Hyderabad: Kakatiya University research scholar and social activist Mohammed Azam has been selected for the National Best Youth Award for the year 2017-18.
It is the highest award given to the youth by the ministry of sports and youth affairs, the government of India, for those who rendered outstanding service in the field of social service for the age group of 18-29, said Kakatiya University NSS coordinator Dr S Jyothi in a press note.
According to Mohammed Azam, the 2017-18 and 2018-19 awards got delayed due to the Lok Sabha elections and later the COVID-19 pandemic; the awards were announced yesterday on July 29.
Mohammed Azam who hails from Mankammatota, Karimnagar district is pursuing a PhD in English literature from Kakatiya University, under the guidance of Professor R Meghana Rao.
He has been taking part in social service activities for the past eight years and has conducted several social awareness programs such as blood donation and organ donation. Under Haritha Haram, he has organized plantation programs, water conservation, and construction of soaking pits, and, has contributed to the Swachh Bharat mission.
In addition to government welfare schemes for the benefit of the people in various villages, Azam has conducted various motivational sessions for social and tribal welfare in residential schools and colleges, where he conducted life skills sessions such as soft skills, youth leadership training, personality development, and improvement of English language skills.
Azam said that it was a privilege to be the only nominee from the Telugu states for the award. The award will be presented at the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on August 12 on the occasion of International Youth Day.
Kakatiya University vice-chancellor professor Thatikonda Ramesh, registrar Mallikarjuna Reddy, English department professor Purushottam, professor Rajeshwar, professor Lata, Dr. Deepa Jyoti, Dr. Meghnarao, Nirmala and other research students appreciated Azam on being selected for the award.