Sandip Shinde Honoured with “The One Humanitarian Award” in Hong Kong

Global Recognition for Services to Mentally Disturbed and Homeless Persons

By Ranjit Chandel 

Yavatmal – Sandip Shinde, President of Nanddeep Foundation’s shelter home for mentally disturbed and homeless persons, has been honoured with the prestigious “The One Humanitarian Award” by Rotary District 3450, Hong Kong.
The award carries a cash prize of USD 50,000 (approx. ₹45 lakh) along with a trophy. The felicitation ceremony took place at Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.

Rotary District 3450 instituted The One Humanitarian Award in 2012 to recognise exceptional humanitarian service across the globe.

Before Shinde, only six prominent Indian social activists had received this honour, including Sindhutai Sapkal, Dr. Prakash Amte, Rajendra Dhamne, Dr. Kolhe couple and one more recipient.

Sandip Shinde becomes the 7th Indian and notably the youngest awardee in the award’s history. His recognition comes within just five years of dedicated service, earning Nanddeep Foundation international acclaim for its work with mentally disturbed individuals.

Applications for the award were received from 179 countries. The proposals underwent a rigorous three-stage screening by independent jury panels. Following interviews and on-ground assessment by representatives from Hong Kong Rotary, Shinde was ranked among the top three global winners, alongside honourees from Pakistan and Cambodia.

At the ceremony, a documentary on Nanddeep Foundation was screened, and the organisation’s services were widely appreciated. Shinde’s humanitarian work has also been documented in a special publication titled “One”.

The award event was held in the august presence of Dr. David Harilela, Founder & Chairman, The One Humanitarian Award, Raffy M. Garcia, Chairman, The One Philippines, Cassie Cheng, Governor, Rotary District 3450 and Several international humanitarian leaders and philanthropists

Many Hong Kong philanthropists personally congratulated Shinde and assured support for future initiatives.

This achievement, Shinde noted, was made possible with guidance from Rotarians Dr. Govind Patil, Prashant Gadewar (Mumbai), Vinay Gawande (Yavatmal) and several co-activists. Shinde attended the ceremony with his wife Nandini, daughter Harshali, and advisory committee members Narendra Pawar, Dr. Prashant Gawande, Nitin Pakhale, Anand Kasambe, Dr. Kavita Borkar, among others.

Patrons of Nanddeep — Hariom Bhoot, Suresh Rathi, Prashant Banginwar, Kisan Borele, Anant Kaulgikar, Dr. Shreekant Meshram, Deepak Bagdi, Prof. Ghanshyam Darne, Dr. Pravin Rakhunde — also extended heartfelt congratulations.

Shinde dedicated the honour to the shelter’s residents, lovingly referred to as “Prabhujis”, as well as the doctors, staff and supporters of the mission. He announced that the USD 50,000 prize money will be used to develop a residential rehabilitation complex at Bothbodan for mentally challenged persons.

Expressing gratitude to his wife, daughter and team, Shinde said, “This international recognition has strengthened my resolve. I will continue this mission with even greater commitment.”