DHFL Pramerica felicitates top student volunteers at 9th Annual Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards

NEW DELHI, APRIL 2: The 9thAnnual Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards (SOCA) hosted by DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance Co. Ltd. felicitated 31 School students for their extraordinary efforts in the area of community service. These finalists were shortlisted from over 3,500 applications received in a nationwide search for the country’s top student volunteers. Programme Ambassador, Saina Nehwal, Olympic Medalist, and former world no.1 badminton player.

The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards is a school-level recognition programme for volunteer community service. It is an extension of the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, the largest youth recognition programme in the United States. India is the 8th country outside of the United States to conduct this Awards programme. Other countries are Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, China, Brazil, and Poland. Over the last 9 years, more than 40,000 students have applied for these awards.

Addressing the finalists at the awards ceremony, Anoop Pabby, MD & CEO, DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance Co. Ltd. said, “Globally, leadership development through volunteer community service projects is the central idea behind the Spirit of Community Awards (SOCA). It is a recognition for the young volunteers who have made a difference in society through their path-breaking community work.  This year in India, we witnessed the brightest young minds from the best of schools in India present their projects in the fields of agriculture, healthcare, education, artificial intelligence, technology, water conservation, women hygiene, clean energy, LGBT issues, and social entrepreneurship. These passionate students went beyond their means, to make the world around them a better place and create change that matters.”

These winners were presented with Gold medallions, Certificates of Excellence, a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 each and a return trip to Washington, D.C. where they will represent India in the felicitation ceremonies for Spirit of Community Award winners from all participating countries.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Programme Ambassador, Saina Nehwal, Olympic Medalist, and Former World No.1 Badminton Player said, “I am extremely proud to be a part of the ‘Spirit of Community Awards’ for the third consecutive year. I truly believe that children are our country’s future and they should be allowed to unleash their true potential and freedom to execute their ideas so that they are able to contribute towards building a stronger and developed India. I would like to congratulate all the participants and wish them a brighter and promising life ahead.”

In the group category, Shivam Singh and Group of class VIII of UMS Khairbani School in Jharkhand were felicitated for spreading literacy among the mothers of their village. 14 other well deserving finalists in the Individual Category and two more in the Group Category received Certificates of Achievement and Silver medallions.

The national winners will travel to Washington, D.C. in end April to be a part of the gala award ceremony held at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They would also be taken on a tour of the capital's historic monuments and landmarks and enjoy a festive dinner cruise on the Potomac River. Moreover, there will be plenty of opportunities for these students to share their experiences and ideas with volunteers from other participating countries.