AmeriCares India Spirit of Humanity Awards 2013 held in Mumbai

The fourth edition of the AmeriCares India Spirit of Humanity Awards 2013 was recently held in Mumbai. This year a total of 22 NGOs were shortlisted across the six categories; Child Nutrition, Infections, Jury’s Choice, Neurology, Oncology Service and Women’s Health. The Chief Guest for the awards function was Suresh Shetty, Health Minister, Maharashtra.

Gram Chetna Kendra received the award in Child Nutrition category, followed by TB Alert India in Infections Category; Udaan – For the Disabled in Neurology/Mental Health; RM Pain & Palliative Care trust in Oncology Service; Fluorosis Research & Rural Development Foundation in Women’s Health Category and Magic Bus India Foundation in Jury’s Choice category.

Entries were invited in October 2012, where over 200 NGOs sent their entries for the six categories. Nominations were open to Indian individuals (adults) and Organisations (registered since at least three years). Screening of all nominations received was done by screening committee members which consisted of experts from fields including healthcare, social sector etc.

All the 22 shortlisted nominees made an oral presentation to an eight-member jury consisting of eminent people from different sections of the society. Jury members included Hasit Joshipura, Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline and Anil Matai, Chief Executive Officer, Novartis, amongst others. The entire process was supervised by KPMG, the Knowledge partner. After the presentations, all the nominees interacted with each other and with the jury members.

The winners were given a cheque of Rs one lakh, a trophy and a certificate. The Child Nutrition category award was supported by Abbott Nutrition, the Oncology Service by Novartis Oncology, and the Jury’s Choice by ICON.

EP News Bureau – Mumbai