The Annual Scheme of Awards constitutes a major part of the activities of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), Udaipur. From a modest beginning of awards only for scholars in Udaipur, the orbit of this Annual Scheme of Awards has steadily grown to become a recognised event in the national and international arena. Today, the Awards honour recognition of service of permanent value already rendered to society in which, eminent scholars, students and common citizens who, through their chosen field of activity, have contributed to society. They include awards for historical research, art and painting, music and dance, education and journalism, and a variety of other contributions to social welfare. In addition, the Foundation set up a number of subsidiary trusts for religious and charitable purposes to give assistance without distinction of caste or creed or religion. The present custodian Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur has since, added considerably to his inherited legacy, extending the scope and size of the various charities operated by the trust.

On the evening of Saturday the 2nd March 2013 School Orchestra of Maharana Mewar Public School, Udaipur followed by Instrumental Performance by Pandita Anuradha Pal in Tabla Jugalbandi with herself at The Shiv Niwas Palace Lawns, Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur

Colonel James Tod Award
The Colonel James Tod Award is an International Award that has been instituted to honour a foreign national who, like Tod, has contributed through his works of permanent value an understanding of the spirit and values of Mewar. Colonel Tod spent a great deal of time and personal resources in the collection of historical documents, inscriptions, bardic accounts and genealogies of the Rajput houses and paintings from Rajasthan. When he returned to England Colonel Tod continued his research, culminating in the publication of Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (2 vols, 1829, 1832).

This year's awardee, Prof. Minja Yang was presented with a ceremonial shawl, a silver “Toran” plaque of honour, a citation certificate and a cash award of Rs. 111001.

Prof. Minja Yang is President of the Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation of the Catholic University of Leuven (RLICC/KU Leuven) of Belgium since 2010 following a 30-year career at the United Nations, notably at UNESCO.
Ms. Yang has been awarded as Chevalier and Officier of Arts and Letters by the French Government, and also awarded by the Government of Vietnam and Government of Laos for her work on cultural exchange.

Haldi Ghati Award
In the valley of Haldi Ghati in 1576 A.D. Kunwar Man Singh of Amber led the Mughal armies against Rana Pratap who on his incomparable white stallion Chetak carried the crimson banner of Mewar into the thrust of the battle. For the first time in fifty years the Mughals suffered a setback and Haldi Ghati shattered the myth of their invincibility.
Rana Pratap is a national hero on account of his commitment to preserve the independence of Mewar, at any cost, despite heavy odds stacked against him. Even now his life inspires those who revere the values of living with self-respect and self-reliance.

The Haldi Ghati Award is a National Award. It is awarded to an individual for work of permanent value in awakening society through the medium of journalism, in particular, or through any other media in general. It is in this spirit that the National Award was instituted in 1982. Mr. Arnab Goswami, was presented with a ceremonial shawl, a silver “Toran” plaque of honour, a citation certificate and a Cash award of Rs. 51001.

Mr. Arnab Goswami, Editor in Chief of Times Now, has brought in new standards of credibility and independence in television news. For over 7 years at the helm of TIMES NOW, he has led the coverage of the biggest news events with dignity and speed. His channel’s exposures on corruption and social wrongs have forced the highest authorities to act, and led to a new media revolution in which standards of political accountability have been brought under public scrutiny.
The programme he hosts, THE NEWSHOUR, is India’s highest watched television news programme for almost a decade. As a must watch across the country, it has changed the nature of news debate, and become the benchmark of honest and independent journalism in the country.

A graduate of Hindu College, Delhi University and a post graduate in Social Anthropology from the University of Oxford, Arnab Goswami has been a visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge in the International Studies Department. With his passionate journalism, he has created a new wave in Indian news media, in a medium that has high impact and reach.

Hakim Khan Sur Award
Hakim Khan Sur was a Pathan who came to Mewar from the Deccan. He became a general in Rana Pratap's army and fought to uphold the freedom and beliefs of his adopted home in the epic battle of Haldi Ghat (1576 A.D.) against the invading Mughal army of Emperor Akbar. Despite being a follower of Islam he was the first to lay down his life in battle fighting the Mughal army thereby fulfilling his commitment to uphold the freedom and honour of his chosen homeland, Mewar.
His sacrifice is symbolic of the supremacy of ideology over religious and communal consideration – a unique example of his belief in the principles and commitment of unquestionable loyalty and devotion to Manav Dharma.
The Hakim Khan Sur Award is National Award. This award has been instituted to honour work of permanent value for the cause of national integration. It is in this spirit the National Award was instituted in 1986.

Dr. Farooq Abdullah was presented a ceremonial shawl, a silver “Toran” plaque of honour, a citation certificate and a cash award of Rs. 51,001.  

Hakim Khan Sur Award 2013 is conferred to Dr. Farooq Abdullah in recognition of his distinguished service of permanent value to society on issues of national concern and in the field of national integration.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah is the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy in the Government of India. He is best known for his energetic leadership of the pathbreaking and transformational initiative in renewable energy - The Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission. He is also known for a number of other initiatives in the renewable energy space in India, notably the introduction of Generation Based Incentives and the move towards the introduction of Renewable Energy Certificates. He is equally passionate about the use of off-grid, decentralized Renewable Energy Solutions in order to promote energy access and rural development.

Born in 1937 in Soura on the outskirts of Srinagar, Dr. Farooq Abdullah completed his MBBS from the SMS Medical College, Jaipur. He has had a long and distinguished political career, having served as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir thrice and a Member of Parliament twice. He has been a member of the Committee on Defence, Member of Parliamentary Forum on Population and Public Health, and a Member of Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Dr. Abdullah has received the  Dr. B.C. Roy Award  as a medical man-cum-statesman, D. Litt. (Honoris Causa) from Aligarh Muslim University, Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) from Pondicherry University and Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit of Spain.
Dr. Abdullah is an ardent golfer. His interests include photography, classical music, and ghazals. He is also an avid traveller.

Maharana Udai Singh Award
The tumultuous life of Maharana Udai Singh (1537-1572 A.D.) stands in marked contrast to the tranquility and beauty of the City that today bears his name. After narrowly escaping an assassination attempt, Udai Singh lived for years in exile in Kumbhalgarh. In 1553 he founded the City of Udaipur and began to build a new palace on the shores of Lake Pichola. Thus, Udaipur became the new capital of Mewar.

