- Grassroots Changemakers from Four Districts Felicitated in Grand Ahmedabad Ceremony
- Awards Mark Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s 70th Year and 45 Years of Service Movement
- From Space Innovation to Rural Empowerment, Stories of Impact Shine Bright
- Transparent Jury Process Selects Inspirational Leaders Across Youth, Sports & Social Sectors
- Event Echoes Values of Compassion, Service and Collective Responsibility
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, MAY 3
In a powerful celebration of grassroots impact, Art of Living Foundation hosted the ‘Unsung Everyday Heroes Awards’ at Tagore Hall in Paldi, Ahmedabad, honouring individuals who have driven meaningful change across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Mehsana and Surendranagar districts.
The event was organised as part of the 70th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the organisation’s 45 years of service.
The event was graced by chief guests Amit Thaker, MLA and Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, who presented the awards to the winners.
Honouring Grassroots Excellence
The awards recognised individuals working selflessly across diverse sectors:
Youth Leadership Award
- Ravindra Raj B.M. (Ahmedabad): A young entrepreneur and space-tech innovator working in India’s private space sector, developing reusable rocket technology through Omspace to make missions more affordable and efficient, while inspiring youth toward science and innovation.
Sports Excellence Awards
- Rachna Patel (Ahmedabad): International para-badminton player with multiple national and global medals; also holds a national plank exercise record—her journey inspires resilience.
- Jankiba Harpalsinh Dodiya (Surendranagar): Rifle shooting achiever who rose to national recognition in a short span, proving that success beyond 40 is possible with determination.
- Radhapriya Goyal (Gandhinagar): International table tennis player who has represented India and won multiple medals, balancing excellence in both sports and academics.
Business & Philanthropy Awards
- Harishbhai Dharamshibhai Patel (Ahmedabad): Industrialist and social worker contributing significantly to healthcare access through RMS Hospital and various service initiatives.
- Kuldeepsinh Jaydevsinh Jadeja (Surendranagar): Driving rural women’s empowerment through Gaokrupa Milk Producer Company, enabling livelihoods and self-reliance.
- Manubhai K. Choksi Patel (Mehsana): Four decades of service in education, healthcare, and social upliftment, especially supporting women and underprivileged students.
- Dr Minol Amin (Gandhinagar): Paediatrician and environmentalist promoting child health and ecological awareness through the ‘Green Army’ initiative.
Spirit of Service at the Core
The awards followed a rigorous nomination and evaluation process, with a panel of experts selecting the most deserving candidates through a transparent scoring system.
The event also featured a symbolic sapling-watering ceremony reflecting environmental responsibility, along with insights into upcoming service initiatives and youth-focused programmes.
Anchored in the philosophy of service, the event echoed the teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
“Spirituality means caring, sharing, and dedicating oneself to service.”
A Nationwide Movement
The Unsung Heroes Awards are part of a nationwide initiative spanning over 490 districts, aimed at recognising extraordinary contributions by ordinary citizens.
Awardees expressed gratitude for the recognition and hoped such initiatives would continue to inspire and celebrate selfless service across society.
