Celebrating the Vision of Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh
The Chaudhary Charan Singh Awards, instituted by Kisan Trust, recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to rural development, agriculture, and journalism—sectors that were close to the heart of Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh.
The inaugural edition of the awards was held in New Delhi on December 21, 2024, and was graced by Honourable Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The awards celebrate the spirit of innovation, dedication, and service to rural India, reflecting the legacy of India’s fifth Prime Minister.
2024 Awardees
🏆 Kalam Ratna Award – Ms. Neerja Chowdhury (Eminent Journalist) For exceptional coverage of the 2024 general elections.
🏆 Sewa Ratna Award – Dr. Rajendra Singh (Water Conservationist) Honored for his pioneering efforts in water conservation.
🏆 Krishak Uttthan Puraskar – Dr. Firoz Hossain (Maize Scientist) Recognized for groundbreaking research in agricultural sciences.
🏆 Kisan Award – Mr. Pritam Singh (Sustainable Farmer) Awarded for outstanding contributions to sustainable farming practices.
Honoring a Legacy of Rural Empowerment
Speaking at the event, Shri Jayant Chaudhary emphasized the importance of carrying forward Chaudhary Charan Singh’s vision for rural progress. “These awards serve as a tribute to his legacy, recognizing individuals who are driving change in agriculture, rural development, and journalism.”
To further preserve and promote Chaudhary Charan Singh’s teachings, the Chaudhary Charan Singh AI Hackathon was also announced, along with a year-long campaign to amplify his contributions.
Honoring a Leader Who Transformed India's Agricultural Landscape
A special book detailing the life and contributions of Chaudhary Charan Singh was inaugurated at the event. The awards were carefully deliberated upon by a distinguished jury panel, including Dr. Yashveer Singh, Dr. A.K. Singh, Mr. Pravin Jain, Mrs. Sonia Singh, and Dr. Tariq Mansoor. Their valuable insights ensured the selection of truly deserving individuals who embody the vision of Chaudhary Charan Singh.
The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Mr. Ravi Kant Chadda, expressing gratitude to all attendees, dignitaries, and supporters who contributed to making the inaugural edition a grand success.
PRESENTS
The Chaudhary Charan
Singh AWARDS
Edition One
Chaudhary Charan Singh
The nation remembers Chaudhary Charan Singh, the honourable 5th Prime Minister of India, as a visionary statesman who deeply understood the struggles of India 's rural population and devoted his life to transforming our agricultural landscape.
He was hailed as the ‘Champion of Indian Farmers ’. Under his leadership the nation witnessed many boldland reforms that focused on empowering our farmers with equitable access to land, resources, and markets. His policies not just laid the groundwork for India’s agricultural revolution, ensuring that the voice of rural India was heard at the highest levels of governance, it also gave birth to Kisan Trust. A not- for-profit foundation that continues to carry forward his welfare policies in the rural regions of India that have been nurtured by him and his family. Inspired by his memory and his visionary reformist views, the trust forges ahead in its philanthropic projects.
For members of the trust, 2024 became a historic year when Charan Singh ji was posthumously conferred with The Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. The nation not just remembered this champion but also acknowledged the need to create a prosperous and self-reliant rural India. This historic recognition further cemented his place as a true protagonist of the village and its community and a national leader who tirelessly worked for the upliftment of farmers and the rural sector.
The Chaudhary Charan Singh AWARDS
To celebrate this momentous year and in the spirit of the Bharat Ratna, Kisan Trust expands the CHAUDHARY CHARAN SINGH AWARDS that will now onwards, not just honour feisty journalists but also thinkers, innovators, scientists and activists who have contributed in furthering the rural economy and the agricultural industry
Expanding the scope of these awards, the trust not only honours courageous and honest journalists but also recognises and celebrates pioneering and innovative contributions in agricultural research and practices. In doing so, the trust aims to uphold Chaudhary Charan Singh’ s vision of a progressive and prosperous rural India.
The Chaudhary Charan Singh Awards will thus continue to acknowledge individuals and organisations that embody his values of courage, innovation and dedication to the welfare of society
The Chaudhary Charan
Singh AWARDS
21st December, 2024
Categories | Criterion | Timeline
Kisan Trust will announce the awards through a press conference in the last week of November, inviting nomination in the various categories. The date to file nomination is between 27th November - 10th December.
A credible jury consisting of Kisan Trust board members and stalwart thinkers and leaders across industries will select the final awardees who will be honoured in the following categories:
The jury members for the award ceremony include:
- Dr. Yashveer Singh (Chairman, Kisan Trust)
- Dr. A.K. Singh (Retired Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa)
- Prof. Tariq Mansoor (Former Vice-Chancellor, AMU)
- Mrs. Sonia Singh (Senior Journalist, NDTV)
- Mr. Praveen Jain (Senior Photo journalist)
The jury will consider public suggestions and assess the nominated candidates ' contributions before finalizing the winners
The Chaudhary Charan
Singh AWARDS
21st December, 2024
Categories | Criterion | Timeline
The Krishi Ratna Award- कृषि रत्न पुरस्कार : Recognizing
excellence in agricultural innovation, this award comprises two categories :-
1. ) Kisan Puraskar - किसान पुरस्कार ( Individuals only)
2. ) Krishak Utthaan Puraskar- कृषक उत्थान पुरस्कार (For Individuals and Organizations.)
The Seva Ratna Award - सेवा रत्न पुरस्कार : For selfless
service to humanity. (For Individual and Organisation.)
The Kalam Ratna Award - कलम रत्न पुरस्कार : For feisty reportage. (Individuals only)
The Krishi Ratna Award aims to recognise and honour outstanding contributions and innovations in the field of agriculture. The motive behind this award is to felicitate both organisations and individuals for having uplifted and reformed agricultural practices, brought forth a scientific excellence in them, and been instrumental in rural livelihood enhancement.
Eligible nominees will include agricultural experts, researchers, and industry stakeholders with measurable impact. Winners will be selected by an esteemed panel of experts.
The Seva Ratna Award celebrates the spirit of selfless service by honoring individuals and organizations dedicated to the welfare, equality, and upliftment of society. It acknowledges those whose efforts have brought transformative change to marginalized communities and advanced social empowerment.
Not only will they be awarded for their selfless service but also their ideas and schemes that have helped in taking forward the nation’s SDG goals. Special impetus will be placed on environment activism given the havoc climate change is playing on rural economies and livelihoods
For a democracy to thrive, it is important that its media is able to express its views fearlessly and report freely. An independent and unbiased media must be able to comment on public issues without censorship or restraint and inform the public of the government proceedings and policies. The public also has a corresponding right to receive news in an unadulterated, unbiased format.
As a means to protect the rights of media users, including members of ethnic and linguistic minorities, and, to encourage an independent and diverse media, Kisan Trust has instituted the Fearless Journalism Award that recognises journalists who have shown exceptional courage and dedication to their craft
KISAN TRUST
Jai Jawan Jai Kisan
A Charitable Trust registered under the Societies Registration Act ,1860, Kisan Trust was established on 3rd April 1979. Its foundation stems from the belief that a nation can only prosper when the socio economic conditions of its rural people is improved
The aims and objects of the Kisan Trust are to educate India ’ s rural masses against exploitation and injustice, to foster unity and solidarity amongst them. The Trust is non-political, non-profit making in nature
"The true India resides in its villages"
CHAUDHARY CHARAN SINGH