At the beginning of the 21st century, we are standing at the cutting edge of urbanisation, growth and development. In the 20th century, much of this development has been a product of unplanned haphazard growth which has lead to environmental degradation. The issues of development and maintenance of environmental balance are inextricable linked. Environmental growth has been a central tradition to the House of Mewar.

The Maharana Udai Singh Award is a National Award. This award has been instituted to honour work of permanent value in protecting and enriching the environment, hand-in-hand with future development. It is in this spirit that the National Award was instituted in 1996.

Dr. Tessy Thomas, FNAE and Dr. Vidya R. Athreya were presented with a ceremonial shawl, a silver “Toran” plaque of honour, a citation certificate and a cash award of Rs 51001.

Maharana Udai Singh Award 2013 is conferred to Dr. Tessy Thomas, FNAE to honour her contribution of permanent value in the field of science and technology for a sustainable environment and hand-to-hand with future development.

Dr. Thomas comes from Alappuzha, Kerala. She was the daughter of a small-businessman and a homemaker mother. She has become an expert on all solid propellants systems with related issues of development and maintenance of environmental balance. She completed B.Tech in Electrical Engineering; ME in Guided Missiles; MBA in Operations Management and accomplished a Phd in Missile Guidance. Recognizing the pioneering contributions made by her, in the field of space technology applications to environmental issues, she was given Honourary Doctorate in Space Science from Kalyani University, West Bengal and from Mangalayatan University, Aligarh. She is the first woman scientist to head a missile project in India. In January 2012, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the Indian Science Congress that Mrs. Thomas is an example of a ”woman making her mark in a traditionally male bastion and decisively breaking the glass ceiling”. The media has named her ’Agniputri’ or one born of fire and ’Missile Woman’, after the missiles she has helped develop. She has been associated with Agni Programme from the start of its developmental flights. She has designed the guidance scheme for long range missile systems which is used in all Agni missiles. An energy management guidance scheme was designed and developed for the first time in the country for an all - solid propelled long range systems for which she was conferred with AGNI Self Reliance Award in 2001.

In her work spanning 24 years, she has contributed in various fields such as Guidance, Control, Inertial Navigation, Trajectory Simulation and Mission Design. She is Associate Project Director (Mission) for Agni-I, II & III systems. Currently she is leading a major project AGNI-IV as Project Director, for a state-of-art system with new technologies being used for the first time and successfully flight tested on 15th November 2011 and 19th September 2012. She is Project Director (Mission) for the long range AGNI-V system at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and successfully flight tested on 19th April 2012. She is also the Technology Director for Mission Design and System Analysis Group of Advanced Systems Laboratory. She has been elected as Life Member to several institutions. Her awards and honours include: India Today Woman of the Year (2009); Lal Bahudur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration Academics and Management (2012); CNN-IBN Indian of the year 2012, Special Achievement Award.

Married to Commodore (retd.) Saroj Kumar from the Indian Navy with one son. She stands as an icon of reflection in the changing scenario of women in India and is a shining example to all working women in the country as women increasingly play a key role in national advanced technologies.

Dr. Vidya R. Athreya a wild-life biologist. She is Research Fellow, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bengaluru. Her work has largely focused on large carnivores living in populated areas, especially leopards. The purpose of her work has been to carry out research that aims to better support the management of leopards and reduce conflict especially attacks on humans. As part of her work she is in contact with the local media, managers and the public so that the results of research are widely disseminated. She assisted in the publication of a national level and state level in 2 affected states of Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh on management guidelines as to how to deal with leopard conflict - available at http://www.projectwaghoba.in/conflicts.htm)

She collaborated in the publication of Human Leopard Conflict Management Guidelines  by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. These guidelines provide a framework not only to address the conflict after its occurrence, but also to minimize such conflicts through adoption of necessary pro-active measures.
http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/guidelines-human-leopard-conflict-management.pdf

She graduated from Bombay University; MS (Ecology) from Pondicherry University 1993; Junior Fellow, Wildlife Institute of India (India) between 1994 and 1996 and worked with the Asiatic Lion and Clouded leopard surveys; PhD from Manipal University, Karnataka with Conflict resolution and leopard conservation in a human dominated landscape.

She has several scientific and environmental based publications. Her research project reports include the survey of potential sites for the re-introduction of the Asiatic Lion.

She is professionally affiliated with Staff Wildlife Conservation Society - India and Member of the Cat Specialist Group, I.U.C.N.
She is conferred with Carl Zeiss Award 2011 and Khoshoo Memorial Award 2012.

Our work in agricultural fields of Maharashtra has shown that leopards share the same croplands as people. The resident population of leopards had never killed any human there. This highlights how little we know about conflict and why they kill people.....Vidya.

Panna Dhai Award
Panna Dhai was a dhai or foster mother to the young prince of Mewar Kunwar Udai Singh, the rightful successor to the Gaddi, of Mewar. Banbir, who was an outsider, wanted to usurp this position and remove all impediments including young Kunwar. One night, Banbir entered the quarters of Kunwar Udai Singh, determined to eliminate him. Panna Dhai had suspecting malicious intentions placed her own child in the bed of the young prince. Her fierce loyalty extended far beyond any call of duty. The House of Mewar will always be indebted to her.

The Panna Dhai Award is a National Award. It has been instituted to honour a person who ventures beyond the call of duty in the face of immense hostility and sets an example in society of permanent value through sacrifice. It is in this spirit that the National Award was instituted in 1997.

Captain (IN) Uday Kumar Sondhi, Shaurya Chakra was presented with a ceremonial shawl, a silver “Toran” plaque of honour, a Citation Certificate and a cash award of Rs. 51,001.

Captain (IN) Uday Kumar Sondhi, Shaurya Chakra was born on 21 March 1963. He completed his schooling at Saint Aloysious Higher Secondary School, Jabalpur and Science College, Jabalpur.

