Gurgaon, April 08, 2016: The 6th annual Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme felicitated Nikhiya Shamsher, a class VIII student of Greenwood High School, Bangalore and Deeya Shroff, a class XI student of Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai with top honors in the Individual Category, for their extraordinary contribution to community service. They were selected from over 5,000 nominations received from school students across India. The winners were presented with Gold Medallions, Certificates of Excellence, a cash reward of Rs. 50,000 each, and a return trip to Washington, D.C. in May 2016. While in Washington, D.C., the winners will represent India in the global felicitation ceremonies for The Spirit of Community Award winners from eight participating countries across the world. The awards were presented to the gold medalists in the presence of Rahul Bose, film personality and social activist.
Nikhiya is the founder of two initiatives – ‘Bags, Books & Blessings’ and ‘Yearn to Learn’ that facilitate education facilities for underprivileged children. Through her initiative ‘Yearn To Learn’, she has set up 11 laboratories in three schools in Bangalore, which has benefitted over 2,250 students in the region. Deeya has impacted the lives of 1200+ individuals through her project ‘Jal Jeevan’ that she undertook in collaboration with Eureka Forbes that provides clean and purified drinking water through water ATMs to 300 families in rural India.
The prestigious awards programme organized by DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (DPLI) is the India chapter of the Spirit of Community Awards, the largest youth recognition programme in the United States based exclusively on volunteer service.
The recipient of Gold Medallions in the Group Category are Vishamuhil S and her friends, class VIII students of P.U.M.S Kalachery West, Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu. They have taken the initiative to spread awareness against suicides in their village. With the aid of street plays, rallies and one-on-one meetings, these children have tried to make parents aware of the need to think about their children’s future instead of taking a drastic step to end their lives if times are bad. The hard work and continued efforts of Vishamuhil S and her friends has shown very optimistic results. They started this campaign in November 2011 and in the past four years, there have been no suicide cases in their village.
Additionally, 14 other well deserving finalists in the Individual Category and seven students in the Group Category received Certificates of Achievement and silver medallions for their outstanding community service. The winners were selected by an eminent jury panel comprising Padma Sri Kathak Guru Shovana Narayan, Ms. Romaine San Francesco, Project Head, Samarpan Foundation, Mr. Narayanan Madhavan, Senior Associate Editor, Hindustan Times, Prof. Manoj. K Jha, Head of the Department of Social Work, University of Delhi, Mr. Kapil Pandey, President and Co-Founder of Kutumb Foundation, and Mr. Ashwani Singla, Founding Managing Partner, Astrum.
Addressing the finalists at the awards ceremony, MR. ANOOP PABBY, MD & CEO, DHFL PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE CO. LTD. said, “Most of us at some point in our lives have felt strongly about a cause. But I can tell you that very few of us have actually gone out and done something about it. This is what makes all you children present here so special. You have actively participated in and initiated projects which you believed in, and the thought that has gone behind each of them is really humbling and inspiring.”
“The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme is our way of letting you know that we truly appreciate the remarkable work that each one of you are doing. Your genuine concern for others, your commitment to give back to your community, the lasting impact you’ve had on numerous people – all of this set you apart and make you inspiring examples for all of us to emulate,” Mr Pabby added.
Furthermore, 30 Bronze Medalists in the Individual Category and seven teams in the Group Category are being felicitated for their significant efforts in the area of community service.
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
