Mumbai: The Yashraj Bharati Samman 2025 paid tribute to extraordinary individuals and institutions who have tirelessly served at the grassroots, embodying compassion, resilience, and transformative action. Laureates were selected through a rigorous process combining quantitative assessments and qualitative reviews, culminating in final selections by an esteemed Grand Jury.
The Gratitude Ceremony, held on the evening of April 20, 2025, at the prestigious Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai, was a heartfelt celebration of purpose-driven service.
Chief Guest for the evening was Hon’ble Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra. He was joined by Shri Dilip Walse Patil, Former Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, and Shri Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, as Guests of Honour. Together, they felicitated exemplary changemakers whose work continues to drive meaningful progress across India.
The event opened with a soulful Ganesh Vandana by acclaimed Kathak artist Sharvari Jamenis and her troupe, setting a serene and reverent tone. The evening was gracefully anchored by Ms. Shweta Shelgaonkar, and further enriched by a captivating Kathak performance, Taal Chautaal, celebrating the rhythm and richness of Indian classical dance.
Yashraj Bharati Samman 2025 Laureates:
• Innovation in Healthcare:
Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS) was honoured for revolutionizing rural healthcare in underserved regions. Founded by AIIMS graduates in 2001, JSS transformed a remote colony in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, into a beacon of community-driven health. By training village women as frontline health workers and developing innovative tools like solar-powered infant warmers and sickle cell kits, JSS has halved infant mortality and championed dignity-based, accessible healthcare.
• Transforming People’s Lives through Education:
Pratham, established in 1995 in the educationally underserved pockets of Mumbai, was recognized for reshaping foundational learning across India. Its “Teaching at the Right Level” methodology and community-based programs like Hamara Gaon have empowered millions, placing children and local educators at the heart of joyful, effective learning.
• Ethical Governance through Technology:
ServicePlus, developed by the National Informatics Centre, received the award for redefining governance through inclusive digital platforms. Initiated under the e-Panchayat mission in 2012, ServicePlus has scaled to over 3,600 citizen services by 2025—bridging digital divides from remote kiosks in Odisha to online portals in Haryana. It stands as a model of how ethical intent and inclusive technology can humanize public service delivery.
The evening concluded with renewed inspiration and a collective reaffirmation of compassion, community empowerment, and ethical innovation.