He was commissioned in to the Indian Navy on the 1st July 1985. He was awarded his ‘Wings’ on 16th December 1987 and became a Naval fighter pilot. During a pilot exchange programme with the IAF, Captain Sondhi was posted to the No. 2 Squadron flying ’Ajeet’ fighter aircraft. During one of the operational sorties on the 15th April 1989, his aircraft developed a failure. Rather than ejecting from the aircraft he steered it away from the town before eventually crash landing close to a village adjoining the air station saving many innocent lives. As a consequence of the crash, he suffered 40% deep third degree burns and his left leg was amputated below the knee. For his selfless service on 28th April 1990 (wef 15th April 1989) he was awarded the President’s Gallantry Award ’Shaurya Chakra’. He was treated at the burns centre at Command Hospital Calcutta, and against all odds survived. He was later moved to The Artificial Limb Centre, Pune where he was fitted with a prosthesis. Finally, on the 8th December 1989, Sondhi was once again on his feet. Unfazed and undeterred by the crash and the loss of his leg Sondhi again volunteered to fly. Seeing his steely will power and positive attitude towards life, the Indian Air Force realized that he had it in him to create history for Indian Aviation and gave him the opportunity to come back into flying with his artificial leg. After a series of vigorous medicals at Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Bangalore and passing through strict hurdles of flying with Test Pilots at ASTE, Bangalore, in June 1990, Sondhi was finally cleared to fly the Alouette MK III helicopter.  He, thus, became the first in India to fly an aircraft as a pilot with an artificial leg and has created history for Indian Aviation.

Today he is a qualified helicopter pilot flying day and night with the highest Master Green rating with flying experience totaling 1952 hrs 25 min. He has flown the Helicopter from Ashore (day & night) and Afloat with ease, confidence and like any other pilot having normal legs. He has displayed exemplary courage and professionalism in saving lives over the last 23 years of his career with an artificial leg. Presently, he is posted to the Air Force Intelligence Directorate in New Delhi. Having set an unparallel bench mark in professionalism by overcoming his handicap and proving to the world that nothing is impossible if the body and mind is one, he was awarded the President’s National Award in 2000 and his name was endorsed in the Limca Book of World Records in 2006.

Before Captain Sondhi never in the history of India has a pilot flown with a prosthesis from ashore and afloat (ie ship deck in open seas) his zeal, grit, determination, highest professionalism with military bearing and lively and charming nature has been an example to many. He has been a source of inspiration and motivated the lives of many. He married in March 1991 and has two children, a daughter 21 yrs and son 17 yrs.

Maharishi Harit Rashi Award
Maharishi Harit Rashi Award is a State Award. This award has been instituted to honour scholars for work of permanent value in awakening society through the medium of vedic culture, the ancient 'Shastras' and 'Karma Kand'.

Prof. Ramanuja Devanathan and Pandit Satya Narayan Shastri were presented a ceremonial shawl, a silver “Toran” plaque of honour, a citation certificate and a cash award of Rs 25,001 each*.

Prof. Ramanuja Devanathan born at Aheendrapuram (Cuddalore District) Tamilnadu on 2nd April 1959.
Presently Professor Devanathan is Vice Chancellor, Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan, Sanskrit University, Jaipur. He gained his diploma in Arts (Education); Vidya Varidhi (Ph.D in Vyakaranam) and other courses.  He achieved M.A (Philosophy and Relations); M.Ed; Shiksha Shastri (B.Ed); Vyakarana Visharada; Vyakarana Siromani (M.A.); Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya Shakha.

He has teaching experience of 30 years with language fluency in Sanskrit, Tamil, Hindi, English, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Oriya. He has tutored 14 scholars for Ph.D and 14 Dissertations. He has attended more than 100 seminars/workshops/symposia as a Resource Person. He is Member of many Academic Bodies from various Universities. He has made a special contribution in the field of Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chandas, Educational Psychology and Cognitive Psychology. Publications of  Books in Sanskrit include Sri Ramodantam with commentary 1985.  He has edited 18 books by various authors published by Rashtriya Sanskrit Samsthan, New Delhi on the eve of its Silver Jubilee 1995; Monier Williams Sanskrit —English dictionary; Shabdikacintamanih by Sri Gopalakrishna Sastry critically edited with notes; Hindi-Sanskrit dictionary and the Development of Modern Indian Education and New Education Policy 1989; Methods of Teaching Sanskrit Grammar 1992; Commitment —a monograph 2002; Western Educational Philosophers 2002; Descriptive Dictionary of Learning 2002; Educational Technology 2002; Descriptive Dictionary on Cognitive Psychology 2011; A monograph on Phobia with translation of all phobias into Sanskrit 2011; Theories of Personality 2011 and Theories of Learning with Indian Learning Concepts 2011.

He is conferred with several awards such as Shastravidvanmani by TTD, Tirupati; Brahmarshi Award from the President of India instituted by PJSS, Rajasthan; Vijayashri by a social organization; Samskritasri by Bhasha Pracharini Sabha, Kanchi, TN; Shastravaridhi, Srimuth, Vishishtadvaita, TN; Vidyavachaspati by the Varanaseya Pandita Parishad, Varanasi; Shikshak Ratna by the Akashdeep Trust, presented by the H.E. Governor of Gujarat.

Born in Ajmer, Rajasthan in 1950 Pandit Satya Narayan Shastri was honoured with the title of ‘Sahitya-Shastri’ at Government Sanskrit College Examination, Benaras and in 1944 he was also honored with  the title of ‘Kavyatirth’ by Bengal Sanskrit Association, Kolkata.

The President of India presented him with a ‘Certificate of Honour’ in 2011 for his contribution in the field of Sanskrit. This certificate is given every year to a person over 60 years of age as recognition for their outstanding contribution of eminence.
Pandit Satya Narayan Shastri was awarded with Nimabark Bhushan by Akhil Bhartiya Nimbarkpeeth, Kishangarh, Rajasthan in 1993; Akhil Bharatvarshiya Kavya Puraskar, Rajasthan Sanskrit Academy, Jaipur 2004;

He has also received several felicitation certificates from various institutions and organizations across the country.
His books title are Sh. Saskritdhohasaptshti; Chandra Shekhar Azad; Mewar Martand Ha; Bharat Kuvalyam; Manovrathisudharam; Gitigouravam; Rastrakesri Veer Shivajiha; Sahityasudhasohityam; Sh. Satyanarayanvratkatha; Nagkanya Sulochana; Yotuakayatuha; Rahimdhohavali; Prakiransuktimouktikam; Ranapratapiyam; Manovrathi Sudharam.

Maharana Mewar Award
Maharana Mewar Award is a State Award. This award has been instituted to honour work of permanent value to those who consider it their duty, like the Diwan of Shree Eklingnath ji, to serve society through services in the field of education, literature, social services, philanthropy and character building activities.

