Thirty-six school students were conferred the first Tiranga Badge Awards here for their contributions in the field of social service.
The awards, instituted by the Flag Foundation of India, were given to students in the age group of 12-20 who have contributed to the welfare of schools, colleges, society, city or the country.
Among the awardees were a group of students from Modern School, who collected and sold old newspapers and scrap and used the money to buy vegetable carts for the unemployed. Aashna Aggarwal and her friends carried out this activity under the Golden Waste initiative.
Also awarded were the students of St. Mark's Senior Secondary School. They helped women from economically weaker sections become self-reliant by making hand bags and cushion covers under an ongoing project called Nirmaan.
The final 36 students, student groups and schools were shortlisted from over 40 entries received from various schools across the city.
"We need to encourage youngsters who are doing exemplary work in the field of social welfare. The Tiranga Badge Awards will provide educational institutions the opportunity to nominate students working in this field and recognise the work done by them," said National Bal Bhavan chairperson Shallu Jindal, who adjudged the entries.
The awards intend to encourage students to realise and learn the importance of service and sacrifice and teach them to help others without expecting anything in return.