DEHRADUN: The prestigious Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Youth Award presented annually during the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) National Conference will be awarded on November 30 during the 71st National Conference of ABVP being held in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami will attend the ceremony as the Chief Guest. The National Conference will take place from November 28 to 30 at the specially established “Bhagwan Birsa Munda Nagar” at Parade Ground, Dehradun. This year, the award has been conferred upon Krishna Pandey ‘Azad’ from Gorakhpur.
Instituted in 1991 in memory of Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar, revered as the architect of ABVP, this award acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions to society. Prof. Kelkar played a pivotal role in expanding ABVP’s outreach and strengthening its organizational structure. The award is a joint initiative of ‘ABVP’ and the ‘Vidyarthi Kalyan Nidhi’, both committed to promoting student development and educational excellence. The objective of the award is to recognize and encourage impactful social entrepreneurship by young Indians, inspire commitment to social causes and promote service oriented initiatives among youth. The award includes a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000, a certificate, and a memento and will be presented by the Chief Minister on the concluding day of the conference.
Shrikrishna Pandey ‘Azad’, President of the “Smile Roti Bank Foundation,” has provided medical care, rehabilitation and support to more than two thousand destitute individuals suffering from mental illnesses in Gorakhpur and surrounding regions. His notable work also includes rehabilitation programmes for prison inmates, initiatives for the eradication of child begging, campaigns against substance abuse and contributions to sanitation and environmental protection. Through the operation of two rehabilitation centres and sustained public awareness efforts, he has brought positive change to the lives of countless children and youth. He has been honoured by the Government of Uttar Pradesh and several institutions for his remarkable social service.
ABVP National General Secretary Virendra Singh Solanki stated, “ABVP’s 71st National Conference is being held in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, a region known for its spiritual and cultural significance. Delegates from all states are enthusiastic about participating in this three-day conference, where discussions will be held on key themes such as education, society, environment, sports and service. We are delighted that Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami will grace the Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Youth Award ceremony as the Chief Guest on the final day and will felicitate Shrikrishna Pandey ‘Azad’ while interacting with the delegates.”