Prof. S.M. Mohnot and Pandit Purshotam Gaur were presented with a ceremonial shawl, a silver “Toran” plaque of honour, a Citation certificate and a cash award of Rs. 25,001 each*.

The research conducted by Prof. S.M. Mohnot and his students has played a key-role in establishing the science of primatology in India. Their research work was duly recognized by the wild primate community when Harvard University, USA published Primates of South Asia in 1977.

A nation-wide international programme on primates was initiated by Dr. Mohnot in 1994 under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This programme produced a large number of talented young field biologists and a National Action Plan for Primates was formulated.

The team efforts by Dr. Mohnot to conserve and protect wild taxa and their habitats in the Northeast, Aravallis and the great Indian desert has resulted in a number of flagships that have produced similar models to protect endangered species. Subsequently Dr. Mohnot’s field research results were used by laboratory scientists for retrovirus research. The simian retroviruses were successfully isolated from langurs and rhesus monkeys for the advance of HIV-AIDS vaccine.

Dr. Mohnot raised concern about environmental degradation and ecosystem erosion, which he linked to the survival of rural poor. He identified resource depletion that resulted from ruthless mining, deforestation, soil and water pollution and drought. Dr. Mohnot developed ’Maru Gochar Yojana’ a means of rehabilitating pasturages in the desert against drought. At that time the Hon’ble High Court constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Mohnot to develop remedial measures to check unscientific mining and loss of water and green cover in the desert. As a way of educating workers, Dr. Mohnot led a campaign called the Mine Labour Protection Campaign (MLPC) for millions of exploited and uprooted mine workers from countryside. Dr. Mohnot chaired the Desert Form for networking and advocacy set up by NGO’s on public issues using scientific data and information.

On the strength of Dr. Mohnot’s contribution, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded Dr. Mohnot with an International Lifetime Commitment Award in 2001. The International Primatological Society awarded Dr. Mohnot with the Charles Southwick International Conservation & Education Award in 2004 and Primate Research Appreciation Award in 2008.

Dr. Mohnot is a recipient of first Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award in 1986, First National Environment Award in 1987 and Mahasant Jambheshwar Award in 1994. The BBC presented Dr. Mohnot’s research to a world audience in a film called ’Warriors of Monkey God’, which won two international Panda Awards in 2000. Dr. Mohnot’s film on langurs ’Jeevan Ke Dhani’ won a national award in 2001.

Pandit Purshotam Gaur is an activist for water conservation and an astrologer by profession.
It’s always better to come up with a solution rather than pointing out the issue and environmentalist Gaur has done exactly that by the well publicised water harvesting efforts in the city. Guruji  (as he is often called by the public because of his simple stature and sound knowledge) is crusading vigilantly to reduce water scarcity and has played an instrumental role in developing water harvesting infrastructure in more than 300 temples in Jaipur, Rajasthan with the aim of expanding his scheme throughout the country.

In 2000, he started on a mission with a campaign based on the premise that millions of gallons of sacred water used in temples simply go down the drain and get absorbed by the sewage system which is wasteful and environmentally degrading as well as religiously unacceptable. He put forward a proposal to channel the holy water to designated tanks and bore wells that would eventually recharge the underground water table of the city. His efforts have been widely applauded and received wide public response and cooperation.

Purushottam Gaur has achieved great success with his extraordinary innovative ways of water harvesting in more than 300 temples across the city. He collects water from temples (especially Shiva temples), and channels the water through several filter chambers before it drains into the ground and recharges the ground water. Geo scientists and ground water experts have now joined forces with him and instituted ‘Shiksha Samiti’   The institution has calculated that the city, with more than 3000 temples, uses at least 4.5 crore litres of water poured on the deity of Lord Shiva as well as other deities, per day, during the month of Shravan.  Although the quantum, during other months, isn’t as excessive it is still estimated that it contributes to  massive water wastage.

Pandit Purshotam Gaur has been successful in his efforts to connect with devotees across the city.  He has urged people to support his mission and join the Jalabhishek campaign for sustainable development by effective water harvesting.

Guruji explained, through his Institution, that Lord Shiva may not be happy with the notion that thousands of litres of water are discharging into the drains in a water-starved state like Rajasthan, even though the rituals are carried out to appease Him. In performing his or her ritual a devotee uses a thousand two-liter pitchers to Lord Shiva. If a family of five performs the ritual, it alone accounts for the use of 10,000 litres. With over 700 such temples in the city being cleansed by thousands of devotees daily, the wastage of water is staggering. Alarmed by this statistic, Guruji conceived the idea of harvesting the water. In 2001, the 41-year-old astrologer, from Jaipur, instigated the digging of 30-ft pits strategically placed where the water from the idols routed. He also instigated the digging of a separate 5-ft deep pit for the milk offerings. Formerly water and milk used to flow out unchecked into open areas near temples, creating unhygienic putrid and stagnant puddles. The areas around temples also became the breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies. Guruji emphasized that families ended up wasting their entire month’s requirement of water in just one ritual.

In some of the older temples, water is redirected to dry wells instead of a pit. In Civil Lines, Jaipur it has resulted in the renewed use of a dead bore well at a Shiva temple. But Guruji’s efforts to bring about change have not been easy and were initially suspected by some priests as a means of gaining popularity and demanding a right to worship. Even when his followers began donating money for the cause, most priests were reluctant to adopt the project although the cost is only ‘ 2500 for each well. Guruji admits that spreading awareness about his programme is not an easy task and demands personal interaction and persuasion ‘This needs to be done all over the country, not just in Jaipur,’ he says. Ground water experts say that since temples are located at a distance from each other, such harvesting does not provide instant results. it does, however, improve the water table in the immediate vicinity.

With global warming a burning issue, Guruji’s method of water harvesting could well appease Lord Shiva.

Maharana Kumbha Award

Maharana Kumbha is a State Award instituted to honour works of permanent value to society through the medium of history and literature. This year it was awarded to Dr. Rima Hooja and Shri Shyam Sundar Bhatt.

Historian, archaeologist and writer, Dr. Rima Hooja is currently a Member of the Government of India’s National Monuments Authority, Director of the MSID India Program of Minnesota University (USA), and Managing Trustee of the Jaipur Virasat Foundation, Jaipur. Dr. Rima Hooja is also a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland. She received a PhD in Archaeology from Cambridge University in the UK, for her research on the Ahar Culture. She has held several academic and research positions, and has served on several committees, boards, trusts and councils.

