AWARD for Uplift and Welfare of Women and Children (Instituted in memory of Smt. Jankidevi  Bajaj)

A cash Award of Rs. two lakhs, a trophy and citation to be given annually to a women / women for outstanding contribution to uplift and welfare of women  and children and / or Gandhian constructive work.

Uplift and welfare of women and children cover any one or more of the following activities:

  • Education, vocational training , employment and rehabilitation of women and children; eradication of illiteracy among women; organising women for these purposes, especially from rural areas;
  • Free or low cost medical care facilities for women and children, pre - natal and post - natal care; education for better health and hygiene; better nutrition for children;
  • Reform of wayward and street children, work in slums;
  • Free or low cost legal aid to women in distress; creating  general awareness among women about their rights and the laws pertaining thereto; reforms for enhancing the social status of women;
  • Care, education and rehabilitation of the mentally retarded and the physically handicapped (including spastics, slow learners etc.)
  • Family planning and welfare;
  • Scientific research and its application in the fields stated above.
(The list given above is only illustrative and not exhaustive). Gandhian constructive work covers the same fields as mentioned in Award for Constructive Work.

Criteria for Evaluation

In assessing the merits of women recommended for this Awards, the overall impact and the spread effect of their work and the specific benefits accruing therefrom to women and children will be taken into account. In particular the following will be considered: In what way and to what extent the work done has helped: The downtrodden, fallen, neglected, deserted, exploited, ailing women and widows, especially from rural areas; The uncared for, discarded, destitute and exploited children, including orphans and juvenile delinquents, especially from rural areas. Preference will be given to those individuals who have been doing their work through an institutional setup, have fostered the spirit of team work, and have developed a second line of leadership to ensure stability and continuity of the activities / projects undertaken by them.

Questionnaire for sending recommendations for the Jamnalal Bajaj Awards
  • Please state clearly for which of the Awards the name is being recommended.
  • Name of the Individual (s) with full address, date of birth and educational qualifications (2 copies of their latest passport size photograph should be enclosed.
  • Nature of activities carried out and a brief account of the work done over the years by the individual (s) with special reference to the following :
    • Period over which the individual (s) has / have worked;
    • Scope and coverage of the activities undertaken;
    • Extent of voluntary effort ; formal and informal community participation and methods of community action adopted;
    • Extent to which new initiatives have been undertaken;
    • Impact made by the work on the surrounding areas- give specific an quantitative information.
    • Extent to which the work done can be regarded as a model which can be replicated by others; and
    • Prospects of continuity and potential for future development.

  • Financial position of the institution(s) with which the individual may be most closely associated and details of grants/financial assistance received during the last 3 years.
    • Year   Income   Expenditure   If Deficit how met   Own   Grants/ Donations
    • Source of grant/assistance Amount Year Purpose

  • Whether the individual has received any Awards / Prizes / Recognition earlier; if so, details may be furnished.
  • Any other information which may be relevant.
Process of Selection

In addition to Press advertisements, we send letters every year to about 2500 to 3000 well - known institutions and individuals working the fields of Sarvodaya Movement , Gandhian Programme of Constructive Work, Appropriate Technology, Applied Agricultural Research, Women's Welfare and Child Welfare, etc. inviting them to recommend individuals for the Awards. Such letters are also sent to Secretaries of the State/ Union Government Departments of Social Welfare, Rural Development, Adivasi Welfare etc; Vice - Chancellors of all Universities (including Agricultural Universities), eminent journalists, Members of Parliament and so on. Besides, an appeal is published the leading dailies in India, inviting recommendations. Direct applications (self nominations) are not entertained. An advertisement inviting nominations for the various awards is also issued.

The Chairman of the respective Selection Committee assisted by the Hon. Director and Honorary Secretary of the Foundation screen all the nominations which are prima eligible for consideration and a shortlist of the nominees is drawn up for consideration of the Selection Committee. The Committee recommends a panel of three names for consideration by the Council of Advisers. The Council recommends one name from each panel to the Board of Trustees of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation which gives final approval. The names of the Awardees are announced shortly thereafter.