JSPL Foundation receives 359 Entries for Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman

JSPL Foundation, the CSR arm of leading steelmaker Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL), has received 359 Entries from all over India for the Second Edition of the National Level Awards.

India CSR News Network

KOLKATA: JSPL Foundation is guided by the vision of Naveen Jindal (Chairman, JSPL) who believes – “Since inception – we have measured our success on the basis of the positive impact that we have created in our communities. Through sustained interventions as part of our community outreach we have impacted the lives of millions across India. The Second edition of the Rashtriya Swayam Siddh Samman iscurrently underway, and I wish them every success.”

JSPL Foundation’s initiatives are curated by Shallu Jindal – who is the guiding force behind all CSR interventions that JSPL undertakes in its operative geographies across Chhattisgarh, Odisha & Jharkhand.

According to her, “The Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman aims to bring out stories that have yet been untold. Stories of Courage, Determination and a Will to bring about a change in the society! The Samman is an effort to salute such people and provide them with a national platform, so that others too can take inspiration from them, thus forming a human chain. We have now embarked on the second edition of the Awards and have got an overwhelming response from across India. All these entries are truly inspiring and I look forward to the National Assessment in New Delhi.”

The Second Edition of the Rashtriya Swayansiddh Samman, elicited entries from grass-root level social innovators and change makers from across India. OP Jindal Global University is the Knowledge Partner of the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman, 2017.

Speaking on the knowledge association Prof. Raj Kumar said – “The University is enthused to be a part of this humanitarian initiative. We take pride in being the Knowledge Partner for the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Awards. This Partnership with JSPL Foundation marks a significant milestone for our globally oriented university to mobilize knowledge to work on local needs of our industry partners who are engaged in sustainable community development using CSR as a vehicle of social change. We have articulated critical parameters for the assessment of the Awardees based on regional and national priorities in alignment to the Sustainable Development Agenda in India.”

The Knowledge Partner of the Awards – O P Jindal Global University, processed all the Entries on the basis of critical evaluation parameters. The 65 shortlisted entries from Eastern India for Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman Award; underwent the Regional Assessment by a five member regional Jury Committee, today in Kolkata.

Prof. Amit Lahiri, the Chief Sustainability Officer of O.P. Jindal Global University, who is in charge of the Knowledge Partnership Platform, said- “The Rashtriya Swayansiddh Samman award criteria development and application evaluation process has been a most rewarding experience for the dedicated research team comprised of faculty and masters degree students from the Public Policy program at O.P. Jindal Global University.

The experiential learning as a result of delving deep into the regional developmental challenges in India and then to contextualize and rank organizations and individuals dedicated to grassroots community development initiatives have been deeply satisfying as well as challenging learning which all university and college students should be exposed to if universities and colleges in India take their commitment to social responsibility seriously. The social impact can be profound when universities partner with industry and civil society to collaboratively seek solutions to some of the pressing social, environmental and economic crises facing us all locally and globally.”

The Regional jury committee members composed of Eminent Painter & Artist Mr. Wasim R Kapoor, Secretary of Tapsil Jati Adibasi Praktan Sainik Krishi Bikash Shilpa Kendra Mr. Soumen Koley, Director of Garden High International School, Kolkata Dr. Anuradha Das, Principal of SHELTER (Hooghly) Ashok Chakraborty and Chairman & Managing Director, OTL Cab Adhrick Roy.

The Regional Jury assessed the regional entries by means of a guided evaluation matrix based on regional & national priorities and is aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).

The 12 selected entries from the East will go into the National Round to be conducted in New Delhi. The National Jury will meet in New Delhi to further evaluate all the Regional Selections and finalize the 10 Individuals & Organizations that will receive the Prestigious Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman. The National level – Award Presentation Ceremony of the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman – 2017 will be held on 20th April in New Delhi. An honorarium of Rs. 100,000/- (One Lakh) each will be awarded to the winners to help and support their ongoing work, build their capacities and capabilities and empower them to build the nation of our dreams.

The Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman has been instituted by JSPL Foundation to honor unsung heroes for their societal achievements.

“We have received excellent response from individuals and organizations in Eastern State of India. Their work is really inspiring and we hope they will be inspiring other ‘change makers’ to bring positive changes in the society, said Prashant Kumar Hota, JSPL’s Group Executive Vice President (CSR & Education) & Secretary General of JSPL Foundation.

This national level award will be given in 10 categories – Rural Development, Health, Education, Women Empowerment, Public Service/ Social Service, Entrepreneurship, Art and Craft, Innovation & Technology, Livelihood/Vocational, and Environment Skills- after a robust process of jury meetings at regional and national levels.

The ‘Swayamsiddh Samman’ has so far been conferred upon more than 160 grass root action leaders, both at Regional and National level. The First Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman, in 2015 had received 358 entries from across the country. Out of these, 203 entries were shortlisted based on laid down parameters. 25 individuals and organizations across the country from different walks of life were felicitated with the Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman. Today, these awardees have become ‘Ambassadors of Change’ and are guiding others to achieve their dreams, thus forming a human chain.