47th Jamnalal Bajaj Awards Recognize Gandhian Warriors in Presence of the Chief Guest HH Swami Chidanand Saraswati

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 19: The prestigious 47th Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards were conferred, celebrating individuals whose impactful work reflects the essence of Gandhian values and humanitarian service. Four distinguished awardees were honoured at the annual ceremony in the presence of Chief Guest HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj; Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation; Trustee & Chairman Dr R. A. Mashelkar & Members of the Council of Advisers of the Foundation; and an esteemed gathering. Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi also serves as the Trustee of the Foundation.

Highlights:

• In continuation of the centennial tribute to Shri Ramkrishna Bajaj, each awardee received an enhanced cash prize of ₹20,00,000, a commemorative increase introduced in 2023.

• Awardees from Gujarat, Tamil Nadu,  Maharashtra and Russia were felicitated for their exemplary efforts.

• This year’s ceremony was also marked by the absence of Late Shri Madhur Bajaj, Trustee of the Foundation, whose legacy and commitment remain deeply valued.

Since its inception, the Foundation has commemorated the birth anniversary of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj by honouring individuals who have made significant contributions to humanitarian causes and Gandhian constructive programmes. Each awardee is presented with a Citation, Trophy, and a Cash Prize, in recognition of their selfless and committed efforts toward societal upliftment.

This year’s ceremony also marked a quiet moment of remembrance, being the first held in the absence of Late Shri Madhur Bajaj, Trustee of the Foundation, who passed away in April 2025. His steadfast dedication to the Foundation’s mission remains a guiding light.

In 2025, the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation continues the commemorative enhancement introduced in 2023, in which the prize amount was raised from ₹10,00,000 to ₹20,00,000 (and its equivalent in foreign exchange for the International Award) per category. This increase, in tribute to the centennial celebration of Shri Ramkrishna Bajaj, Founder of the Foundation, reaffirms the Foundation’s enduring commitment to honouring Shri Jamnalal Bajaj’s lifelong dedication to Gandhian values and societal progress.

 The details of the awards for this year (2025) are:

Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, addressing the occasion, said,

“Every year, the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards shine a light on extraordinary individuals whose selfless work brings Gandhian values to life in today’s world. This year’s recipients have not only transformed communities but also inspired a deeper commitment to compassion and constructive action. As we celebrate their achievements, we also take a moment to remember Late Shri Madhur Bajaj, whose quiet leadership and deep belief in the Foundation’s purpose remain integral to its journey forward. May these stories encourage many more to walk the path of service and social change.”

Dr R. A. Mashelkar, Chairman of the Council of Advisers, stated,

“Our awardees are our modern-day satyagrahis — warriors of conscience who fight with compassion, not confrontation. Each of them has proved that one determined heart can bring light where there was darkness, hope where there was despair. The awardees we honour today are living embodiments of Gandhian resilience, truth, and non-violence. Their work transcends boundaries and generations, proving that the principles of Shri Jamnalalji and Gandhiji remain timeless and transformative. Their dedication not only uplifts communities but also reaffirms our belief in the power of ethical leadership and unity in action.”

Minal Bajaj, Trustee & Hon. Director, Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, stated,

“Mahatma Gandhi had said about Shri Jamnalal Bajaj, who was adopted as his 5th son, that ‘he did not earn a single rupee through unethical means and whatever he earned, he spent it all for the good of the people.” Rather than an owner, he remained a trustee of his wealth. If one goes through the life of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj, one will recognise the tremendous influence which he had on Gandhiji. Jamanlal ji inspired his whole family to imbibe the Gandhian way of life. Our Awards purely serve these ideals. The Foundation leaves no stone unturned to reach the furthest corners of our country and the globe to identify hidden gems, ranging from those who have transformed the lives of a small community to those who have dared to change the course of a nation’s history. Our mission remains steadfast—to celebrate individuals and their selfless dedication.”

 About the 2025 Winners

 Hasmukh Babubhai Patel

Recipients of the Award for Constructive Work

 A lifelong Gandhian and rural development activist, Hasmukh Patel has dedicated over four decades to transforming the lives of marginalised communities in Gujarat. From Khadi promotion to tribal empowerment, his work reflects a deep commitment to self-reliance, peace, and sustainable development.

• Left home at 20 to dedicate his life to social upliftment, inspired by Gandhian and Sarvodaya leaders.

• Played a key role in the Narmada rehabilitation movement under Gandhian leadership.

