Application window now open for the 2016 'Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards'

MC Mary Kom, Olympic medallist and five-time world boxing champion appointed as the Programme Ambassador

Gurgaon: The 2016 'Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards' (SOCA) programme, organized by DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance (DPLI) in India now invites individual and group applications from students in Classes VI-XII from across the country, who have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer community service. The top two individual category winners will receive medallions, cash prizes and a return trip to Washington, D.C. in May 2016. Members of the Best Group entry will receive medallions and a cash prize to be shared amongst themselves.

MC Mary Kom, Olympic medallist and India's five-time world boxing champion has been signed up as the Programme Ambassador for this year's awards programme. Ms. Kom will be working closely with the organizers to lead a digital campaign aimed at encouraging school children to start volunteering to make a positive change in their communities. In addition, she will also help drive participation from students who are already involved in community service.

Announcing the appointment of MC Mary Kom as the 2016 Programme Ambassador, Mr. Anoop Pabby, Managing Director & CEO, DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance, said "We are delighted to have MC Mary Kom champion the 2016 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards. Ms. Kom is an inspiration for all of us, not just because she is an Olympic medalist, but also because she embodies all those values that make a good human being. Her grit and determination, her go-getter attitude, as well as her passion and commitment to make a difference are truly admirable qualities."

"For the last 5 years, SOCA has been felicitating students with similar traits who have worked towards making a positive change in their communities. I am confident that Ms. Kom will be able to inspire more students to join this movement and become change agents for a better tomorrow", he added.

Talking about her role in promoting SOCA, MC Mary Kom, said, "I am honoured to be associated with the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards and the indomitable spirit of youth that it represents. The kind of volunteer work that the past SOCA finalists have undertaken is very encouraging. Being a mother, I know that children today are extremely bogged down with their studies, homework and extra-curricular activities. Even play time is very limited. So to give up on that and instead spend their free hours helping the less fortunate is truly commendable."

"I strongly believe that the need of the hour is to sensitize more and more children to look beyond their own lives. So I am hoping that I can use my influence to mobilize the student community to start volunteering and making a difference to other's lives. I am also looking forward to meeting the top SOCA honourees of 2016", she added.

The application forms for SOCA can be filled online or downloaded from www.spiritofcommunityindia.com. The last date for submission of completed and certified applications is December 31, 2015.

Over the last five years, more than 13,000 children have participated in SOCA by sending in their applications and 400+ students have been recognized for their community service efforts.

About the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards

Introduced in 2010 in India, the 'Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards' is an annual nationwide search to identify and recognize school students who have made a positive difference in their communities through volunteer community service.

The prestigious awards programme organized by DPLI is the India chapter of the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, the largest youth recognition programme in the United States based exclusively on volunteer service. The programme was introduced in the U.S. in 1995 by Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI), DPLI's international Joint Venture partner. India is the 6th country outside the United States to conduct the Awards programme. Other participating countries include PFI subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland and China.

The national recognition events for SOCA winners are held in Washington, D.C. every year, and include gala award ceremonies at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, tours of the capital's historic monuments and landmarks, a festive dinner cruise on the Potomac River, and plenty of opportunity for the students to share their experiences and ideas with one another. The winners also hear from notable public figures, which in the past have included Jimmy Carter, Barbara Bush, Whoopi Goldberg, Colin Powell, Sarah Ferguson (the Duchess of York), Laura Bush, Condoleeza Rice, Ian Manning and Kevin Spacey.

About DPLI

DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance Company Limited (DPLI) is a joint venture between Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd. (DHFL), India's second largest private sector housing finance company and Prudential International Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (PIIH), a fully owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI), a financial services leader headquartered in the U.S. DPLI represents the coming together of two renowned financial services organizations with a legacy of business excellence spread over decades. The life insurance joint venture agreement between the two partners was signed in July 2013. DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance, which was earlier known as DLF Pramerica Life Insurance started operations in India on September 01, 2008 and has a pan India presence through multiple distribution channels which have been customized to address the specific insurance needs of diverse customer segments. The Company is committed to providing protection and quality financial advice to its customers. For further details on the Company, please visit www.dhflpramerica.com.

About DHFL

DHFL was founded in 1984 by Late Shri Rajesh Kumar Wadhawan with a vision to provide financial access to the lower and middle income segments of the society. Today, led by Mr. Kapil Wadhawan, CMD, DHFL, the Company is one of India's leading mortgage finance institutions with presence in over 500 locations across the country, in addition to representative offices in Dubai and London. All through its years of growth, DHFL has stayed with its core vision of financial inclusion. The Company's wide network, coupled with insights into local customer needs has enabled the Company to provide meaningful financial access to customers even in India's smallest towns. With a strong business foundation, an extensive distribution network, proven industry expertise and a deep understanding of the Indian customer, DHFL is one of India's largest financial services companies.
For further details, please visit www.dhfl.com.

About PFI

Pramerica is a trade name used by Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI), a company incorporated and with its principal place of business in the United States, and its affiliated companies in select countries outside the United States. PFI (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with more than ,1.204 trillion of assets under management as of March 31, 2015 , has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America. PFI's diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., PFI's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

^*Pramerica and the Rock Logo are proprietary service marks and may not be used without the permission of the owner