Pune’s Sarhad NGO bags Mahaveer Award 2026 for Non-Violence & Vegetarianism
Announcement posted by Catalyst PR 10 Feb 2026
The 29th edition of the Mahaveer Awards, instituted by the Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation to recognise exemplary humanitarian service, has been conferred on the Pune-based Sarhad, a social, cultural and educational organisation. Sarhad has been selected for the Mahaveer Award 2026 for Non-Violence & Vegetarianism in recognition of its sustained efforts to promote human values through education, cultural dialogue, and people-to-people engagement.
The Mahaveer Awards are presented annually in the fields of Non-Violence & Vegetarianism, Education, Medicine, and Community & Social Service. Each award carries a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, along with a commendatory citation and a memento.
Founded in 1995 by Shri Sanjay Nahar, Sarhad is a social, cultural, and educational organisation dedicated to peace-building and national integration in conflict-prone border regions of India, including Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and the North-East. Through peace marches, interfaith dialogue, cultural festivals, education initiatives, and student exchange programmes, Sarhad has fostered harmony, trust, and mutual understanding among diverse communities, while also providing free education and residential support to students from conflict-affected regions.
Along with Sarhad, the other recipients of the 29th Mahaveer Awards include CORD, Himachal Pradesh for Education; Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation, Karnataka for Medicine; and Smt. Sangkhumi Bualchhuak, Mizoram, and NIRMAN, Odisha for Community & Social Service.
Commenting on the occasion, Shri Sugalchand Jain, Founder, Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, said, "Sarhad exemplifies the spirit of non-violence and human values in action. Its work demonstrates how dialogue, education, and ethical engagement can play a transformative role in society. We are pleased to honour Sarhad for its consistent efforts in promoting peace and harmony, and we hope this recognition will further strengthen its mission and inspire many others."
With the selection of the 2026 awardees, the total number of Mahaveer Award recipients has now reached 101, spanning 26 States and 2 Union Territories. Prior to this edition, 96 awardees had been honoured. Over the years, the Mahaveer Awards have been presented by eminent personalities including the President of India, Vice President of India, Governors, Chief Ministers, and Union Ministers at formal award ceremonies.
For the 29th Mahaveer Awards, 267 nominations from across the country were carefully evaluated by an eminent Selection Jury chaired by Justice Shri M. N. Venkatachaliah, Former Chief Justice of India. The Jury members included Acharya Shri Chandanaji Maharaj, Eminent Sanyasini; Dr Justice Shri D. Y. Chandrachud, Former Chief Justice of India; Shri S. Gurumurthy, Part-time Director, RBI, and Editor, Thuglak; Prof B. M. Hegde, Chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mangaluru Kendra; Shri T. S. Krishnamurthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India; Shri D. R. Mehta, I.A.S. (Retd.), Former Chairman, SEBI; Shri Prabhat Kumar, I.A.S. (Retd.), Former Cabinet Secretary, Government of India; and Justice Shri G. S. Singhvi, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
The Foundation has also invited nominations for the 30th Mahaveer Awards from individuals and institutions engaged in selfless service across the four award categories. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Foundation's website at www.bmfawards.org.
Media Contact: Ms. Samta, Coordinator, Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation @ 9003910591