Mumbai: The 37th Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards ceremony is scheduled on November 
28, 2014 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 Mr. Kailash Satyarthi, renowned Nobel Peace Laureate, 2014 and children rights activist and, who will felicitate the awardees. The Foundation had received a record number of over 130 nominations this year.
Every year, the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards are presented to Individuals for their outstanding contribution in 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.
This year the Foundation commemorates the 125th Birth Anniversary of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj. As a tribute to this special occasion the Foundation has increased the prize amount from Rs. 5,00,000/- to Rs. 10,00,000/- in each category, with effect from the Awards to be presented for 2014. It 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 Madhur Bajaj, Trustee, Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation states, “The Jamnalal Bajaj Awards has gained unparalleled significance with its efforts to honour the exemplary achievers who have made noteworthy contributions to the society. It has witnessed exponential growth in gaining prominence as well as eliciting active interest from remarkable individuals across the world. This resonates wonderfully with the true ethos and philosophy of Shri Jamnalalji’s altruistic principles and practices that have stood the test of time. The award recognizes and rewards the outstanding efforts of those personalities who have diligently dedicated their lives towards implementing Gandhian values through constructive work and ideas, thus amply enriching and bettering the lives of communities.”
The awards for recognition in the field of Constructive Work and Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development were instituted in 1978. The award for the Development and Welfare of Women and Children was introduced in 1980 in the memory of Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj, wife of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj. The International Award was instituted in 1988 in commemoration of the birth centenary of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj.
The awards for outstanding contribution in the field of Constructive Work, for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development and for outstanding contribution towards Development and Welfare of Women and Children and/or Gandhian constructive work are given to individuals in India. The International Award is presented to individuals other than Indian citizens for their contribution in promoting Gandhian values outside India.
This year, 133 people from across the country sent applications, recommending 52 names from 20 States in the category of Constructive Work, 20 nominations from 12 States in the category of Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development and 48 applications from 18 States for the award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children. 13 people representing 11 countries were nominated for the International Award.
source:Lokesh shastri