Humanitarian, freedom fighter, philanthropist, social reformer and a devoted Mahatma Gandhi follower, Jamnalal Bajaj came in contact with Gandhiji for the first time in 1915. Bapu's simplicity etched itself so deeply in Jamnalal's mind that he radically changed his own and the family's lifestyle. Gandhiji adopted him as his fifth son. Jamnalal went on to take an active part in the Indian freedom struggle, but his forte was constructive work propounded by Gandhi. He also undertook pioneering work in the field of Go-seva (Cow protection), empowerment of the 'dalits' or the downtrodden, education of women, propagation of Hindi, spread of Khadi (hand spun and hand woven cloth) and the development of khadi and village industries.
The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation was established in 1977, in the memory of
Jamnalal Bajaj. It was inaugurated
on 4th November, 1977 by Shri Morarji Desai, Prime Minister of India.
For Shri Morarji Desai, it was a time for remembering the past with
fondness and nostalgia. He blessed the foundation for what it set out to
do for the spread of philanthropy and promotion of Gandhian philosophy,
values and constructive work.The foundation strives to serve the ideals of Jamnalal Bajaj, to which he had dedicated his life, and promotes the kind of Gandhian constructive activities, in India and overseas, in which he himself was deeply involved during his life-time. The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, over the years, has been respected as a noble establishment in areas of developing the socio economic arena in our country. The relevance of Jamnalal Bajaj’s principles and practices has grown over time. His vision has stood as a beacon for generation that followed.
Focusing on these very practices and to encourage and recognize the outstanding contributions of the people who have worked unstintingly in the interest of the nation and its people, the four Jamnalal Bajaj Awards were instituted by the foundation, under the following categories:
- Award for outstanding contribution in the field of Constructive Work - 1978
- Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development - 1978
- Award for outstanding contribution for the Development and Welfare of Women and Children (Instituted in memory of Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj) - 1980
- International Award for Promoting Gandhian values outside India. (This Award is presented to an individual of foreign nationality) - 1988
The International Award was instituted in 1988 to commemorate the birth centenary of Jamnalal Bajaj.
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