She has published over a 100 research papers, articles, book-reviews and reports. Books written by Rima Hooja include Ahar Culture and Beyond (BAR, Oxford, 1988); Prince, Patriot, Parliamentarian: Biography of Dr. Karni Singh - Maharaja of Bikaner (HarperCollins India, 1997); Crusader for Self-Rule: Tej Bahadur Sapru and the Indian National Movement (Rawat, 1999); Mandan’s “Devata-Murti-Prakarnam” (Prakrit Bharati, 1999); History of Rajasthan (Rupa & Co., 2006), and co-edited Constructing Rajpootana-Rajasthan (Rawat, 2009).

Her sources of inspiration include her Late father Mr. Bhupendra Hooja, and her Late brother Dr. Rakesh Hooja, both of whom were well-known writers, thinkers and senior officers in the Indian Administrative Service. Her mother, the internationally renowned sculptor Ms. Usha Rani Hooja, was awarded the Maharana Mewar Foundation’s Maharana Sajjan Singh Award in 1983.

Delhi-born Dr. Rima Hooja became a resident of Rajasthan at the age of two and a half.  She has subsequently specialised in the region making it the focus of  her work.  Her interest in archaeology and history developed as a child of nine or ten when she lived in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan where her late father was Collector and District Magistrate of the District. The Mewar region has indeed been fortuitous to have this special connection. She has carried out research on the Protohistory of Mewar and worked on an English translation of the text of ‘Devata-Murti-Prakarnam’ by Rana Kumbha’s famous architect/artisan Sutradhar Mandan.

Her book ‘A History of Rajasthan’, published in 2006 was awarded the ‘Publishers Recognition Award’, It has been nationally and internationally acclaimed and can be found on the shelves of many universities and research libraries. Dr. Hooja has done extensive in-depth study, research and writing on Rajasthan’s history and archaeology and it is in recognition of this work in history that the 2013 Maharana Kumbha Award is being conferred on Dr. Rima Hooja.

Shri Shyam Sundar Bhatt was born at Kuraj, Mewar. He realized all his academic ambitions and pursuits in Udaipur, and entered the Department of Education, Rajasthan as a senior teacher. Engaged in several national and international institutes of educational research, training and administration, during his professional journey, he retired as Assistant Director of Education of Udaipur Division in 1997. After retiring, Shri Bhatt worked as coordinator in the Shikshakarmi project for 7 years.

Shrimmad Bhagwat Gita and Chittorgarh left a lasting and deep impact on him. For three years, during a stay in Fiji, he had been actively associated with the activities of the Ramakrishna Mission. The first manifestation of his literary talent was seen in the English and Hindi translations and interpretation of the analysis of Alakh Pachhisi, composed by the legendary poet-philosopher of Mewar Bavji Shri Chatur Singh ji. The inspiration and determination to write and glorify the legendary heroes of Mewar and disseminate glory came to Shri Bhatt from the Veer Vinod. To write research based books about obscure and forgotten heroes, and glorify their deeds became his passion and mission of his life which he is still pursuing.

His works include Rana Hamir (Shakatiputra), Rana Pratap (Chetek Ghore Ka Sawar), Rana Amar Singh (Mewar Ka Surya Putra), and Rana Raj Singh (Durp) and research based work on Rana Sangram Singh. These works sincerely portray contemporary Mewar. Dave Vrat Chunda, Sindhupati Chach Dev,  Sindhuputra Dahar,  Sindhumitra Shri Bappa Raval, Bhagwan Parshuram, Chandra Malyageer are some of his best historical masterpieces. Apart from these creations he is the author of a number of books including:  Dictionary of Cultural Geography (Sanskrutik Bhugol Kosh), Vastu Vaibhav, National Policy on Education 1986, Operation Blackboard, Shri Charbhuja Gadhbor, and Gandhi Topi. Published in October 2012 ’Band Mutthiyon Ke Sapane’, a novel portraying the life of Indians living in Fiji, is a widely discussed work in the literary field. His recent research-based writing on Maharshi Harit is in currently under publication. Shri Bhatt is the recipient of several awards, the chief among them are the state award on Teachers’ Day for outstanding services and Rajasthan Sahitiya Academy Award for his historical novel ‘Mewar Ka Surya Putra’. He has been awarded and honored by several literary societies including Sahitya-Mandal of Nathdwara, Meerayan of Chittorgarh, Arsha Gurukul of Chittorgarh, Vanvasi Kalian Parishad Udaipur. His literary style and works are a unique reflection and combination of his sense of pride to be born in Mewar.  He demonstrates this through his high regard for legendary heroes, his research acumen about historical events and legendary people who may otherwise have disappeared into the oblivion of the past.  He attaches huge importance to the need to infuse high moral values to today’s youth. His noble endeavour to glorify and exemplify the history of Mewar globally will always be remembered. At present he is actively engaged in activities of Savitri Ba Phule Paryavaran Avm Shikshan Sanstha, Udaipur.

Maharana Sajjan Singh Award

Maharana Sajjan Singh Award is a State Award instituted to honour work of permanent value to society through the medium of paintings, fine art, sculpture, architecture and craft. This year it was conferred to Mr. Prithvi Raj Kumawat.

Mr. Prithvi Raj Kumawat was born in Jaipur at Shri Bhanwar Lal Kumawat on the14th August 1964. In 1975 when he was in Class V, he started his training under the guidance of a cousin and Guru Shri Chhotey Lal Kumawat. After 10 years hard training he started his own work shop in May 1986. He achieved extraordinary skills creating distinctive miniature and very difficult carvings during his 10 years training. His ambition however was to create something unique and extraordinary using different woods such as Rosewood, Ebony, Kadamb as well as using Shells, Marble and Gemstone and semi precious  stones.

His wide range of work embraces Indian God-Goddess; Ganesha, Laxmi, Sarswati, Krishna, Radha Krishna Raas Lila, Shiva, Shiva- Lingam, Natraj, Buddha, Shree-Yantra, flower pots Bowls, Plates, Pendants, Elephant, Birds and many more.

Mr. Kumawat started his training in 1975 with Guru Shree Chotey Lal Kumawat when he was only 10 years old. After 10 years of training he started his own work shop in May 1986. During his 37 years of work, carving, he has trained many students.

