Deepalaya, a 39-year-old non government organization based out of New Delhi and six other states of India, has won the prestigious Sat Paul Mittal Appreciation Award 2018 in the “Institution” Category. Gen. Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army presented the award to Mrs. Jaswant Kaur, Executive Director, Deepalaya (alongside a citation, trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh) at a grand function held today at Sat Paul Mittal Memorial School, Ludhiana.The award is instituted by Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust, Ludhiana in the fond memory of its Founder-President, Lt. Shri Sat Paul Mittal; it has been conferred to Deepalaya for the organization’s “outstanding service to humanity”. Among other noted dignitaries present at the function were Gen. Ved Prakash Malik, Former Army Chief; Shri Rakesh Bharti Mittal, President, Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust; and Shri Vipin Gupta, General Secretary, Nehru Sidhant Kender.Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Jaswant Kaur, Executive Director, Deepalaya said, “I feel honoured and humbled to accept this award which is testimony to our organization’s continuous, rigorous efforts to create positive change in the society. From humble beginnings with five children, two teachers, and an initial investment of Rs.17,500 by seven of its founder members, Deepalaya has indeed come a long way, consolidating presence in six different sectors and seven states of India till date.
With exemplary commitment towards the core values of transparency, accountability and credibility, and a pro-poor, secular and non-political approach, Deepalaya has successfully enabled economic and social upliftment of the underprivileged, and will continue to do so.”For almost four decades now, Deepalaya has been working along the economically and socially deprived classes, so that they become educated, skilled and aware and live a self-reliant, dignified and sustainable quality of life. In the recent past, the organization had been lauded with several awards and accolades such as the Delhi NGO Leadership Award, Guidestar India NGO Transparency Award, Global CSR Leadership Award by ABP news, Best NGO Award from Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Indian Excellence Awards by APAC Insider, etc.On the other hand, the Sat Paul Mittal National Awards and Appreciation Awards are given annually to individuals/institutions that have made outstanding contributions towards humanitarian good. Named after the founder-father of the Trust Mr. Sat Pal Mittal (a visionary parliamentarian, politician and development enthusiast), the Awards recognize individuals and institutions working in the areas of education, healthcare, women empowerment, sanitation and hygiene, among others.