Union Labour Minister Presents 27th and 28th Mahaveer Awards Honouring Champions in Diverse Humanitarian Endeavours

Union Labour Minister Presents 27th and 28th Mahaveer Awards Honouring Champions in Diverse Humanitarian Endeavours Awardees were from across India; recognised for their selfless service in the fields of Non-Violence & Vegetarianism, Education, Medicine, and Community & Social Service. Instituted by the Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, each award carries a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh, a commendatory citation, and a memento. Chennai, May 2025 Hon’ble Union Labour and Employment and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya presented the 27th and 28th Mahaveer Awards, instituted by the Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, honouring champions of diverse humanitarian causes including non-violence, education, medicine, and community service, at a grand function held in the city recently (on 9th May). The event also witnessed the presentation of Dr. Nemichand Jain Memorial Award to Prof. Bhagchandra Jain, author of Jain Sanskrutik Chetna Ke Swar, for propagating the teachings of Bhagwan Mahaveer; the award carries a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh. The awards were presented in the presence of Shri T.S. Krishnamurthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India and Member of the Mahaveer Awards Selection Jury; Shri S. Prasanchand Jain, Managing Trustee of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation; Shri Pramod Jain, Shri Vinoth Kumar and Shri Pratik Jain, Trustees of the Foundation. The 27th Mahaveer Awards were presented to Radha Surabhi Gau Seva Trust, Uttar Pradesh for Non-Violence & Vegetarianism; Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline, Jammu & Kashmir for Education; Parivaar Education Society, West Bengal for Medicine; and Group Captain Shri Atul Chandra Barua, Assam for Community & Social Service. The 28th Mahaveer Awards honoured Shree Krishana Gopal Gouseva Samiti, Rajasthan for Non-Violence & Vegetarianism; Ms. Vidhya Das, Odisha for Education; Association for Health Workers in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu for Medicine; and Ashadeep, Assam for Community & Social Service. Each Mahaveer Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, along with a commendatory citation and a memento. The book Bridges to My Past, authored by Shri N. Sugalchand Jain, Founder of Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation was launched at the function. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya released the first copy of the book that was received by Justice Shri G. S. Singhvi, former Judge of Supreme Court of India. In his comments, Shri. Sugalchand Jain, Founder, Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, said, “We believe that individuals and social organisations dedicated to non-violence & vegetarianism, education, medicine, and community & social service play a crucial role in the holistic development of our nation. For over 28 years, through the Mahaveer Awards, we have been recognising the exceptional contributions of such champions in these vital areas. We are honoured to recognise the awardees of the 27th and 28th editions, whose remarkable efforts in serving society despite numerous challenges inspire us all. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to them and trust that this recognition will encourage further public support for their ongoing work. We also express our gratitude to the esteemed jury members for their meticulous efforts in selecting these deserving individuals and organisations.” Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, a non-profit organisation, has been presenting the Mahaveer Award to identify, encourage and honour people and organisations doing selfless services under the four categories of non-violence & vegetarianism, education, medicine, and community & social service. The Foundation accepts nominations from all over the country. The awardees are selected by an eminent jury. The prominent members of the Mahaveer Awards Jury in recent years include Justice Shri M. N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India; Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Former Chief Justice of India; Poojya Acharya Shri Chandanaji Maharaj, a renowned social reformer; Shri S. Gurumurthy, Editor of Thuglak; Prof. B. M. Hegde, Chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mangalore Kendra; Shri T. S. Krishnamurthy; Shri D. R. Mehta, I.A.S. (Retd.), former Chairman of SEBI; Shri Prabhat Kumar, I.A.S. (Retd.), former Cabinet Secretary, Government of India; Justice Shri G. S. Singhvi; and Shri Prabhat Kumar, I.A.S. (Retd.), former Cabinet Secretary, Government of India. A brief description of 27th Mahaveer Award winners: The Radha Surabhi Gau Seva Trust, founded in 1996, cares for over 1800 sick, injured, and handicapped cows in Braj, providing them shelter, food, and medical care. The Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline, established in 2003, advocates for people with disabilities by offering educational support and distributing assistive devices like wheelchairs and hearing aids. The Parivaar Education Society has been working for 19 years in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, focusing on the welfare of vulnerable children, including orphans and street children. Group Captain Shri Atul Chandra Barua from Guwahati, Assam, has dedicated his life to rescuing abandoned elderly women and providing them with a safe, loving home. A brief description of 28th Mahaveer Award winners: The Shree Krishana Gopal Gouseva Samiti, Rajasthan, promotes cow welfare, non-violence, and vegetarianism. Ms. Vidhya Das, Odisha, is recognised for empowering underprivileged children through education. The Association for Health Workers in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, provides healthcare services to rural communities, improving health and wellbeing. Ashadeep, Assam, supports people with mental health challenges, offering care and social integration.