Pujya Bhaishri believes that those who have made extraordinary contributions to the society and achieved distinctions in various spheres of life must be duly recognised and respected. This also encourages others to do similar work. Every year, since 1996, Sandipani Gaurav Awards are conferred to such persons at Sandipani.
Sandipani Gaurav Awards
Three types of awards are conferred:
- Brahmarshi Award – given to the scholar who has done outstanding work in the field of Vedic literature.
- Devarshi Award – given to the saint who has devoted oneself for the enrichment of society and spiritual teachings.
- Rajarshi Award – exceptional business people who have generously provided financial support for the advancement of society.
Pujya Morari Bapu in the Gaurav Awards in 2013 said, “According to me, ‘award’ is just a word we have to use. As a matter of fact, we gain an opportunity to worship such personalities. Brahmarshi is one who tries to understand the Supreme Truth; Rajarshi is one who is enthused to spread knowledge and Devarshi is one who spreads one’s love through service.”
Sandipani Gaurav Awards 2017
The respected individuals who have been awarded so far are listed below:
|
Year |
Devarshi Award |
Bhramarshi Award |
Rajarshi Award |
| 2017 | Shri Natvarbhai Desai | Shri Vijayshankarji Pandya | Shri Bajranglal Tapariaji, Mumbai |
| 2016 | Dr. Vasant Parikh, Amreli | Mahant Durgadas Maharaj, Surendranagar | Shri Navinbhai Dave, Mumbai |
| 2015 | Late Shri Narayan Bapu who inspired Narayan Eye Hospital, Tajpura | Dr. Narayan Kansara, Ahmedabad | Shri Tansukhbhai Ganatra, USA |
| 2014 | Pujya Mahant Shri Shambhunath ji Maharaj Zanzarka, Ahmedabad | Shri Sureshchandra Ambalal Upadhyay, Mumbai | Shri Lalchand bhai Gandhi, Mumbai |
| 2013 | Kuberacharya Pujya Shri Avichaldasji Maharaj, Anand | Dr. Shri Harshdev Madhav, Ahmedabad | Sheth Shri Balvantrai Kalyanji Patel, Mumbai |
| 2012 | Bhramalin Pujya Bhartimaiya Ganubhai, Ambikaniketan, Surat | Dr. Jayprakash Narayan Dwivedi, Dwarka | Shri Damjibhai Anchorwala, Mumbai |
| 2011 | Shri Manav Parivar running Shri Baldevdas Charitable Trust | Dr. Govindlal Shankarlal Shah, Ahmedabad. | Shri Nemjibhai Karanshibhai Gangar, Mumbai |
| 2010 | Shri Himmatbhai Jagjivanbapu Sevashram | Shri Shantilal Joshi, Nadiyad | Shri Arvindbhai Tejani, Surat |
| 2009 | Pujya Shri Rameshwardasji Maharaj | Dr. Gautam Vadilal Patel, Ahmedabad | Shri Sevantilal Premchand Shah, Surat |
| 2008 | Pujya Shri Manjibhai Patel, Bagdana | Pujya Janardan Jayantilal Dave, Bhavnagar | Shri Govindbhai Laljibhai Dholakiya, Surat |
| 2007 | Pujya Shri Muktanand Bapu ji, Champarda | Pujya Shri Keshavlal Vithalji Shastri, Rajkot | Shri Nenshibhai Laghabhai Shah, Mumbai |
| 2006 | Pujya Jankidasji Bapu, Kamijala | Pujya Shri Narmadashankar Hargovind Shastri, Virar, Mumbai | Dr. Virambhai Godhaniya, Porbandar |
| 2005 | Pujya Swami Shri Asiamanandji Maharaj, Dang Adva | Dr. Jayantilal Karunashankar Bhatt, Vadodara | Shri Mathurbhai Savani |
| 2004 | Pujya Shri Vaja Bhagat Ram, Kothariya | Pujya Shri Jayanand Dave, Mumbai | Shri Mathurbhai Savani, Ahmedabad |
| 2003 | Pujya Mahant Shri Jagdishdasji Shastri, Jamnagar | Pujya Shri Navnitpriya Shastriji, Nadiyad | Shri Odhavji Ramji Patel, Rajkot |
| 2002 | Pujya Shastri Swami Shri Madhavpriyadasji Charodi, Rajkot | Pujya Shri Mahamahopadhyay, Prof. Jayantkrishna H. Dave, Mumbai | Shri Deepchand Savrad Gardi, Mumbai |
| 2001 | Shri Anumben Thakkar, Vadodara | Pujya Dr. Lakshmesh V. Joshi, Ahmedabad | Shri Kapurbhai Chandaria, NRI |
| 2000 | Pujya Mahant Shri Devprasad ji Maharaj, Jamnagar | Pujya Shri Dahyabhai Shastri, Nadiyad | Dr. Mohanbhai Patel, Mumbai |
| 1999 | Pujya Shri Narayandas ji Maharaj, Nadiyad | Dr. Bhagavatiprasad Pandya, Mumbai | Shri Karamshibhai Jethabhai Somaiya, Mumbai |
| 1998 | Pujya Dongreji Shivanand Adhvaryu, Vaghnagal | Pujya Shri Bhaishankar bhai Purohit, Mumbai | Shri Mafatlal Mehta, Mumbai |
| 1997 | Pujya Karsandas Bapu Pirana, Ahmedabad | Pujya Acharya Shri Vishnudev Pandit, Pardi | Shri Arvindbhai Mafatlal, Mumbai |
| 1996 | Pujya Shri Chidanand Saraswati ji (Pujya Muniji), Rishikesh | Pujya Shri K. Ka Shastru, Ahmedabad | Shri Manubhai Madhvani, Africa/UK |
Brahmarshi Award being given by Pujya Bhaishri, Pujya Avdheshanandji, Pujya Morari to Shri Jaiprakash Narayan Dwivedi from Dwarka, Gujarat during Sandipani Gaurav Awards
Devarshi Award being given by Shri Kutumbakam Shastriji, Pujya Bhaishri, Pujya Guru Sharnanandji Maharaj, Pujya Devprasad Bapu, Pujya Swami Parmatmanandji Munjka to Mahant Shri Shambhunathji Maharaj from Zanzarka during Sandipani Gaurav Awards 2014
Special Gaurav Award presented to Dr. Hargovind Laxmishankar Trivedi
Special Gaurav Award
In 2015, a special Gaurav Award was also presented to Dr. Hargovind Laxmishankar Trivedi, who after graduating with a medical degree from B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, researched in nephrology, a kidney related disease, at the research centre at the University of Canada. He returned to India and provided kidney transplants to people at reasonable cost. He has successfully carried out about 400 kidney transplant surgeries thus far.
Sandipani Nari Gaurav Award
In 2015, A Sandipani Nari (Women’s) award was presented to Nirmalaben Chaganlal Raval who runs an institution providing free education to 350 girls.
Sandipani Nari Award being given to Nirmalaben Chaganlal Raval
New Award – Maharshi Award
From 2016, a new award category has been added called Maharshi Award which was presented to the late Shri Purnimaben Pakvasa.
‘Normally, people have to apply or get nominated for gaurav awards. however, there are certain people who quietly serve the society spreading their goodwill and spirit of service for the benefit of humanity. they do not care of any recognition of their contributions to the society. hence we take the initiative to reach such selfless people and by honouring them, we feel honoured in the process rather than enhancing their reputation. god has been very graceful to us by providing us with the opportunity to honour such selfless people.’ – Pujya Bhaishri