The Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation has called for nominations from Uttarakhand for its prestigious 21st Mahaveer Awards.

According to the foundation, individuals who are Indian nationals and institutions based in India, providing selfless service to the voiceless and the poor would be eligible for the All-India award. The awardees will be selected by a panel of eminent personalities representing different domains and headed by former Chief Justice of India, MN Venkatachaliah.

Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, since 1995, has been bestowing the Mahaveer Awards on outstanding personalities and organisations in recognition of their excellence in propagation of ‘Non-violence and Vegetarianism’, ‘Education’, ‘Medicine’ and ‘Community and Social service’. The award in each category carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a commendatory citation and a memento, which will be presented to the Recipient at a grand function. The nomination form can be download at www.bmfawards.org. The last date for receipt of the nominations is August 31.

Filled in forms are to be sent on or before August 31, 2017, to Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation in Chennai.

So far, the Foundation has identified and honoured 63 individuals and institutions covering 17 States and one Union Territory of India including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh in the North-east to Tamil Nadu in the south. Among 63 awardees, 21 are from the North Indian states.

The selection jury for the award includes former chief election commissioner of India, TS Krishnamurthy, former SC Judge GS Singhvi, chairman emeritus of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation professor MS Swaminathan, chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Mangalore, BM Hegde, journalist and writer S Gurumurthy, former chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India, DR Mehta, former cabinet secretary of the Government of India, Prabat Kumar and Chandanaji Maharaj, an eminent renunciate and  social reformer.