• Founded Samvedana Sarvodaya Kendra, working across 450 villages in Vav-Tharad-Amirgarh.

• Helped reduce the average childbirth rate from 12 to a sustainable level through family planning awareness.

• Freed over 4,000 individuals from alcohol addiction, saving ₹70 lakh annually in the region.

• Curbed violent tribal customs like “Chadotaru” through peacebuilding and community engagement.

• Built 125 check dams and brought 6,000 hectares under irrigation, boosting tribal incomes.

• Enabled 1,000 rural women to gain self-employment through SHGs and handicraft training.

• Led disaster relief during the Kutch earthquake without government aid, relying on donors.

• Provided free education, meals, and healthcare to thousands of underprivileged children and patients.

P. M. Murugesan

Recipient of the Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development

 A farmer-turned-innovator from Tamil Nadu, P. M. Murugesan, transformed agricultural waste into a thriving rural enterprise. The banana fibre innovations he introduced have empowered thousands of women and promoted sustainable livelihoods across India.

• Developed machines to extract and process banana fiber from waste stems, replacing harmful burning practices.

• Founded Om Banana Craft Pvt. Ltd., producing eco-friendly products like baskets, mats, and bags.

• Created rope twining and length-counting machines, tripling productivity and reducing manual labor.

• Employed 300 women locally and trained 3,500 women across nine states in banana fibre craft.

• Provided skill training, insurance, and PF benefits to marginalised women workers.

• Helped banana farmers earn additional income by purchasing waste banana stems.

• Exported products internationally through various channels.

• Promoted sustainable waste-to-wealth models in rural communities.

• Inspired rural youth to pursue entrepreneurship through innovation and self-reliance.

 Triveni Acharya

Recipient of the Award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children

 A fearless anti-trafficking crusader, Triveni Acharya, has rescued and rehabilitated thousands of trafficked women and children through her organisation, Rescue Foundation. Her work exemplifies courage, compassion, and commitment to justice.

• Transitioned from journalism to full-time activism after uncovering human trafficking networks.

• Founded the Rescue Foundation in 2000, operating four rescue homes across India.

• Rescued over 7,000 women and girls; provided shelter and care to more than 11,000 survivors.

• Led 460 rescue operations since 2019, resulting in 2,041 rescues and 404 trafficker arrests.

• Offers comprehensive rehabilitation: health care, trauma counselling, legal aid, and education.

• Runs Project Ekatra, empowering survivors to become peer mentors and leaders.

• Collaborates with police, embassies, and NGOs to facilitate cross-border rescues and repatriations.

• Provides vocational training in tailoring, yoga, crafts, and more to support survivors’ livelihoods.

Sekacheva Lyudmila Leonidovna

Recipient of the International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India

A cultural diplomat and educator from Russia, Lyudmila Sekacheva has spent over two decades promoting the philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy across BRICS nations, fostering peace, nonviolence, and intercultural harmony.

•  Founded BRICS. World of Traditions to promote Gandhian and Tolstoyan values across BRICS countries.
• Organised over 200 projects supporting orphans, veterans, and marginalised communities.
• Led the international exhibition “Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi: A Unique Heritage” across five countries.
• Created the Great BRICS Teachers Project to honor global humanists and moral leaders.
• Launched BRICS People Choosing Life, reaching over 10,000 participants with cultural-educational programs.
• Established eight educational centres promoting Gandhian and Tolstoyan values in schools and colleges.
• Plans to open new centres in Brazil, Iran, Egypt, and South Africa.
• Initiated the Message to the World of BRICS People, signed by thousands of youth for peace and harmony.
• Gandhi’s teachings inspire advocates for including the “Law of Love” in national constitutions.
• Promotes public diplomacy and moral education as tools for global peace and understanding.

The Man behind the Awards – Jamnalal Bajaj was among the stalwarts who gave of himself completely – mind, body and soul to India’s freedom movement. He overreached himself in turning words into deeds and in implementing the Constructive Programme of Mahatma Gandhi, be it Khadi, Dalit welfare, women’s emancipation, ethics in business, or the preservation of cattle wealth through Goseva. So much so that Mahatma Gandhi adopted him as his fifth son and was the alter ego of the Mahatma in the Gandhian Constructive Movement. His second son, Ramkrishna Bajaj, carried this legacy through his ethical leadership in business and philanthropy, and established the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation to fulfil his father’s ideals.

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