villagers due to the ripple effect of broad based and has reached out through training
community development programs. and intervention programs to 17,000
marginalized women communities.

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Entrepreneurship &
Livelihood
Winner-Organisation Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Alombro Mayu In the district of Lower

Yaku Chi Amey Dibang Valley, AAMYA has
Aroga promoted a District level
federation The federation
Roing, Arunachal comprises of 48 SHGs from
Pradesh 20 Villages and was set up
“Sustained Livelihood Development
with a vision to act as catalyst
and gainful employment”. for viable socio-economic
development of the region.
ALOMBRO MAYU YAKU CHI
AMEY AROGA commonly known The federation has already
as AMYAA NGO stands for social set up a SHG rural mart for
transformation. The service of AMYAA marketing of local handloom
working in targeted rural areas of and handicrafts products.
Eastern Region of Arunachal Pradesh
has been basically to redefine the lives
AMYAA has promoted 20
of the poor by facilitating sustainable farmer’s clubs to be organized
livelihood opportunities. Strengthening into Producers Organization
the grassroots groups (NaRMGs, for systematic marketing of
SHGs, and Farmer’s Clubs) through
frequent capacity building and training
the agri-horticulture
has been the primary focus of AMYAA. products.
The Organization encourages
inclusivity and believes in enabling the The Organization is headed by Mr.
community members to be responsible R K Paul and has been credited to
for their own development through have formed the first All Women
active participation at all levels of the Cooperative in Arunachal Pradesh.
developmental process.

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Innovation & Technology

Winner-Individual Category

Uddhab Bharali
Lakhimpur, Assam
Mr. Uddhab Bharali, a farmer in Project (NERCRMP) and other
Assam has the unique distinction of Institutions across India. He also
developing more than 85 engineering believes in sharing his innovative
devices for different purposes in experiences and has technically trained
agriculture. An innovator par over 50 youth from rural areas, who
excellence he has to his credit over 105 are in turn impacting their agrarian
innovations, with 53 registrations with communities.
National Innovation Foundation.
Out of these thirteen have been He indigenously developed a
commercialised.
polythene making machine
Mr. Bharali set up a research at a subsidised cost of sixty
workshop to help local communities seven thousand rupees, when
and industries solve their technological company made machines
needs in his hometown of North
Lakshimpur on the banks of the river
were priced at Rs. 4 lakh.
Brahmaputra. He started to design Additionally, this agrarian
machines and devices that would help innovator has developed several
small scale farmers to increase their other utility machines like
productivity and revenues. the pomergranate de-seeder,
Many of the innovations are popular garlic peeling machine, tobacco
in foreign countries too. He has been leaf cutter, paddy thresher,
acknowledged for his unique forte cane stripping machine and
and advises agencies like the Central several other mechanised
Silk board, North Eastern Region machines.
Community Resource Management

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Untold Stories of Courage

Public Service
Winner-Individual Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Sarabjeet Singh
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Sarabjeet Singh is a Shimla based cancer patients and their attendants at
philanthropist who selflessly takes Shimla’s only cancer hospital. Other
the responsibility of providing solace than the canteen, five Roti banks have
to both the living and the dead. At a also been started to collect fresh roti’s
time when even paid drivers were not everyday from volunteer families who
keen on doing it, this Good Samaritan serve the community. The free canteens
ferries the abandoned dead and living are a huge respite for the patients and
for free. attendants, especially the poor, who
are already bogged down with the high
At first he started out by assisting
cost of treatment.
the Gurudwara in organizing blood
donation camps and continued doing All the blood banks in the state have his
so long after the Gurudwara stopped. phone number and know they can rely
He also set up a free canteen for on him in case of an emergency.

Singh has also been running a free 24X7 funeral van

service to help the dead in their final journey, be it night
or day. Till date, Singh has ferried more than 5,000
bodies. For the last 10 years, he has also been organizing
blood donation camps and has collected more than
20,000 units of blood for Shimla’s hospital.

