47th Jamnalal Bajaj Awards 2025 Pay Tribute to the “Gandhian Warriors”
47th Jamnalal Bajaj Awards 2025 Pay Tribute to the “Gandhian Warriors”
The 47th Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards paid tribute to individuals whose life and work embody the enduring values of Mahatma Gandhi and the humanitarian vision of Jamnalal Bajaj. The ceremony was graced by Chief Guest HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj; Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation; Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, Trustee & Chairman; Members of the Council of Advisers; and an esteemed gathering. Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi also serves as a Trustee of the Foundation.
Since its inception, the Foundation has observed the birth anniversary of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj by honouring individuals who have made outstanding 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 service, unwavering commitment to societal upliftment, and dedication to the greater good.
The ceremony this year was marked by a moment of quiet remembrance, the first in the absence of Late Shri Madhur Bajaj, Trustee of the Foundation, who passed away in April 2025. His commitment to the Foundation’s purpose remains a lasting influence.
Continuing the enhancement introduced in 2023, the prize amount remains elevated from ₹10,00,000 to ₹20,00,000 (and its equivalent in foreign exchange for the International Award) per category. This increase, instituted 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 legacy of Gandhian values and social progress.
The Awardees are as follows:
Award for Constructive Work- Hasmukh Babubhai Patel (Founder Trustee, Samvedana Trust, Gujarat)
Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development – P. M. Murugesan (Director, Om Banana Craft Pvt. Ltd., Tamil Nadu)
Award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children- Triveni Acharya (President & Co-Founder, Rescue Foundation, Maharashtra)
International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India- Sekacheva Lyudmila Leonidovna (President, Regional Public Organisation, ‘BRICS. World of Traditions’, Russia)
Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, addressing the occasion, shared “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 an integral part of 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, remarked:
“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, reflected:
“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 recognize 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 the hidden gems and they range from those who have transformed the lives of a small community to those who have dared to change the course of history of a nation. Our mission remains steadfast—to celebrate individuals and their selfless dedication.”
Chief Guest, HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj said,
“Today, as we celebrate these remarkable change makers, we celebrate the light of Gandhi that still guides us. These awardees remind us that true greatness lies not in wealth or position, but in service. Those who live for themselves are forgotten, but those who live for others are remembered for thousands of years.
Our world today moves with great speed, but Gandhi taught us that speed without direction is dangerous. Education without values is like a river without water, it flows, but quenches no thirst. What we need is value-based education, compassionate leadership, and truthful living.
The message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future, must be our mantra. Our languages, colors, and foods may differ, but the language of the heart is one. Hatred is not the way, violence is not the way, and peace is the only way. The choice is ours: to live in peace or in pieces.
In this age of Artificial Intelligence, let us also nurture Rishi Intelligence, wisdom, love, and compassion. Technology can fill our shelves, but only humanity can fill our souls. True happiness is not found in shopping malls or on screens, but in service, sharing, and self-connection. Before we sleep each night, let us ask, are we becoming bitter or better? Because in the end, no profile goes with us; only the file of our karma does. Let us walk the Gandhian path of Satya, Prem, and Karuna, truth, love, and compassion, and together build a world of peace and purpose.”
The 47th Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards stand as a dignified tribute to the spirit of service and moral courage. Through the lives and work of its awardees, the Foundation continues to uphold the legacy of Jamnalal Bajaj, a legacy rooted in Gandhian principles, inspiring the building of a society grounded in moral courage, selfless action, and social progress.
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