Udaipur, June 2, 2024: The "Sajeev Seva Samiti" will present the 25th Maharana Pratap Award to retired IAS Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary Mr. P. N. Bhandari on June 8, 2024, on the eve of Maharana Pratap Jayanti. The committee's General Secretary, Shantilal Bhandari, announced that after thorough deliberation on five recommended names, the executive committee unanimously approved the name of Mr. P. N. Bhandari. This award has been given since 1994 to individuals whose programs have directly or indirectly benefited society. The first recipients of this honor were Manishi Pandit Janardan Rai Nagar and Brijraj Singh Chauhan.
Committee's media in-charge, Professor Vimal Sharma, stated that Sajeev Seva Sansthan was established as a voluntary organization. Its primary objective is to work with the families residing near Haldighati, belonging to the tribal and economically weaker sections, whose ancestors fought alongside Maharana Pratap in the Battle of Haldighati, protecting his pride. From 1986, for nearly 20 years, the "Pratap Smriti Paryavaran Chetna Padyatra" continued from Udaipur to Haldighati. Countless distinguished and common people from the city and nearby villages participated in this march, embedding Maharana Pratap's work and ideals in the minds of the people, venerating him as a revered folk hero. The "Pratap Smriti Van" developed on a hill by the Forest Department in Shahibagh (Haldighati) is a result of this march. It is noteworthy that "Sajeev Seva Samiti" is the only organization honored to give an award in the name of Pratap. This year's 25th award will be presented on June 8, 2024, at the Vigyan Samiti.