Delhi, December 10, 2023, Union Minister Smriti Irani has extended her congratulations to the distinguished recipients of the Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Youth Award during the award ceremony held at the ABVP National Conference.
The 2023 edition of the Professor Yeshwantrao Kelkar Youth Award Ceremony unfolded at the ‘Indraprastha Nagar’ tent city in DDA Ground, Burari, Delhi on Sunday. Notable figures present on the stage included renowned journalist Rajat Sharma, ABVP National President Dr. Rajsharan Shahi, ABVP National Secretary Yagywalkya Shukla, Secretary of the Reception Committee for the ABVP National Conference Rajiv Babbar, and DUSU Secretary Aprajita.
The recipients of the prestigious Prof. Yeshwantrao Kelkar Youth Award 2023 were Shri Sharad Vivek Sagar of Patna, Bihar, acknowledged for his efforts in providing world-class education to Bharatiya youth from low-income backgrounds; ‘Millets Queen’ Sushri Lahari Bai Padiya from Dindori, Madhya Pradesh, recognised for her ground-level work in the conservation and enrichment of Shree-Anna (Millets); and Dr. Vaibhav Bhandari from Pali, Rajasthan, honored for his contributions to improving the standard of living and boosting self-confidence among Divyangs.
Rajat Sharma, serving as the chief guest, bestowed the esteemed awards upon the recipients, highlighting the significance of the Yashwantrao Kelkar Youth Award in recognising unique contributions. The award ceremony marked the presence of key figures, including ABVP National President Dr. Rajsharan Shahi, ABVP National Secretary Yagywalkya Shukla, and others.
Instituted in 1991, the Prof. Yeshwantrao Kelkar Youth Award is dedicated to the memory of Professor Yeshwantrao Kelkar, recognised as the architect of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. The award is a collaborative initiative of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Vidyarthi Nidhi Trust, both dedicated to the progress and education of students.
The award, aimed at highlighting the work of young social entrepreneurs, carries a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-, a certificate, and a memento. During the ceremony, Sharad Vivek Sagar emphasised the award’s prestige and uniqueness, while Lahari Bai Padiya advocated for the widespread conservation and promotion of millets. Dr. Vaibhav Bhandari acknowledged the significant role played by ABVP in shaping his social journey.
Reflecting on the pivotal role of ABVP in his life during the emergency, Rajat Sharma praised the organisation’s commitment to the nation’s concerns, stating, “ABVP is the student organisation that thinks about the nation’s concerns.”
ABVP National President Dr. Rajsharan Shahi underscored Professor Yeshwantrao Kelkar’s legacy, noting, “If you want to know about ABVP, read about Professor Yashwantrao Kelkar.”
In closing, ABVP National President Prof. Rajsharan Shahi, ABVP National General Secretary Yagywalkya Shukla, ABVP National Organising Secretary Ashish Chauhan, and Milind Marathe, Chairman of the Selection Committee, extended their congratulations to the winners and wished them success in their future endeavors.
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