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Public Service
Winner-Individual Category

S Murugan
Kochi, Kerala
Murugan, who hails from Kerala, an the care of hospitals, shelters and
auto driver by profession. However, old age homes, since 2002. He
he is no ordinary rickshaw driver, for institutionalized his public service
he ferries the hurt, incapacitated and under the NGO – Theruvoram. He
needy for free. also started to provide shelter, food
and medicine for the orphaned street
Belonging to a poor family in
children. This self taught citizens’
Chengotta district in Tamil Nadu, his
noble work and acclaim soon spread,
parents migrated to Idukki district in
such that in 2013, Theruvoram was
Kerala in search of work. They eked
given the responsibility of running the
out a living as plantation laborers
social justice department’s shelter for
who could not afford educating their
homeless.
son. Given the abject poverty, he spent
his childhood doing odd chores to
supplement their income and be able Over the years Murugan
to give exams through the Open school has been able to rescue,
system. He completed secondary level rehabilitate and help over
education and learned to drive and 8000 children and poor.
became an auto rickshaw driver. His NGO is actively working
Having lived on the streets for the in 17 districts of Kerala to
better part of his growing years, he save the lives of homeless,
has been ferrying and rescuing the injured and destitute
poor, sick and mentally challenged
from the streets and leaving them in
street children.

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Public Service
Winner-Organisation Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Haroon Mukati This bank only deals in

Islamic Centre freshly cooked food items
and today feeds over
Aurangabad, 800 people daily, while
Maharashtra duly maintaining strict
HMIC, has the unique distinction of quality control and hygiene
founding the first Roti Bank of its kind standards.
in Maharashtra. This bank is situated
on the busy Jinsi-Baijipura Road As word of the bank spread,
in the heart of the Aurangabad city. membership at the centre shot up and
The idea behind the bank was to ask now HMIC boasts of 350 members
people from well-to-do families to and about 200 donor deposits are
spare and deposit home cooked rotis recorded daily. To open an account
with vegetarian or non-vegetarian at the roti bank, the donor has to fill
food, which would then be ferried to up a form and obtain a code number.
demarcated areas, from where the The details of the depositor are
poor, unemployed and needy could stored under this number. The bank
withdraw it respectfully without operates between 11 am and 9 pm and
resorting to begging. maintains strict hygiene and tagging of
the food and consumables.
The organization initially mobilized
100 donors to provide food security Drawing strength from the success of
for the under privileged through this the Roti Bank, HMIC has launched a
unique initiative. Kapda bank on the same lines.

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Sports
Winner-Individual Category

Malavath Poorna
Nizamabad, Telangana
Malavath Poorna (currently 16), was The aim of her expedition was to
the youngest girl to climb Mount Everest inspire young people and students from
at the tender age of 13. She hails from her tribal background and encourage
a small tribal village and learned them to take up sporting activities
mountain climbing at her school, and show their mettle. Since then
showed immense potential got formally she has represented India in various
trained and completed the dangerous international expeditions and brought
Himalayan mountaineering journey on laurels for India.
May 25, 2014. Having achieved this
feat so early in life, she is already a role
model for tribal children. Hailing from
Scaling Mount Everest is
Nizamabad, this poor Indian farmer’s incredibly taxing and over
daughter shed joyful tears at the summit 250 people have died trying
after a grueling climb across difficult to climb it. Altitude above
terrain overcoming personal fear. She roughly 26,000 feet is
reminiscences seeing dead bodies of considered death zone, since
mountaineers during her climb, the there is not enough oxygen
gruesome sights did not deter this young
girl from scaling new heights.
to sustain human life.

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Sports
Winner-Organisation Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Astha Mr. Sunil Jain, himself being wheel

chair bound is the Founder Trustee
and Chief Enabler of Astha. A
Bangalore, Chartered Accountant by profession,
Karnataka he mentors and guides para-athletes
to reach excellence in their chosen
Sports and achieve success. Inkeeping
Astha is an organization that aims in with the agenda, Indian Wheelchair
creating and providing opportunities Tennis Tour (IWTT), a division of
for interaction between the “able” ASTHA is working towards the single
and the “differently able” worlds. minded objective of advocating the
This unique approach enables the participation of an Indian contingent
participation of both these worlds in this Para Olympic Sport in the next
and enhances the quality of life of the 3-5 years.
targeted beneficiaries.

India with a population of 200+ lakh differently-abled

people got just 12 medals in the Para Olympics. There has
been no concerted effort to develop competitive wheelchair
tennis in India. ASTHA has successfully conducted India’s
first AITA ranked wheelchair tennis tournament wherein 34
players participated. In the second series, this number will
grow to 46, since 12 more individuals have been
trained.

