INDIAN FELICITATED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL HONOUR OF PRINCE’S PRIZE 2015

INDIAN FELICITATED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL HONOUR OF

PRINCE’S PRIZE 2015

NEW DELHI, 19^thFebruary, 2015: YUVA Unstoppable, a non-profit organization founded by Mr. Amitabh Shah, was accredited with the honour of 2015 Prince's Prize for Innovative Philanthropy at the Yacht Club de Monaco on the republic day 26^th Jan’ 2015. YUVA Unstoppable, based in Ahmedabad, aims to inspire kindness amongst the youth by encouraging them to volunteer for two hours a week towards a cause of their choice at their convenient best.

YUVA volunteers and its partner corporations improve school infrastructure, spread digital literacy, and create traffic awareness and cleanliness campaigns across the country. Started as a small group of enthusiastic individuals, in the last nine years they have mobilized over 120,000 young people across 30 cities to give 2 hours a week, benefitting more than 240,000 children. With a vision of spreading smiles and kindness for the welfare of the less privileged, Yuva Unstoppable inspires every youth to spare sometime of their life towards serving others, spreading happiness and extending love to all.

Receiving this honor was a moment of pride for the country. The team had to compete with the two remarkable organizations also working towards the betterment of the world – Seacology that protects islands and has been accredited to have worked with more than 200 villages on 151 islands in 53 countries, helping to protect more than one million acres of some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems; and Mr. Jack Ma from Alibaba (The wealthiest man of China) who has contributed much of his per­sonal wealth into the creation of one of Asia’s largest philanthropic trusts.

Delighted to accept the award, Mr. Amitabh Shah, Founder, YUVA Unstoppable said “When I first thought of incepting YUVA, I just had a noble thought in mind to help the less privileged. With the immense support of a fabulous and like-minded team and numerous volunteers and their commendable efforts, it is a proud moment for us that YUVA is today being acknowledged with an international honour.  I dedicate this award to people of India, to 120000 volunteers who have empowered less privileged children, to 240000 children who gave us an opportunity to spread kindness, to Yale University from where a colleague nominated me, all the top corporates and celebrities who pushed us forward.  We believe in the power of youth and I urge every Indian to contribute 2 hours in a week towards any act of kindness and I am sure together, we will bring revolution of Kindness across the country.”

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco highlighted that “YUVA Unstoppable’s commitment to mobilize young people to stand up and play an active role in poverty reduction is inspiring. Their innovative approach to social change through digital education programmes and cross-sector partnerships demonstrates the importance of collaboration between civil society, industry and governments to achieve sustainable models of development”.

Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville Founder, Tocqueville Foundation said, “We were particularly impressed with the work of YUVA Unstoppable and the leadership of Amitabh Shah for their innovative approach to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable of the Indian population and their leadership-training program for underprivileged children to try and reach a sustainable improvement of their conditions. Their approach through cross-sector partnerships demonstrates the importance of collaboration between civil society, industry and governments to achieve sustainable models of development.

In addition to the work Amitabh is doing, we recognized immediately his strong ability to inspire others and hope that this recognition will allow YUVA to continue to grow and inspire others across India. We very much appreciated that he defines himself as Chief Inspiration Officer because he inspires kindness. He embodies what Gandhi is known for saying, ‘Be the change that you wish to see in the world.’ Having had the opportunity to meet and get to know Amitabh at the Prince’s Roundtable in January, I am even more impressed with him as an individual, and we are incredibly proud for him to act as an ambassador for the Prince’s Prize.”

YUVA has gained immense support from communities across the globe.  Apart from corporates like Adani, Microsoft, Torrent, Intel, Riddhi Siddhi, Kotak, Binani, HDFC Gruh, Ratnamani, The Grand Bhagwati, Coca-Cola, KPMG, Amul and many others; dignitaries such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Actor Amitabh Bachchan, Director R Balki, Actor Varun Dhawan, Athlete PT Usha, Former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Chief Minister of Gujarat Anandiben Patel, Author Chetan Bhagat, Actor Varun Dhawan, Cricketers Irfan Pathan, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Spiritual leader Deepak Chopra have participated either by inspiring volunteers, providing resources, coming to grassroots or to help evolve strategies to spread kindness.  With there support we shall continue to take the 2 hours a week concept nationally.