The Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) has been awarded the prestigious Mahatma Award 2024 for its significant contributions to social welfare and women empowerment.
This recognition is a testament to AWWA's unwavering dedication to uplifting the families of Indian Army personnel and its extensive work towards fostering positive social change.
The Mahatma Award, inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, honours individuals and organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to social responsibility and community service. The award holds a distinguished place in recognising impactful initiatives that promote sustainability, inclusivity, and the betterment of society, embodying Gandhi’s values of compassion, equality, and non-violence.
For decades, AWWA has been a beacon of support for the families of soldiers, particularly focusing on women empowerment through its numerous welfare initiatives. AWWA’s initiatives are guided by its five key focus areas or KRAs, which underpin its wide-ranging activities. These KRAs include: outreach to Veer Naris, widows, and next of kin (NOK) to help them assimilate into society; empowering all army families by fostering a sense of belonging and ownership within the organisation; increasing the happiness index of the military ecosystem by meeting the aspirations of families and serving personnel alike; a Right to Responsibility (R2R) approach that expands AWWA's work from welfare to creating awareness about individual responsibilities towards the organisation; and, finally, leveraging technology for transformative impact in empowering communities.
Through its various programs, AWWA offers educational scholarships, vocational training, and employment opportunities, paving the way for self-reliance and empowerment among army wives and widows. The association’s focus on creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and skill development ensures that the women it supports are equipped with the means to build sustainable livelihoods.
This recognition through the Mahatma Award not only acknowledges AWWA’s tireless efforts but also reinforces its enduring legacy of service to the Indian Army community and its broader role in societal upliftment. AWWA’s work, rooted in compassion, empowerment, and social responsibility, continues to make a profound impact, inspiring change and hope in the lives of those it touches.
About the Award: The Mahatma Award, conceived to honour the principles and values of Mahatma Gandhi, recognises individuals and organisations that demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, and impactful community service. The award was founded by Amit Sachdeva, a renowned philanthropist and social entrepreneur known for his work in advocating for the CSR Bill of 2013, as well as his contributions to numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) globally. This recognition is supported by various stakeholders who share a commitment to social good, and though not named here, their contributions reflect a shared vision of empowering change-makers. The Mahatma Award brings together philanthropists and leaders in the space of social welfare, exemplifying the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of compassion, equality, and service to society.