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Agriculture & Rural Development

Winner-Individual Category

Akash Chaurasia
Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
Akash Chaurasia a 29 year old &
resident of village Tilli, district Jalna This young farmer believes
Madhya Pradesh hails from a very in sharing his experiential
small farming family. Having done learnings with the farming
his senior secondary he has invented a community at large. He has
multi layer farming at a field of 3 Acres trained 32 thousand farmers
which he has taken on rent.
from all over the country in
This true son of the soil, got through his farm in Sagar Madhya
PMT (Medical Entrance) in his state Pradesh. He has prepared
but instead chose to follow his heart 42 agricultural models all
and championed the cause of safer
crop yields through organic farming.
across the country in different
His family beckoned him to pursue parts. He has given training
Medicine but he did not give in and in 19 universities on organic
continued on his journey of developing farming & multi layering
techniques to maximize output. techniques. He has been able
He developed a unique four layer to generate INR 10.5 lacs
farming technique where four different per acre-an incredible yield.
crops are sown in the same piece of
land harnessing the sub soil, top soil
and using climbers and creepers for by which the produce is four times
variety in layering. In this technique, more and the expenses are 4 to 5
that has been endorsed by Krishi times less. This is a crop intensive and
Vigyan Kendra, Sagar - with the same high density cropping technique which
amount of fertilizer, water, labor and yield maximum yields with optimum
money, four different crops are grown. utilization of resources.
He uses organic farming techniques,

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Agriculture & Rural

Development
Winner-Organisation Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Krishi Yog the services to its members. Also

they are working on a model where
Hyderabad, the farmer group can engage local
resources to deliver services, thereby
Telangana providing employment opportunities
and augments rural develeopment.
Krishiyog, a unique initiative, under Advaita Organics works towards
Advaita Organics - provides end-to- creating a more efficient and
end support to small and marginal sustainable agricultural supply chain
farmers to make their farming that increases farmer incomes. They
profitable and sustainable. These solve problems using technology, and
unique interventions across Andhra make agriculture more sustainable,
Pradesh include access to institutional even as they make organically grown,
credit, input procurement, crop pesticide-free agricultural produce,
management, agri-extension services an inherent part of the daily urban
and marketing support. It is currently lifestyle through easy access.
working with farmer groups to deliver

The cumulative impact of these interventions in drought

prone and challenging environments where farmer suicides
are common occurrences is noteworthy. The tangible
impact is reflected by a 4% reduction in interest rates for
farmers, a 10% improvement in yield and Improvement
in Net savings per crop for a farmer with 2 acre farm is
approximately Rs 12,450.

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Environment
Winner-Individual Category

Sachidanand Bharati
Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Sachidanand Bharati, was born in and forest use land. Bharati initiated
1955 in the Uttrakhand region to successful dialogues and non-
a mother who was the first woman violent confrontations between hill
panchayat leader of the region. When communities and the government. It
he was older, Bharati became involved led to policy reversal and the retreat of
in the Chipko movement. state presence from indigenous, green
turf.
As a leader in the Chipko movement,
Bharati mobilized cross-generational, Following the deluge in Uttrakhand
non-violent environmental uprisings in 2013, he stepped up not only
and groups across Uttrakhand and was his reforestation pursuits but also
instrumental in reversal of forest lands augmented water conservation
and 4.3 million hectares of land from programs. Towards this, he mobilised
commercial use back to agriculture women from the Mahila Mangal Dals
because women responded to the call for
In an area where the recurring narrative is that of mass reforestation and water management
de-forestation, dying springs, lost rivers, landslides intuitively and emotionally. Today,
there is an active collective of more
and associated environmental disasters his efforts have than 15,000 women in 150 villages,
given new hope to numerous groups in the who are committed to savvy water
Uttrakahnd terrain. management in the Himalayan region.