He was conferred State Award in the year 1986-87 for excellence for his carving on Rosewood; National Merit Certificate in the year 2004 for excellence for his carving with wood ‘Radha-Krishana’. Whilst on a tour of South Africa tour in 2005 Mr. Kumawat thought of doing something different to showcase Indian art and craft through carving.  He had the idea to work on an Ostrich Egg Shell.  After two months of concentrated and intricate work, he created a lamp from the shell of an Ostrich Egg which was decorated in Indian and Mughal miniature style Jali work.  It became a unique artifact, the first of its kind made in India. With composition not unlike stone Ostrich Egg Shell is very hard to carve on but finally Mr. Kumawat’s dream was realised when his unique creation was selected for National Award Certificate in the 2006 by Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. He received a Certificate of merit for participation in INDIA FAIR during Dubai Shopping Festival that took place in March/April 1998, from the Indian Association Dubai, UAE and again for participating in the 6th Global Shopping Festival 2008, from the Agenda Surya Communication, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Kumawat kshtriya Samaj, Jaipur 2008; For exhibiting crafts to the visitors of the TENDENCE Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, from the Consul General of India Frankfurt.

He exhibited his art at several places in India. In 2010 India Expo, Greater Noida, U.P.; Darya Sangam kala Academy, Panaji, Goa; Crafts Mela, Surajkund Haryana; Mysore Haat, Mysore, Karanataka; In 2011 Jawahar Kala Kendra,Jaipur; Kalagram, Chandigarh. And in 2012 India Expo, Greater Noida, U.P.

His International Exhibitions exposure was held at TENDENCE Fair, Frankfurt, Germany 2010; Singapore Expo. Singapore 2011; Port of Spain, West Indies 2011; International Autumn Fair 2012 Birmingham, United Kingdom 2012.

Dagar Gharana Award
Dagar Gharana Award is a State Award named after the illustrious House of Dagar who made Dhrupad and Dhammar Gayaki their personal and identifiable symbol of excellence in Indian classical music. This award was instituted to honour musicians for work of permanent value to society through their achievements in the field of Indian classical music, Rajasthani folk dance and music.

This year the award was conferred to Pandita Anuradha Pal.
Pandita Anuradha Pal is a world-renowned, multifaceted Tabla virtuoso, multi-percussionist and Music composer who has been hailed as the first professional female Tabla player in the world by Encyclopedia Britannica and the Limca Book of Records.
Ms. Pal has performed extensively at some of the most prestigious Music Festivals in the World including Woodstock, WOMAD, Voices of the World, Night of the Virtuosos, Rhythm Sticks Festival and Masters of Indian Music Festival; amongst various other events in the USA, UK, Europe, Africa, Japan, Brazil, Australia and the Far East. She also became the first and the youngest woman Indian Musician to perform at the WOMAD Festival, where she performed with Stree Shakti her all-female, percussion based music ensemble, to an audience of 1.5 lakh people.

She has performed sensational Tabla Solos and astutely accompanied some of the best musicians of India; Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Smt. Girija Devi, Ustad Sultan Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt; younger musicians like Rahul Sharma, Niladri Kumar, Rakesh Chaurasia as well as, acclaimed Jazz, Latin & African musicians in major Indian & International festivals.

Superbly trained by the Tabla legend the Late Ustad Alla Rakha & Zakir Hussain, Anuradha Pal is the youngest and only female Indian Musician to have performed at the prestigious Woodstock Festival; where she performed with her band Recharge, for an audience of 4 lakh people.

Anuradha Pal is the creator-composer of two well-known bands - Stree Shakti & Recharge. Stree Shakti is Asia’s first & much acclaimed, all female percussion —based music ensemble. Recharge is an acclaimed World Fusion band combining Indian & Jazz music spiced with Latin, African, & Indian percussion.

She has also composed the background score for M.F. Husain’s film; Gaja Gamini; which was highly acclaimed at the Cannes Film festival for its originality and evocativeness.

Anuradha Pal has made several CDs; ‘Sensational, Nirvana, Stree Shakti, Get Recharged, Sheer Magic, Tabla solo’ and a instructional Video training DVDs that is available on Amazon, iTunes as well as stocked in other major stores internationally.

Ms. Pal was invited as an artist in residence to attend the New England Conservatory & Berkeley School of Music. She contributed actively in the research of the ‘Relationship between the brain, Music & Language’ at Neurosciences University, San Diego & the ‘Study of Tabla, Aesthetics & complexities’ at the Harvard Science center (USA).

Prominent Awards received by her are Malva Taal Shiromani Samman, Malva Sangeet Manch Samiti 2011; Excellence Award, State of Canada 2010; Adwitiya Stree Shakti Puraskar, Kalidas Academy Ujjain 2010; Star Taal award, Star TV 2009; Zee Astitva Award, Zee Network 2007; Sanskrutic Puraskar,  Maharashtra State Govt. 2006;

Her international media appreciation & documentaries include BBC Radio World Service Program as one of the ’Five Prominent Women Musicians of India’ in 1991 & as “one of the World’s youth Icons & trendsetters in 2008”.

Featured in film by Doordarshan National Archives entitled ’Woman of Substance’ in 2006. Documentary ’All about her’ on the Times Now channel in 2004. India Today has mentioned in 2006 “30 Leading Women of India” and “a percussionist par excellence”. ’Adventure Divas’ by USA based Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) made a film featuring Anuradha Pal as one of the great women achievers of India and the World in 2001. Featured in the documentary titled ’Aaj ki Nari’ by the Films Division of India in 1999.

Rana Punja Award
Rana Punja Award is a State award instituted to honour works of permanent value to society by a person of tribal origin in commemoration of the mutual trust and continued association between the Bhil tribesmen and the House of Mewar.

This year the award was conferred to Mr. Shankarlal Dama and Ms. Prakrati Kharadi.

Mr. Shankarlal Dama was born in June 1967 in Sagwara Pal village of Kherwara block.  Sagwara is a very remote tribal village some 138 kms from Udaipur. Mr. Dama had to struggle hard to get his education, often also working as a paid labourer. Shankarlal attended primary education in the village school then class 6th to 8th in Rishabdeo and 9th to 11th in Udaipur.  During his time in Udaipur he used to deliver newspapers to meet his daily expenses. It proved difficult however to manage the cost of education and Shankarlal dropped out  of college although he helped his younger brother, who is now a Primary school teacher, to complete his studies. He also managed to get both his sister married.

