by Sachin Murdeshwar

Mumbai  :Regional level Jury meeting for 3rd Edition of Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman by JSPL Foundation, the CSR arm of leading steelmaker Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL),has been held today at Mumbai. Out of the total 106 entries received for the this national level award from Western Indian States, 60 entries were shortlisted and the regional jury selected 10 individuals and 10 organizations to represent the West India in the National Assessment to be conducted at New Delhi in August 2019.

The Regional jury committee members were Professor in Tata Institute of Social Science’s School of Health Systems Studies Dr. Shankar Das, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay’s  Professor in Physics Dr. Basanta Kumar Nandi, Former Chief General Manager of NABARD Mr. S.K. Kale, Senior Journalist Mr. Om Prakash Tiwari and Management Consultant and Researcher Dr. Mita Dixit..

JSPL’s Group Head (CSR & Sustainability) Mr. Prashant Kumar Hota briefed the Jury about the concept and objective of Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman and requested the members to independently assess the entries.

The Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman has been instituted by JSPL Foundation, under the guidance of its Co-Chairperson Smt. Shallu Jindal, to honor unsung heroes for their societal achievements.“The Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman is an effort to identify and honour the unsung heroes who with their Courage, Determination and a Will have defied all odds to bring about a change in the society. like the previous two editions, we have received overwhelming response from various states of India and most of the entries are truly inspiring,” said Smt. Jindal.

OP Jindal Global University is the Knowledge Partner of the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman, 2019.

The selected entries from the Western Region will go for assessment in the National Jury meeting to be conducted in New Delhi in August 2019. After the national level evaluation 10 Individuals &Organizations will be selected and conferred upon the Prestigious Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman. An honorarium of Rs. 100,000/- (One Lakh) along with a citation will -be awarded to each winners.

This national level award will be given in 10 categories – Rural Development, Health, Education, Women Empowerment, Public Service/ Social Service, Entrepreneurship, Art and Craft, Innovation & Technology, Livelihood/Vocational, and Environment Skills- after a robust process of jury meetings at regional and national levels.

The ‘Swayamsiddh Samman’ has so far been conferred upon more than 160 grass root action leaders, both at Regional and National level. The First Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman, in 2015 had received 358 entries from across the country. Out of them 25 individuals and organizations across the country from different walks of life were felicitated with the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman. In the second edition of the Awards, JSPL Foundation introduced the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Jeevan Samman for lifelong inspirational and selfless service. The Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman was awarded to 12 Individuals & 9 Organizations, from across India for their societal contribution in the 11 categories. Today, these awardees have become ‘Ambassadors of Change’ and are guiding others to achieve their dreams, thus forming a human chain.