Dhyanananda Panda of Kalahandi conferred with National Youth Award 2011-12

Three youths from Odisha conferred with National Youth Award

Indiaeducationdiary, July 4, 2013

Report by Rashmi r Parida, New Delhi: Three Odias conferred with National Youth Award 2011-12  today at the  historic Darbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan. They are namely Gangadhar Behara, M. Tejeswar, Dhyananda Panda.

Along with these three youth from Odisha President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the National Youth Award 2011-12 on 24 individuals and one organization from West Bengal.  The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Jitendra Singh and several other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. It is for the first time the  National Youth awards have been given by the President of India. The award consists of a silver medal, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs.40,000 for individuals and Rs.2 lakh for voluntary organisations.

It should be noted that M. Tejeswar, who hails from Boipariguda of Koraput district is an active and dynamic volunteer undertook mass plantation in his village. He has also organized many social and educational development programmes for the children and women. He also organized health check-up awareness and immunization camps for the poor. In recognition of his outstanding services to the community, M. Tejeswar. is awarded the National Youth Award for the Year 2011-12.

Gangadhar Behera  who hails from Kaudiapada village of Cuttack district is a social wokerfrom Distt of Cuttak of Odisha. has dedicated himself in the field of awareness programmes, training programmes for self employment, health‘ RTl, sports, Legal aids for girls and women and environmental issues. In recognition of his outstanding services to the community, Gangadhar Behera, is awarded the National Youth Award for the Year 2011-12.

Dhyanananda Panda who hails from  Mahavira Pada village of Kalahandi district is a social worker, is actively participating in many activities. During 2011-12 he has organized blood donation, youth leadership and health camps, awareness camps, seminars, days and weeks celebrations etc. He is also involved with social activities. In recognition of his outstanding services to the community Dhyananda Panda is awarded the National Youth Award for the Year 2011-12.

It may be noted that National Youth Awards, instituted in the year 1985 are conferred on youth each year who have demonstrably excelled in youth work in different fields of youth developmental activities and social service. The award carries a pure silver medal, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 40,000/- in case of individual awardee and Rs. 2.00 lakhs for voluntary organization. The selected young individuals are expected to possess leadership qualities and use them in successfully carrying out voluntary activities in the field of Youth Development. This award is a source of encouragement to the awardees, as well as an example and catalyst to others in future.      

Selection of Awardees is first made at State level and then at National level. At the National level, a Screening Committee headed by the Joint Secretary scrutinizes the proposals recommended by the State Govt./UT administration at first.  These screened proposals are thereafter placed before the Central Selection Committee headed either by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports or Secretary, Youth Affairs that makes the final selection of youth awardees.  

The Central Selection Committee may, at its discretion, consider on merits, individuals or youth organizations not recommended by a State Government/UT, for the Award.