Chandigarh: YouVAH -Youth for Voluntary Action in Himachal, a NGO based in Himachal Pradesh has been conferred the *“Social Impact Award 2025”* for its exemplary relief and service efforts during the recent disaster in the state. The honour was presented during a two-day workshop on “Environment and Youth” held at Panjab University on December 20–21, 2025, focusing on promoting climate adaptation and mitigation through NGO leadership.
The workshop was organized under the joint auspices of the Association of Professional Social Workers & Development Practitioners (APSWDP), Vishva Yuvak Kendra, and the Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University. The award was jointly presented by Shri Kamal Kishore Yadav, IAS, Secretary, Department of Industries, Government of Punjab, Dr. Rajan Welukar, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai, and Dr. Vivek Trivedi, Founder, APSWDP.
Receiving the award on behalf of YouVAH NGO were Co-founders *Sudhanshu Thakur* and *Lalit Kumar Dogra, along with Coordinator **Rita, Joint Secretary **Moti Lal, and Spokespersons **Aarti* and *Jyoti*.
State Media Coordinator *Thakur Dixit Dhalaria* informed that the NGO had recently conducted the *“Ummeed Himachal Abhiyan”*, a campaign to support disaster-affected and needy communities across the region. Under this initiative, financial and material assistance worth several lakh rupees was extended in multiple forms to affected families, which significantly contributed to the organization being selected for this award. He emphasized that this recognition belongs not only to the members of the NGO but also to all partners and supporters whose cooperation made these service efforts possible.
Yuva NGO has been consistently engaged throughout the year in awareness drives, relief campaigns, and creative community programs aimed at bringing about positive social change in Himachal Pradesh. State President *Kashmir Singh* credited this achievement to the dedication and hard work of every member of the organization.
At the valedictory session of the workshop, YouVAH NGO also signed a *Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)* with APSWDP to ensure continued collaboration in future programmes and joint initiatives.
On this occasion, members *Sudhanshu Thakur, **Lalit Dogra, **Aarti Sharma, **Ritu, **Jyoti, and **Moti Lal* were prominently present.