Mr. Dama’s interest in helping his fellow community members was demonstrated even when he was very young. He joined an Adult Education Centre in Sagwara in 1973-74 run by Seva Mandir, an NGO based in Udaipur and started organizing street plays with his friends to raise awareness on education. In 2000, Seva Mandir was planning to start a non —formal school in Sagwara Pal, he was selected as one of their teachers.

At the same time Shankarlal Dama associated himself with various programmes:  formation of village  groups, conservation of local natural  resources; right to education and other community activities. He was convinced that without education, development would not be possible. He leveraged support from Seva Mandir to build 4 classrooms in his village school and demonstrated his commitment to work for the betterment of women.. He brought in people from various communities from villages in the region including both men and women to form a common platform for discussion on community development. Acknowledging his hard work and dedication he was made the Secretary of the Gram Vikas Committee (GVC) of his village. His contribution to the village’s prosperity was also applauded and as a result of his work, funds to support development in the village are now worth  Rs.5,60,000/-  Funds were allocated for activities within the village. He was subsequently elected the president of the GVC.

Mr. Dama and his fellow villagers also initiated work on forest protection under the Joint Forest Management (JFM although there have been conflicts on the 50 hectares of JFM site which the villagers are trying to resolve. Under his leadership, two dams, three lift irrigation systems and an agricultural programme was also commissioned in the village. As a result the village has been able to meet the demand for water and successfully implement improved agriculture interventions to lead a better quality life.

He has also contributed to a number of gender based activities; girl child education; social rituals such as moutana, witchcraft and others which have had negative impacts on the development of the community.

Now consulted by the government on various development issues and attached to several policy-making bodies Shankarlal was made the Sarpanch in 2010. But in his characteristic humble way he refuses to attach too much importance to his leadership.
His contribution in the field of education —upgrading the Sagwara school up to class XII and Jalpaka school up to class XI, infrastructure development include construction of good roads electrification work in the villages implementation of government schemes;  widows pension schemes, prohibiting alcohol, banning child marriage and other such rituals.

The journey so far has not been an easy one for Shankarlal Dama. His commitment to work for the development of society hasn’t always been noticed or received appropriate recognition but he has already become an icon for the youth in the villages because of his selfless service.  He has advanced as an individual and a leader.  His dedication to the current paradigm of development is widely admired and commands proper recognition. Dama Shankarlal could have easily chosen a path of self - improvement but he chose societal improvement - a rare and difficult path.  

Ms. Prakrati Kharadi was born in 1980 in the Surata Tribal area of Dungarpur, Rajasthan. She is descended from the family of the martyr Kalibai.

She completed her Masters in Geography; LLB; B.Ed and presently pursuing Labour Law Management. She established the Mahi Sagar Foundation (Trust) and Mahi Sagar Foundation (Society) for the development of tribal areas and empowerment of education.

Since a small child she has believed passionately in the need to educate tribal people and during her student life whilst working with various institutions she started a tribal girl child education movement in Dungarpur, Rajasthan.

After having the opportunity to visit various tribal areas Ms. Kharadi and see for herself how many people were stricken with poverty, malnutrition and were illiterate she founded a self -help group, Mahi Sagar Foundation Trust in 2007.

She took on the responsibility to find poor and illiterate tribal children and provide them with education. With the help of the Mahi Sagar Foundation Trust she gathered together tribal women and helped to spread awareness about malnutrition and illiteracy and encouraged the education of women in particular.

At the present time, around 5000 tribal girls and boys have received education because of her efforts.

She has been applauded by several institutions and dignitaries for her contribution, dedication and responsibility for working with the tribal people.

She is currently working in the tribal areas of Aspur, Ghatol and Jhadol spreading awareness and improving the quality of life of the tribal people.

Rana Punja Award 2013 has been given to her for the work of permanent value to the tribal people in recognition of the mutual trust and continued association she has formed with them.

Aravali Award
Aravali Award is a State Award instituted to honour and encourage outstanding sportsperson for achieving distinction in any discipline of sports and games.

Ms. Apurvi Chandela and Mr. Bhupendra Kumar Vyas were awarded the Aravali Award for year.

Ms. Apurvi Chandela is presently the Indian National-Champion in Shooting (Air-rifle 10 MT event).
She has become a renowned figure in the field of International/national Shooting of India. She started her career in this field about 5 years ago. To date she has won a total of 29 medals in various championships.

She has won International medals which include Gold and Bronze medal at 35th Inter-Shoot at The Hague, Netherlands. Team Gold Medal at the 4th Asian Shooting Championship, Kuwait in 2011. Team Silver medal at Nanchang, China in 5th Asian Shooting Championship. She is winner of Women’s Air Rifle Gold in the Sahara 56th National Shooting Championship 2012.
In 2009 she became the Junior National Champion. Her performances at the two World Cups at Milan (396/400) and at Munich (397/400) were highly commended for being third in MQS.

Apurvi was born and brought up at Jaipur. She studied at Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer and at Maharani Gayatri Devi School, Jaipur. A Jaipur girl, who has been training under the watchful eyes of her Russian coach at Mr. Gagan Narang’s (Olympian 2012) Gun for Glory Academy in Pune. Presently she is a student of 3rd year, Sociology Hons. at Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University.

Mr. Bhupendra Kumar Vyas has been in Rajasthan Police, Government of Rajasthan, employee since 1989, He is passionate about Powerlifting and wants achieve something for his country and home town of Udaipur. He developed an interest in athletics and sports 15 years ago when he was a passionate boxer and won many competitions in boxing. Originally from Nai Village near Udaipur, Bhupendra Kumar Vyas came from to hard working family without the means to maintain his passion for sports.

Udaipur’s Bhupendra Kumar Vyas has made Mewar proud of his commitment, strength and enthusiasm in Powerlifting Championships across the world. Over the past years he has represented Udaipur several times in district, state and national level competitions.

His performance in the Asian Powerlifting Championship 2012 held at Udaipur was outstanding as he gained 2nd overall position with 1 gold medal; 2 silver medals and over-all silver medal.

He was one of the senior athletes and power lifters in the country, who had been selected to represent India in the Commonwealth Unequipped Powerlifting and Benchpress Championship —2011, held in London. He participated in both equipped and unequipped competitions, under the 66-74 kg category.  He won 5 gold medals; 1 silver medal and 2 gold medals in over-all. Hundreds of people welcomed this 41-year old Police Constable and athlete on his victorious return at Udaipur City Railway Station with cheers, garlanding and the showering of flower petals.

