“Gratitude award” offers Rs 1 crore for India’s changemakers

Village Square: What is the Yashraj Research Foundation?

YRF: The Yashraj Research Foundation (YRF) empowers Indians, especially those living in rural and backward communities, helping give them tools and skills to create a better future.

Village Square: What is Gratitude Award and is the award amount Rs 1 crore ?

YRF: YRF wants to honour individuals and organisations dedicated to the service of the people of India. So it created the Yashraj Bharti Samman (YBS) to say “thank you” to those who are creating a happier and healthier world.

The YBS Award is for individuals and organisations who have done exemplary work in various fields. It is not just an award but a way to show respect and deep gratitude to those improving people’s lives.

The award aims to motivate and stand behind all the beacons of hope in India by giving Rs One crore to individuals or organisations who have performed outstanding work in three prescribed categories.

Village Square: What are the award categories?

YRF:

1. YBS for Innovation in Healthcare: The exemplary work done by an individual or organisation in the field of healthcare will be recognised. The achievements under this category include the invention of a new technology that benefits the healthcare sector, expansion of pre-existing setup for better accessibility and/or innovative measures that make healthcare affordable for all.
2. YBS for Transforming People’s Lives: This category has been instituted to facilitate the efforts of social leadership working towards the holistic development of Indians, particularly individuals or organisations working in the field of promoting livelihood, education, nutrition and sustainable environment.

3. YBS for Ethical Governance: YBS will celebrate the work of individuals or organisations that promote ethical practices in governance structures, including efforts of both civil society or public servants.

Village Square: What is the nomination process?

YRF: 

May – July: The list of nominators is reviewed and finalised for the annual cycle after considerable research and subsequent approval from the Advisory Board and Board of Trustees.

9 July: The nomination process begins. Invitations to nominate are sent to the Chairman of the Foundation for dispatch.

July: All nominators’ invites, including digital invitations, are sent out in batches.

July – September: The awards committee establishes contact with nominators for assistance during the nomination process.

30 September: Last date for sending nominations.

September onwards: The selection process begins.

Village Square: When will the winners of YBS be announced?

YRF: The respective winners under each category will be announced to the public and felicitated at the Yashraj Bharti Awards Ceremony Event on 16 March, 2023.

You can find more information about the categories and nominations on the YBS website.

The lead image at the top of this page shows women in rural India co-learning (Photo by Village Square)