Since 1977, the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation has been promoting Gandhiji's constructive programs and honouring people who have aligned themselves with the Foundation's causes.
For seventeen fruitful years, Shri Ramkrishna Bajaj guided the affairs of this unique institution and provided leadership, guidance and assistance for the spread of philanthropy and promotion of Gandhian constructive work. On the demise of Shri Ramkrishna Bajaj on 21st September, 1994, Shri Rahul Bajaj took over as Chairman of the Foundation. From 1994 till February, 2022 the Foundation's activities were nurtured under the dynamic leadership of Shri Rahul Bajaj. After the demise of Shri Rahul Bajaj, the Foundation handed over the reins to its new Chairman Shri Shekhar Bajaj, elder son of Shri Ramkrishna Bajaj, to take forward the legacy. The Chairman along with a competent Board of Trustees, has continued to nurture the activities of the Foundation.
The Foundation has instituted four annual awards, each carrying a cash prize of Rs. 20,00,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency), a citation and a trophy; to encourage people to continue with their exemplary work of community development. The awards are given to individuals for outstanding contribution in the fields of:
To commemorate the birth centenary of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj, the Foundation presented a special award to Dr. Nelson Mandela in 1990, which consisted of Rs. 5,00,000, a citation and a specially sculptured trophy signifying Dr. Mandela's fight for freedom.
The Jamnalal Bajaj Awards are regarded as the most coveted ones in the field. The stature of the members of the Council of Advisers and Selection Panels has played a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of the awards. Over the years, Presidents and Prime Ministers of India, Chief Ministers, Finance Ministers, social and spiritual leaders and Nobel Laureates have graced the award functions as Chief Guests. For detailed information visit www.jamnalalbajajawards.org/
Rural development is one of the important activities of Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. These activities are also conducted by the Bajaj Group of Companies and Voluntary Organisations sponsored or supported by them. Over the years, these activities have brought rural people together with the objective of involving them in the activities of common interest. Rural development programmes are in operation in Wardha, Maharashtra and in other regions of India. Of special significance is the Foundation's financial contribution to widows and children of farmers of the Vidarbha district who have committed suicide. Among the other rural development activities supported are income generation and skill development programmes, sanitation, biogas project, supply of potable drinking water, family welfare, pre-primary education, spread of literacy, agriculture and animal husbandry, construction of water storage tanks, self-employment, development of renewable sources of energy, immunisation and eye care camps, hand pump installation, naturopathy, irrigation, rehabilitation of child labour, adult education, rain water harvesting and recharging of existing wells, Balwadi, Mahila Silai Prashikshana Kendra, Nari Shakti Vibhinna Rojgar Kendra, Charkha Centre, Basic Education Centre, etc. Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation and the Bajaj Group of Companies contribute substantially to the funding of these programmes. The participation of the beneficiaries is also a very essential feature of all the programmes.
