DEHRADUN: At the 71st National Conference of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami conferred the Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Youth Award upon Shrikrishna Pandey of Gorakhpur. Shrikrishna Pandey ‘Azad’ is the founder of the “Smile Roti Bank Foundation” and has made remarkable contributions to social service through the treatment and rehabilitation of more than two thousand destitute mentally ill individuals, eradication of child begging, de-addiction efforts, cleanliness, environmental protection, and the operation of two rehabilitation centres.
This award has been given since 1991 in the memory of Professor Yashwantrao Kelkar, who is regarded as the architect of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. He played a significant role in expanding ABVP’s work and in giving the organisation a broader structure. The award is a joint initiative of ABVP and the Vidyarthi Nidhi Nyas, committed to the advancement of students and to work in the field of education. The purpose of this award is to highlight the work of young social entrepreneurs, encourage them, instil gratitude towards social entrepreneurship among youth and inspire young Indians towards service. The ‘Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Youth Award’ is given to young individuals doing outstanding work in fields such as education, society, environment, and science. The award includes Rs 1,00,000/-, a certificate, and a memento.
On the final day of the national convention, four proposals ‘the need to bring all educational institutions under a unified structure with adequate financial allocation’; ‘Bangladeshi infiltration as a challenge to national security and democratic order’; ‘the role of society in preventing natural disasters arising from human activities’; and ‘organised society as the solution against divisive forces’ were passed after incorporating the suggestions received. ABVP had presented a total of five proposals, out of which the proposal ‘Youth as the flag bearer of Social Transformation’ had already been passed earlier in the National Executive Council meeting. After this, the Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Award ceremony was held, and finally, ABVP’s National Executive Body was announced.
In the three-day national convention being held in Devbhoomi, more than fifteen hundred delegates from 46 provinces across the country, along with the friendly nation Nepal, are participating as per ABVP’s organisational structure. In this national conference, students, professors, and academicians from across the country are deliberating on issues related to education, society, environment, culture, and more. On the first day of the convention, November 28, world-renowned space scientist and former ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath inaugurated the programme. On the second day, a grand Shobha Yatra was taken out by ABVP on the streets of Devbhoomi.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Award ceremony during the 71st National Convention of ABVP, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “Today, I feel immense happiness and pride to be present on the sacred land of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand at the 71st National Conference of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and the Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Award ceremony. First of all, I heartily congratulate this year’s recipient of the Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Award, Shrikrishna Pandey ‘Azad’ of Gorakhpur. His life’s work is a shining example of dedication, sensitivity, and duty towards society. I extend my heartfelt salutations to him. Friends, on the completion of 25 years of the formation of the state, hosting ABVP’s National Conference on the land of Uttarakhand is a matter of great pride for all of us. It gives me immense joy to know that in this conference, along with various states of India, a large number of ABVP karyakartas from our neighbouring country Nepal are also participating. This national conference is not an ordinary event; it is a sacred yagya of nation-building. The thoughts and resolutions emerging from the youth gathered here from across the country will give new direction to the nation in the coming years, without any doubt.
Whenever the country faced a crisis be it the attack on democracy during the Emergency, struggles for education reforms, border tensions, or student movements ABVP karyakartas have always stood at the forefront. Thousands of karyakartas endured hardships to protect democracy but did not let the flame of democracy extinguish. Today, the powerful and enthusiastic chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ echoing in the Northeast are the result of decades of ABVP’s consistent dedication. India’s greatest strength is its youth. If channelled in the right direction, India will not only become an economic superpower but also regain its place as a Vishwaguru. I am confident that the energy, ideas, and resolutions emerging from this convention will script new chapters in nation-building.”
Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Youth Award recipient Shrikrishna Pandey ‘Azad’ said, “ABVP karyakartas work with the spirit of ‘Nation First’, and this is highly commendable and inspiring. I dedicate the Rs 1 lakh awarded by ABVP entirely to the service of Indian mentally ill individuals. I am grateful to ABVP for conferring this honour. Challenges do come in the path of service, but one should not be afraid of them. It took a long struggle of 500 years to build the Ram Temple, but when the temple was built, the whole world turned its eyes toward India. When our Lord can emerge for us after such immense struggle, why can’t we? Therefore, one should never step back from the path of service.”
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