Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan here on Sunday conferred the Prof Yashvantrao Kelkar Youth Award on Bhopal-based Imtiaz Ali, founder of NGO Sarthak Samudayik Vikas Evam Jan Kalyan Sansthan, for his outstanding work in developing a sustainable mechanism for plastic and solid waste management.
Ali was also awarded in recognition of his significant contributions in the socioeconomic upliftment of rag-pickers of Bhopal by engaging and institutionalising them as Sarthak Karmis through SHGs, linking them to social security measures and relieving them of the blemished title of waste scavengers.
At the valedictory event of the 61st national conference of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) here, the Minister awarded him with a trophy, a citation and a Rs 50,000-cash prize.
lauding the initiative of Ali, Pradhan said the works by Ali immensely contribute to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He assured that he would initiate talks with his Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas as well as with the Odisha Government for collaborations to replicate the ‘Bhopal Model’ in Odisha and other States.
Besides, he stressed on certain modalities like pre-plan and post-plan and teamwork for achieving success in any work and recognition to people or organisations involved in social works.
Around 2,000 students and teachers from 500 universities across the country participated in the ABVP national meet. During the four-day meet, discussions were held on topics pertaining to education, employment, youth politics, etc. Besides, Dr Nagesh Thakur of Shimla and Vinay Bidre of Bangalore were elected unanimously as national president and general secretary, respectively, of the ABVP for 2015-16.
Among others, ABVP national girls’ in-charge Mamta Yadav and Odisha organising secretary Govind Nayak were present at the valedictory session.
