New Delhi—The Sant Eshwer Foundation celebrated ten years of community service with the 10th Sant Eshwer Samman awards on Sunday, Oct 5, at the Bharat Ratna C Subramaniam Auditorium. The ceremony honored 18 grassroots changemakers and small organisations that have worked tirelessly for tribal development, rural upliftment, and women’s and children’s welfare.
The event saw the presentation of ₹32 lakhs in grants across three award categories. Since the first Samman in 2014, the Foundation has given more than ₹3 crores to 153 social reformers who embody Indian values of self‑less service.
Key dignitaries attended, including Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan (Rural Development), and Minister Bhupender Yadav (Environment). The speeches praised the recipients’ dedication. “The real meaning of life is to help others,” said Minister Chauhan, adding that the award recognised those who live by the phrase Nar Seva Narayan Seva—serving God through service to people.
RSS secretary Hosabale thanked the community for its “silent warriors” and “great souls” who have earned the family’s respect for a decade. The Foundation’s founder, Kapil Khanna, highlighted the Foundation’s growth from a modest vision to a wide‑ranging network that “feels honoured” by its awardees. He also announced a new eco‑friendly invitation format, cutting down on paper waste.
The evening opened with vibrant cultural performances that blended patriotism and social messages. A coffee‑table book titled Building the Better Bharat was launched to showcase a decade of inspiring stories. Minister Yadav praised the book for honouring self‑reliant citizens in line with Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals.
The awards were split into three categories: Vishisht Sewa Samman, Sewa Samman, and Vishesh Sewa Samman. Each category covered four areas: tribal development, rural development, women and child welfare, and a special contribution category rooted in Indian ethos.
Four recipients received Vishisht Sewa Samman, each awarded ₹5 lakhs. Govardhan Panda (Odisha) was honoured for his work with indigenous communities, while Devendrappa (Karnataka) received recognition for rural programmes. The Jeevan Anand Sansthan (Maharashtra) and Samarpan Foundation (Uttar Pradesh) received awards for women and child development and special contributions, respectively.
A further 12 recipients earned the Sewa Samman with ₹1 lakh grants. Tribals, such as Mahamandaleshwar Raghunath Dasji (Maharashtra), Dr Ambedkar Vanvasi Kalyan Trust (Gujarat), and Shri Katung Vaghe (Arunachal Pradesh) were named for tribal development. Rural development winners included Gramin Vikas Sangham (Andhra Pradesh), Rekha Prabhakar Chauhan (Maharashtra), and Nidhi Tripathi (Uttar Pradesh).
The Special Contribution awards highlighted organisations that impact society at scale. The Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) and Netra Khumbh 2025 received Vishesh Sewa Samman. AWWA has empowered army families through skill‑building and support for war widows, while Netra Khumbh 2025, a massive eye‑health initiative at Mahakhumbh in Prayagraj, has provided free eye examinations, medicine, glasses, and treatment to hundreds of thousands of devotees, preventing blindness across the country.
The Sant Eshwer Samman remains a platform that shines a light on unsung heroes. By celebrating their courage, compassion, and community spirit, the Foundation inspires millions to adopt the values of service and self‑less action in their own lives.
Source: aninews
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