President Confers Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh National Award to Snehalaya

President Confers Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh award to Snehalaya for Its Landmark Work for Women's Empowerment & Children’s Welfare

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, conferred the tenth Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Award for the year 2007 to Snehalaya of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra today for its landmark work in the rehabilitation of women & children of the red light areas and other destitute women & children in difficult circumstances. Snehalaya has successfully intervened to rescue hundreds of girls and women who were caught in the quagmire of prostitution and has rehabilitated them in the mainstream of society. The award carried an amount of Rs. 5 lakhs, a citation and a shawl.

On behalf of Snehalaya, Mr. Milind Kulkarni receiving prestigious Dr.Durgabai Deshmukh National Award by the hand of Hon. Pranab Mukhrjee, President of India

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, called for concerted efforts by Government, private and voluntary sectors for the development of the weaker and vulnerable sections of our society. He pointed out that the Government of India, through its programmes and policies has engineered a major directional change in public policy by its focus on inclusive development. He expressed confidence that the organizations who have won awards will inspire hundreds of other organizations like themselves, located all over India - in rural as well as urban centres. 

The President was speaking on the occasion of the presentation of the Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Awards for Women’s Development for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 today (November 5, 2012) at the Darbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

                                  
Delivering the keynote address at the event, Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister of Women and Child Development, said that Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh was the mother of social service in India and the visionary founder Chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board. She noted that Durgabai Deshmukh was a feminist, a Parliamentarian, an administrator and a great visionary. As a Member of Parliament she carried out programmes for educating, training and rehabilitating needy women and children. "Dr. Durgabai, in her unique way, demonstrated to the world that women, through co-operative endeavor, could achieve the vision of universal opportunity and justice for society," the Minister added. She congratulated the awardees for their work for the needy. The Minister said that the Ministry of Women and Child Development is committed to supporting the Board & Voluntary organization in all its endeavors.

  
Among the other dignitaries present on the occasion was Smt. Prema Cariappa, Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Board. 

Please click on below link for YouTube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dOdXJdi5B8&feature=plcp

 

First National-Level Recognition to ' ANAMPREM!'

"Uth Kranti Award"

First National-Level Recognition to ' ANAMPREM!'

Anamprem is a sister concern organisation of the Snehalaya Family. Pune-based renowned 'Indira Group of Institutions' has selected Anamprem for its prestigious "Uth Kranti National Award." This  award ceremony will be held on 3rd Nov. 2012 at Balgandharva Rangmandir in Pune. Anamprem will receive  this award at the hands of Ramon Magsaysay  Awardee  Miss Nilima Mishra. Anamprem is recognised for the efforts taken for the physically challenged and blind, deaf and dumb students.

The award committee in its letter said that "This award is given to the Youths / Organisations who are driving social change in India. Anamprem is matching penfectly  to this expected action." 

The award  includes an amount of Rs.1.25 lacs and a citation. But more important is the opportunity to present the work in front of a passionate group of youths.

Snehalaya - Anamprem family has unanimously decided and proposed the name of Mr. Ajit B. Kulkarni  to receive this  award on behalf of 'Anamprem.'

This  dedicated NGO has been working in tough circumstances since the last 8 years..

On this occasion, we would like to introduce briefly the work of Anamprem and the team behind these dedicated efforts.


Rising Hope

Snehalaya had initially started working with the issues of prostitutes and their offspring and later on with HIV positives, slum children, etc. After a decade, ‘Team Snehalaya’ realized that the basic work is needed in many more segments of child care. The issues of children of special needs were grave. Neither the Govt. nor any NGO is taking notice and responsibility of these circumstances, Thus, Snehalaya had decided to start a separate NGO. The name was unanimously decided as "Anamprem." It started working in the year 2004, was formally registered and established in the year 2005. Snehalaya family has given the  sole responsibility of Anamprem to its two  dedicated soldiers. They are   Ambadas Chavan  and Anil Gawde. These 2 young volunteers have  established the work from the foundation. Ambadas and Anil identified Mrs. Anita & Mr. Ajit Mane and Mr. Ajit Kulkarni as their successors and groomed them to shoulder the institution.

Ajit Mane is a well-known architect. Mrs. Anita is a housewife. Ajit Kulkarni is a teacher in a private school in Ahmednagar. This new team is shaping Anamprem with passion. 

Since Ajit is going to receive this award, here is a brief note about the journey of Ajit Kulkarni and present activities of Anamprem.


Youth with Dreams

Ajit has grown up in the rural parts. He has a passion for literature. He was also dreaming about social work. After reading many  books about Baba Amte he went to meet Baba. Inspired by Amte's work, Ajit decided to dedicate his life to social work - a decision that has today brought succour to many poor, destitute, deprived and differently-abled children.

These deprived children have managed to stand on their own feet without having to beg for help from others, thanks to "Anam Prem" .

Ajit originally hails from Madha taluka in Solapur district. Right from his childhood, Ajit developed a propensity to contribute to the family income by carrying out odd jobs that came his way. Under such circumstances, Ajit paid a visit to the Somnath project initiated by Amte. Ajit was overwhelmed by the work of the social worker and the visit transformed his own life.

Thereafter, Ajit came into contact with Anant Zende who shared his feelings. Ajit met Snehalaya Family  who was associated with Amte's "Ananadvan." Dr. Girish  Kulkarni advised Ajit to complete his education before launching into social work wholeheartedly. Ajit completed his D.Ed and then joined "Snehalaya", an organization that had been started by Kulkarni in Ahmednagar. Ajit has been attracted more towards the work of Anamprem.

Snehalaya family had also launched "Anam Prem" but the latter organization was facing a state of neglect owing to a paucity of funds and manpower. The task of even providing meals to the children under the organization's care had become difficult. Ambadas & Anil gave direction, inspiration and guidance to Ajit. Ajit found out the places from where he could obtain food at low cost.

At that time, Ajit was working in a school as a teacher. He would dedicate himself to social work after the school ended for the day in the afternoon. Starting with just two children, the number of children under Anam Prem's care rose to 35 within three years. Anam Prem charges a fee of Rs. 200 per month from the inmates and in lieu of this it provides food, education and residence.

Among other things, Anam Prem has Himmat Bhavan - which lodges the poor and differently-abled children, runs the Anand Computer Training Centre, has a library of braille books for the benefit of the blind children, and also manages an orchestra that is comprised of differently-abled artistes.
 

This award will surely boost the morale of the Anamprem team.

On declaration of this award Mr. Ajit Mane & Mr. Ajit Kulkarni said, “It’s encouraging. But we have miles to reach the destination.”

Anamprem needs all types of support. Contact 9011020174 for more details.

Snehalaya Receives "Nishkam Karmyogi Award"

Ahmednagar District Warkari Sampraday has honored Snehalaya with "Nishkam Karmayogi Award" on 1st November 2012