In Mongolia in 2010 at the Asian Powerlifting Championship, Bhupendra Kumar Vyas won 2 gold medals and 1 bronze medal and overall managed to secure second place with silver in the 75 kg weight category.

Special Awards
The Special Award was instituted in 1981-82. Since then 73 notable individuals have been honoured.

Mr. Chaman Singh Chauhan and Mr. Vinay Bhanawat were awarded the Special Awards for year.

While most of us may feel absolutely repulsed and scared of snakes, Mr. Chaman Singh Chauhan, a well-known snake catcher of Udaipur has been working for the Wild Animal Rescue Centre and finds the reptile lovable and one of the most beautiful creatures in the world! He believes the life of a snake is as important as a human being. Over the last decade, he has dedicated his life to rescuing thousands of poisonous reptiles including 25000 Rattle Snakes. Rescue calls every minute is the normal schedule for Chaman Singh and once he entered a 100 feet deep well to rescue a snake.

Chaman Singh has always had a deep interest in wild life since childhood; as a result, he lost his concentration to study and only completed his schooling up to 10th class. Over the past decade, Chaman has worked with a number of animal rescue organization including the Animal Aid Society and Forest Department.  He has travelled to remote and inaccessible places to save wild animals and has undertaken a specialized training of 7 days in Snake Catching from Snehal Patel at Baroda.‘I could hardly concentrate on books. I used to bunk school to take care of stray dogs and other animals whom I found to be suffering and provided them with primary treatment’, said Chaman Singh. He has never been bitten by any of the reptiles he has rescued and has said avoidance is due to an individual’s catching style. Holding a snake with soft hands will keep the catcher away from the venom.Chaman Singh has always advocated the importance of educating people about the behavior of the venomous reptiles and the “do’s” and “don’ts” of how to handle a snake found in the locality. In the rainy season he solves more than 20 cases in a day, whilst the number of complaints reduces to around 4 a day in other seasons. As well as teaching people in the community he has also taught his family members how to catch a snake without getting bitten.

Like many talented individuals, Chaman Singh has had to face  problems to make Snake Catching his career. His father Late Mohan Singh Chauhan wanted him to study and find a steady conventional job. Adhering to his father’s wishes, he tried almost every job available to him but failed to perform well. The future plans of Chaman include opening an animal rescue hospital in the city, so as to save lives of accidentally injured animals. At present, there is no such hospital across the state resulting in the death of wild life. He is commonly known as the ‘Snake Shyam’ of Northern India. He is always available for any call for the rescue of animals. Chaman Singh  was awarded by Udaipur Municipal Council, Udaipur; Forest Department, Udaipur; District Administration 2007; and from several institutions at District level.

Mr. Vinay Bhanawat, born on 9th February 1957 at  Bathera Kalan, Udaipur. Mr. Bhanawat is a businessman with a passion for collecting Currency Notes, he broke the world record of Mr. Mohammed Farooq of Dubai and became the World Record India Award Holder 2012 for collecting 86067 Indian Currency Banknotes of Rs. 10 ending with serial number 786. The total value of his collection is Rs. 8,60,670/- collected from notes from February, 2008 to September, 2012.

He has collected 129 sets of 9 notes each of 100000 to 900000 number and 24 sets of 89 notes each of 111111 to 999999 in what he names his fancy numbers currency collection. The value of his collection is Rs 1,13,610/-and for this he was declared the World’s biggest fancy number collector by Unique World Records in 2012. Bhanawat was declared as World’s biggest collector of Banknotes by Unique World Records in 2012. He has also acquired a silver coin of Maharana Pratap issued by the Government of Malta who produced only 100 coins of 1 kg each in 2004. He is Founder and President of Mewar Philately Society, Udaipur.

He has been honoured by the Department of Post, Government of India several times with ‘Large Silver Medal’ at National Philatelic Exhibition ‘INPEX —EMPIREPEX 2001’; Bronze Medal at 9th in 2003; 10th in 2003; 11th in 2007; 12th in 2010 ‘RAJPEX’ Rajasthan State Philatelic Exhibitions;

Silver Medal at 1st District Level Philatelic Exhibition ‘UDAIPEX 2000’; 1st position at 2nd District Level Philatelic Exhibition ‘UDAIPEX 2005’;

Mr. Bhanawat was appointed as a Member of Board of Juries by Department of Post, Government of India at Postage Stamp Design Competition for the year 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. He was felicitated by District Administration on Republic Day 2002. He was honoured by Society For Environmental Education and Research, India (SEERI) for the Best Environment Exhibition of  Stamp in India —2004. In 2001, he played a key role in establishing Philately Bureau at Udaipur under Department of Post, GOI as a result of which people of Udaipur, Mewar had the opportunity of collecting commemorative stamps. He was also honored by The Honourable Chief Minister of Pondicherry, Mr. Thiru. N. Rangaswamy, at a felicitation ceremony organized by Assist World Record Research Foundation held on 15th October 2012 for having the largest number of currency notes ending with ‘786’.

Vinay Bhanawat has chalked up several records through his passion for currency note collecting and has recently been registered in the Limca Book of Records too by collecting the most Indian Currency Notes with their serial number ending with 786.  He has been building his collection for the past 40 years. Bhanawat’s collection has been felicitated many times, and to showcase it in public, his son is building a gallery of his father’s collection at their house.

Maharana Mewar Special Award for Best Police Station of Rajasthan was given to Police Station Rajiyasar, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan for its achievement and contribution to community policing; police action planning; communal harmony; law and order maintenance as well as programmes through public private partnership.

Bhamashah Award is a State award to honour excellence in students chosen from amongst all the Universities of Rajasthan. 36 students received this award for the academic year  2011-2012.

Maharana Raj Singh Award is a city of Udaipur award. This award was instituted to honour deserving students of universities based within the municipal limits of Udaipur and also students from those colleges who are affiliated to these universities, but are located outside Udaipur, for distinguished achievements in Games and sport, and Cultural, literary, co-curricular and extra curricular activities conducted by a recognised body. 14 students received this award for the academic year 2011-2012.

Maharana Fateh Singh Award is a city of Udaipur Award honouring those students who have passed the exams of Central Board of Secondary Education and Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan from Secondary and Senior Secondary schools located within municipal limits of Udaipur. 52 students received this award for the academic year 2011-2012.