The “Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony 2025” was organized by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The awards honor individuals and organizations for their remarkable contributions to animal welfare and protection. The event aims to promote kindness and compassion towards animals and raise awareness about humane treatment.
Prani Mitra Awards 2025
The Prani Mitra Awards, originally introduced in 1966, were expanded to recognize organizations as well. Since its inception, 54 individuals have received this prestigious award for their outstanding services in animal welfare.
Awardees Under Five Categories:
- Advocacy (Individual): Shri Akhil Jain, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- Innovative Idea (Individual): Shri Ramesh Bhai Veljibhai Ruparelia, Gondal, Gujarat
- Lifetime Animal Service (Individual): Shri Harnarayan Soni, Osiyan, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
- Animal Welfare Organisation (AWO): Sri Sri 1008 Sriram Ratandasji Vaishanav Go Sewa Samiti, Karahdham, Morena, Madhya Pradesh
- Corporate/PSUs/Government Bodies/Cooperatives: Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, Jamnagar, Gujarat
Jeev Daya Awards 2025
The Jeev Daya Awards were instituted in 2001 to recognize the efforts of animal lovers, welfare organizations, and educational institutions. Since then, 12 individuals and organizations have received this recognition for their dedication to animal welfare.
Awardees Under Three Categories:
- Individual: Ms. Nisha Subramanian Kunju, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Animal Welfare Organization: Bhagwan Mahavir Pashu Raksha Kendra, Kutch, Gujarat
- Schools/Institutions/Teachers/Children (Below 18 Years): Master Chaitanya M Saxena, Jaipur, Rajasthan; Master Aadi Shah, Mumbai, Maharashtra
About the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)
- Established: Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960
- Under: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India
- Purpose: Ensuring animal welfare laws are enforced and promoting grants for Animal Welfare Organizations (AWOs)
- It is a statutory boy.
- Key Responsibilities: Advising the government on animal welfare policies, Enforcing animal welfare laws, Providing grants to AWOs
- Structure: 28 Members, including 6 Members of Parliament (2 from Rajya Sabha and 4 from Lok Sabha)
- Term: Members serve for 3 years