Navyug Palghar Weekly
**Jawhar Tribal Development Project Receives Highest National Honour in the Presence of the President*
*Dr. Apoorva Basur Conferred with the “National Best Project Officer” Award**
The Jawhar Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) in Palghar district has earned national recognition for its outstanding contribution to tribal development by receiving the prestigious “Best Performing Integrated Tribal Development Project” award from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
Adding to this achievement,
Dr. Apoorva Basur (IAS), Project Officer of ITDP Jawhar, was honoured with the “National Best Project Officer” award. This marks a double distinction for Palghar district and the Tribal Development Department of Maharashtra.
On behalf of the Jawhar ITDP, Project Officer Dr. Apoorva Basur, Assistant Project Officer Machhindra Gadakh, and Planning Officer Satish Raste received the awards. Each award carried a cash prize of ₹5 lakh.
The awards were presented during the National Conference on “Strengthening Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDPs)” held on June 3 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The honours were conferred in the presence of the President of India, Draupadi Murmu.
The ceremony was attended by Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Manish Thakur, Additional Secretary; Ashok Lahiri, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog; and senior officials from across the country.
Award Criteria:
National Recognition for Innovative Initiatives
Under the leadership of Dr. Apoorva Basur, the Jawhar Integrated Tribal Development Project has implemented several innovative and impactful initiatives over the past few years. These efforts have brought significant improvements in education, mental health, sustainable development, and career opportunities for tribal students, earning recognition at the national level.
One of the most widely appreciated initiatives was an educational exposure visit to Bengaluru for 200 tribal students. For many of them, it was their first experience of air travel. Visits to scientific institutions, technology centres, administrative establishments, and educational institutions broadened their horizons and inspired confidence and interest in careers related to public service, science, defence, and emerging fields.
A New Boost to Educational Excellence
Special academic guidance programmes (Academic Crash Courses) were organised for students appearing for Class 10 and Class 12 examinations. A total of 1,745 students benefited from these courses. The initiative contributed significantly to improving academic performance and increasing examination success rates.
Innovative Focus on Mental Health
Recognising the importance of students’ mental well-being, the project introduced a unique mental health programme based on laughter, counselling, and interactive engagement, popularly known as the “Clown Show Mental Health Programme.” Approximately 18,000 students from 20 Ashram Schools benefited from the initiative. Through counselling, entertainment, and meaningful interaction, the programme successfully helped reduce fear, anxiety, hesitation, and psychological stress among students.
Green Schools: A Model for Sustainable Education
The Jawhar Integrated Tribal Development Project implemented the “Green Schools Initiative” by installing solar power systems in 20 government Ashram Schools. More than 12,500 students benefited from this environmentally sustainable initiative. It significantly reduced electricity expenses—bringing them close to zero—while also fostering awareness and responsibility towards environmental conservation among students.
A Model for the Nation
While evaluating the project, the National Assessment Committee particularly appreciated its innovation, effective implementation, convergence of resources across departments, and measurable outcomes. Several initiatives developed under the Jawhar ITDP are now expected to serve as model practices for tribal development projects across Maharashtra and other parts of India.
“This Honour Belongs to the Entire Team”
After receiving the award, Dr. Apoorva Basur said:
“This award is not mine alone; it belongs to the entire ITDP Jawhar team, our teachers, field staff, and the tribal community. Our mission is to provide tribal students with quality education, the courage to dream big, and opportunities to achieve those dreams. This recognition will inspire us to work with even greater commitment and dedication in the years ahead.”
