Keeping the spirit of humanity alive and motivating the common man to live with confidence, courage, integrity, grooming and camaraderie, Gillette India honoured individuals who exemplified these soldierly values. In the first of its kind initiative, 10 such citizen soldiers were awarded the ‘Blade of Honour’ in a glittering ceremony that was held at the Taj Palace in New Delhi on 11th Dec. The initiative is a part of Gillette’s Salute the Soldier in You movement. Through this campaign, Gillette India will help generate funds for the welfare of soldiers & their families and will channelize the resources via a well-known NGO ‘Sainik Welfare Organization’.
Well-known actress Soha Ali Khan graced the event and felicitated these citizen soldiers who put duty before self, and courage above all else. The event also witnessed performances by the Sadhya dance group.
The winners of ‘Gillette Blade of Honour’ in alphabetical order are as follows:
Ankit Mehta: A bank employee by profession, Ankit Mehta is a part of an organization called ‘YUVA Unstoppable’. He along with other 7-8 volunteer teachers utilizes the unused government schools to teach street children on the weekends.
Kailash Mali: An auto-rickshaw driver by profession, he helps people with any kind of disability. Whenever disabled people need him, he not only provides a free ride to them in his auto but also helps them with food, clothing and medicines.
Naushad Khan: A real estate agent by profession, Naushad saved 50% of his income for the past few years to set up two schools for the poor children in a backward area of his city. He has never taken donations from anyone and has also repaired local mosques in his individual capacity.
Nishant Sapra: He started a child welfare organization ‘Sapney’ in 2005 for the welfare of underprivileged children. Today the organization boasts of a volunteer strength of more than 50 odd people who take out time every year to organize events for children’s welfare. The organization donates books, clothes and even helps the children financially.
Rajat Kumar Agarwal: President of ‘Sankalp India Foundation’, a voluntary youth organization which took a resolution to ensure that no one dies due to shortage of blood. Run by young working people and college students, the organization today is a 24X7 helpline for blood and networks all major blood banks in Karnataka.
Rajesh Dheer: An active member of Zorba Charitable Trust in Ahmadabad, this 36 year old businessman helps old age people, underprivileged children, orphans and visually challenged people with whatever they may need.
Ritesh Kapoor: 10 years ago, Ritesh saved his grandmother and a few other elderly ladies from a fire accident. His house was situated on the 3rd floor, next to a petrol pump when a fuel tanker set ablaze. The fire reached his house and he rescued all the people who were caught in the fire. Ritesh showed great courage and presence of mind and saved a lot of innocent lives.
Venkatraghavachari Mani: He takes care of over 180 children whose parents are serving term in the jail. He along with his wife started an organization called ‘So Care’ in Bangalore which provides home, food, education and general welfare to these children.
Viral Mahesh Bhai Patel: The 25 year old businessman is a citizen soldier who is always on alert to help people in whatever capacity he can. He has stopped eve teasers and protected the needy against violence. He regularly stops to help strangers, spends time with the underprivileged and helps victims of accidents.
Virendra Singh (Sam): Virendra runs a school called ‘Pardada Pardadi School’ for girls where he gives them free food, clothes, a cycle and ten rupees everyday. He came back from USA to his hometown to do something for his people. He rescued 4 girls who were being sold by their parents in return for money. Now these girls stay in the school and study there.
Speaking on this occasion Sharat Verma Brand Manager, Gillette India said, “This initiative is an attempt to honor those who stood up for a cause and made a difference when others just acted as spectators. These people have proved that if we have courage, belief and dedication then anything can be achieved. We take immense pleasure in felicitating such individuals with the ‘Blade of Honor Award’ and hope that it will inspire many others to follow the same path to make our society a better place to live.” |
