Bharatatma Ashok Singhal Vedic Awards to be held on September 5

New Delhi : In the fond memory of late Ashokji Singhal, the former International President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Singhal Foundation will be organising the third edition of 'Bharatatma Ashok Singhal Vedic Puruskar' on September 5, 2019. The event will be held at Chinmaya Mission, 89- Lodhi Estate, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.

The objective behind convening such an award ceremony is to promote Vedic education across India and appreciate the efforts of all those working in this field. Param Pujya Swami Tejomayanand ji, former Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide,  will be the guest of honour at the august gathering.

At the award ceremony, the best student will receive a cash reward of Rs 3 lakh, while the winner of best teacher award will be given Rs 5 lakh and the winner of best school award will get a prize money of Rs 7 lakh.

The Singhal Foundation Trustee Salil Singhal said, "Apart from being the leading light of Hindutva and a thought leader, Respected Ashokji Singhal was also a great proponent of Vedas. He always loved to read and impart the knowledge of Vedas as a result of which he initiated opening of several schools/institutes for the learning of the Vedic scriptures.”

Sanjaya Singhal, another trustee of the foundation, said, “It is due to Late Shri Ashokji Singhal’s deep interest in the Vedic scriptures that has encouraged our Foundation, and to start this award ceremony. This is the third year of Bharatatma Ashok Singhal Vedic Awards. We are thankful to Param Pujya Swami Tejomayanand ji  former Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide  for agreeing to be the guest of honour this year.”

Just like previous years, the Foundation invited applications from the Vedic schools and institutions throughout the country. A special committee is set up which shortlists the candidates/names from the entries received till July 10, every year. The committee then visits all the shortlisted institutions to further authenticate the entries. The committee then recommends three-three names for each of the 3 categories. Subsequently, a reputed special jury, comprising of five Vedic experts, selects the winner under each category.

The organisers believe that these annual awards will help to promote and propagate Vedic education, and it is a befitting tribute to Ashokji Singhal and his vision.

Last year, 81-year-old Vinayak Badal was conferred with the 'Lifetime achievement award' for reviving the education of 'Shatpath Brahmin' - which was on the verge of extinction.

Pankaj Sharma, who bagged the best student of the year award in 2018, said, "I wanted to promote the teachings of Vedas across the world and get the Vedic scripture it's due. After getting recognised by Singhal Foundation last year, my life found the right path. With the help of financial assistance, I am able to pursue my dream. India was considered the land of spirituality because the Vedas were held in high esteem and these awards have ensured that those who seek to promote the knowledge and wisdom of the Vedas also get recognised. This prize further encouraged me to work with more vigour towards my goal.”

Maharashtra's Sadguru Nijanand Maharaj Ved Vidhyalay won the award for best Vedic school. The jury chose Shridhar Adi as the best teacher and rewarded him with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh in 2018 .

About Bharatatma Awards and Singhal Foundation:

'Singhal Foundation'  is a registered Trust established by the three sons of Late Shri PP Singhal to continue the charitable works initiated by him during his lifetime. Singhal Foundation has been promoting good and deserving causes by funding needy students, schools, sports & sports persons, schools for the physically challenged and a variety of other social and developmental causes.

Singhal Foundation decided to institute the annual ‘Bharatatma Ashokji Singhal Vedic Awards’ in 2017 as the first national level awards in ' Vedic Education' in memory of Shri Ashokji Singhal, who had vast knowledge of the Vedas and his untiring work towards propagation of the Vedas & Vedic education.  Late Shri Ashokji firmly believed that only through the protection and propagation of the Vedas could Indian culture survive and flourish. Through his work Ashokji organised three Vishva Ved Sammelans the first one being in 1992.

The Foundation annually gives three awards as under :

•        The Ideal Vedic Teacher

•        Excellent Veda Student

•        The Best Vedic School

Singhal Foundation hopes that these awards will encourage more and more schools, teachers and students to take up the study of the Vedas and propagate them for the good of society.

For more details, please visit:  www.http://bharatatmapuraskar.org