Famous Child Care activist Gopinath R. selected for Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Youth Award 2017

Bengaluru, November 18: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) which is the largest student organization has selected Gopinath R. for Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Yuva Puraskar 2017. Gopinath R. is a known child care activist from Bengaluru and has been taking care of at least 400 deprived children.

Notably, ABVP selected a known child care activist from Bengaluru Gopinath R. for Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Yuva Puraskar 2017 amongst the various nominations received this year from all over the country. The selection committee of Yuva Puraskar 2017 has selected nomination of Gopinath R. in appreciation of his work for “Childcare, protection and development”.

 

Prof.Yashwantrao Kelkar Yuva Puraskar 2017 will be presented to Shri Gopinath R. on 2nd December 2017 in a special function at the 63rd National Conference of ABVP which will be held at Ranchi (Jharkhand) from 30th November 2017 to 3 rd December 2017. This Puraskar comprises of Rs 50,000/- in cash, a certificate and a memento.

 

ABVP National President Prof. Dr. Nagesh Thakur and National General Secretary Vinay Bidre congratulated recipient of Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Youth Award 2017 Shri Gopinath R. and extended their good wishes for all his future endeavours.

Gopinath R, popularly known as Gopi, is a Post Graduate from the Department of Social Work, Bangalore University and hails from a rural background. Gopi was also a child laborer and bonded laborer during his childhood. Childhood struggle, unforgettable experiences and the instrumental role played in his life by his stepmother were causative factors for Gopi to start “Sparsha Trust” working for empowerment and holistic development of vulnerable, disadvantaged children who are in a crisis.

Through his individual and “Sparsha Trust” efforts about 400 deprived children at 8 of the centers around Bangalore are being taken care of. Till now Sparsha Trust has been able to reach more than 2500 children, who need care, protection and development. To take care of these children about 40 social workers have joined hands with Gopinath.

 

This award is given in the memory of Late Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar whose contribution was like a foundation stone to build up and flourished Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the world’s largest student organization. This award has been given since 1991. This is a collaborative activity of ABVP and ‘Vidyarthi Nidhi Trust, both committed for the cause of upliftment of education and students.’

 

The primary objective of Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Yuva Puraskar is to encourage efforts of young social workers in various fields of public service; acknowledge and respect their good work, bring them into the limelight and express gratitude towards them on behalf of the entire youth community. It also aims to motivate students to draw inspiration from the awardees and get inspired to serve the society themselves.