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 Untold Stories of Courage

Environment
Winner-Organisation Category ,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Suryakumbh of science and festival that positively

impacts everyone involved across
age groups to harness solar energy in
Jalna, Maharashtra everyday lives.
Simplified Technologies for Life was
established in 2011 with a vision of
taking solar energy to every home in
Suryakumbh - Simplified Technologies India, given the abundance of sunlight
for Life. in India. The idea was to use solar
cooking as an entry point and empower
Building upon the cultural heritage the users with an experience that would
of worshiping Surya - the Sun God inspire them to lead a more sustainable
as the ultimate source of energy life.
and celebrating the very experience
of life through a large gathering in
Kumbh, For past six years, Simplified While SuryaKumbh is designed
Technologies for Life has been
passionately working to ignite young
to introduce a family to the
minds through experience driven power and possibilities of solar
transformation. They have designed cooking through a child, the
a unique festival called SuryaKumbh real beneficiaries are rural
which is internationally acknowledged women who will escape the
as the World’s Largest Solar Festival, drudgery of collecting wood, be
SuryaKumbh has reached over less exposed harmful emissions
120,000 school children from a
and effectively harness the free
small tribal hamlet of Jawahar to
ultramodern city of Dubai. The
energy of the Sun
uniqueness of SuryaKumbh lies in efficaciously.
the way it creates a flavourful fusion

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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Prominent people from academia, businesses and NGOs active in the development sector from the four regions
were duly identified to be part of the regional Jury to select most deserving applicants at the regional level based on
pre-identified parameters provided to them. Similarly, people with long standing professional track records were
identified to be a part of the National Jury.

National Jury

Ms. Savitri Jindal Mrs. Shallu Jindal Mrs. Aruna Abhey Dr. (Prof.) C. Raj
Chairperson Emeritus President Oswal Kumar
O.P. Jindal Group JSPL Foundation Chairperson of Oswal Professor and Vice
Group Chancellor, O.P.
Jindal Global
Regional Juries University

Northern Region

Padma Bhushan Prof. Arun Kumar Dr. Yogesh Chawla Ms. Sangita Fr. Reji Tom
B.N Goswamy Grover Ex- Director PGIMER Vardhan Director of Don Bosco
Renowned Art Vice Chancellor, Chandigarh Chairperson, Navjeevan Society,
Historian Punjab University Vatsal Chaya Trust Chandigarh

Eastern Region

Dr. Ashok Mr. Soumen Koley Mr. Adhrick Roy Mr. Wasim R Dr. Anuradha Das
Chakraborty Secretary Tapsil Jati Chairman & Kapoor Director, Garden High
Principal SHELTER, Adibasi Praktan Sainik Managing Director, Eminent Painter & International School,
Hooghly West Bengal Krishi Bikash Shilpa OTL Cab Artist, Kolkata Kolkata
Kendra

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 Untold Stories of Courage

,d igy cnyko dh vksj

Padma Shri Mr. Srijan Pal Singh Dr. Anurag Prof. Ranjan
Shovana Narayan Author, Social Agrawal Mohapatra
Kathak Guru & Entrepreneur & Physician, Academician Educator, CSR Specialist
Culture Catalyst CEO, Kalam Centre & Principal Scientist & Editor, CSR Vision
at CSIR

Western Region

Dr. Huzaifa Mr. Narottham Ms. Harsha Dr. Preeti Verma Prof. Shalini Bharat
Khorakiwala Reddy Mukherjee Director, Centre for Deputy Director
CEO, Wockhardt President, SBI Entrepreneur, IICSR Special Education, Tata Insititute of Social
Foundation Foundation SNDT Sciences

Southern Region

Padma Shri Padma Shri Prof. K. Narender Dr. Nibedita Prof. B. Balaswamy
Dr. Mohammed Abdul Dr. Aekka Yadagiri Director of
Patnaik Chairperson
Waheed Rao Educational Faculty in Special Board of Studies in
Former Officiating Renowned Sculptor, Multimedia Research Education & HOD Communication &
Director, Central Research Telangana Centre (EMRC), Department of Special Journalism, Osmania
Institute of Unani Medicine Osmania University Education, NIEPID, University
Hyderabad CCRUM Secunderabad
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JSPL Foundation Untold stories of Courage
www.jsplfoundation.co.in

Communication Address: Jindal Center, 12 Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi - 110066
Registered Office: Jindal Centre, Plot No.2, Sector 32, Gurgaon - 122001 (Haryana)
32 T +91 41462402 M +91 9560029642 W www.jsplfoundation.co.in