STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FELICITATED AT THE 8th ANNUAL PRAMERICA SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS

>> Over the last 8 years, over 30,000 children from 1500+ schools have applied for the awards. More than 600 students have been recognized for their community service efforts

>> Programme Ambassador, Saina Nehwal, Olympic Medalist and Former World No.1 Badminton Player applauded and honoured the finalists from across the country

Gurugram: The 8th Annual Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards (SOCA) hosted by DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance (DPLI) felicitated 29 school students for their extraordinary efforts in the area of community service at a ceremony in Gurugram. These finalists were shortlisted from over 4000 applications received in a nationwide search for the country’s top student volunteers. Programme Ambassador, Olympic Medalist and Former World No.1 Badminton Player, Saina Nehwal was the Chief Guest at the event.

The prestigious awards programme introduced in 2010 is the India chapter of the Spirit of Community Awards, the largest youth recognition programme in the United States based exclusively on volunteer service.

The top honours in the Individual Category went to Ishita Mangla a Class XI student of Delhi Public School, RK Puram, New Delhi, for her initiative, ‘Sunain’ that diagnoses and treats children with amblyopia and poor visual acuity and Banupriya S., a Class VIII student of P.U.M.S (SSA), Kalachery West, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu for fighting against the beliefs and superstitions attached to menstruation in her village. Both the 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. While in Washington, D.C., they will represent India in the felicitation ceremonies for Spirit of Community Award winners from all participating countries. 

A group of five students, Ashwini Singh, Lakhpat Singh, Rahul, Sumit Singh and Sunil Singh from Govt. Higher Secondary School, Kotra, Rajasthan were declared winners in the Group Category for organizing an effective and sustainable campaign to spread awareness about water management and conservation. They were presented with Gold medallions, Certificates of Excellence and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 to be shared among them.

14 other well deserving finalists in the Individual Category and two more in the Group Category received Certificates of Achievement and Silver medallions. 

Addressing the finalists at the awards ceremony, Mr. Anoop Pabby, MD & CEO, DPLI said, “Through SOCA, we identify and recognize young volunteers like you who have made a significant difference in society through their community service work. You have taken the initiative to find causes to support that have impacted the lives of many and have not let age come in the way of your contribution. I congratulate you for your incredible achievements and hope that you will continue the good work you are doing.”

He added, “I believe that every child has the potential to bring a positive change. All they need is motivation and a push in the right direction. I am sure that your remarkable efforts will inspire more and more children to give back to the communities they live in.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Programme Ambassador, Saina Nehwal, said, “It is an honour for me to be associated with SOCA for the second consecutive year. Children are our future and encouraging their efforts to give back to society at a young age is a very good initiative. I am impressed by the enterprising ability of the applicants to start these community projects. Their hard work and dedication is an inspiration for other children and I wish them the best for their future.”

The two national winners were selected by an eminent jury panel comprising Prof. Anita Rampal, Professor & Former Dean, Faculty of Education, Delhi University; Ms. Shovana Narayan, World renowned Kathak dancer; Ms. Richa Anirudh, Journalist & a well-known face of Hindi Television; Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation; Ms. Soha Moitra, Director of the Northern Region & the Volunteer Action division, CRY; Mr. Kapil Pandey, Founder and President, The Kutumb Foundation; and Ms. Shilpa Dureja Puri, Director Marketing - Digital & Experiential, Microsoft India. 

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 capitol’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.

About the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards (SOCA)

Introduced in 2010 in India, ‘The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards' is an annual nationwide search to identify and recognize school students in Classes VI - XII who have made a positive difference in their communities through voluntary community service.  

The prestigious awards programme organized by DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (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. Introduced in 1995 by Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI), DPLI’s international Joint Venture partner, the U.S. programme has officially recognized more than 115,000 school students for their meaningful contribution towards their communities. India is the 8th country outside the United States to conduct the Awards programme. Other participating countries include PFI subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, China, Brazil and Poland.  

About DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance (DPLI)

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.  

DPLI 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 inion 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 for Indians to own a home of their own. Today, led by Mr. Kapil Wadhawan, CMD, DHFL, the company is CARE Triple A rated and reckoned as one of India’s leading financial institutions with a large presence across the country, in addition to representative offices in Dubai and London.  

Throughout its years of growth, DHFL has stayed true to its core vision of financial inclusion, especially to the low and middle income customers across India. 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 a respected and trusted financial services company in India with a concerted focus towards enabling home ownership to the low and middle income customer. For further inion, please visit www.dhfl.com

About PFI

PFI*, a financial services leader with ,1.334 trillion of assets under management as of June 30, 2017, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Prudential’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. Prudential International Insurance Holdings & Prudential Financial Inc. of the United States are not affiliated with Prudential Plc, a Company incorporated in the United Kingdom. In the U.S., PFI’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more inion, please visit www.news.pramericafinancial.com.