54 students from across the country awarded the MATE Excellence Award

New Delhi:  The Mental Health Foundation of India, in collaboration with the Unsung India Foundation, proudly hosted the inaugural MATE Excellence Award for Young Changemakers at the AIIMS Auditorium, New Delhi. This first-of-its-kind initiative celebrated school students from across India for their holistic development and impactful contributions beyond academics.

Applications were received from nearly 40 schools across diverse regions, including Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana. A total of 54 exceptional students were recognized under various categories such as Creative Intelligence, Digital Intelligence, Young Innovator, Young Entrepreneur, Artistic Entrepreneur, Emotional Intelligence, and Cross-Cultural Intelligence, among others.

What set this award apart was its non-competitive, document-based selection process. Rather than relying on scores, students were evaluated through five referral documents supporting their work, ensuring authenticity, impact, and a values-driven approach.

The ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries including Dr. Kushal Verma (Dean, AIIMS), Shri Sushil Kumar, IAS (Retd), Mr. Rajesh Bhushan, and Dr. Nand Kumar (Professor, Psychiatry, AIIMS). Inspirational speakers from across the country enriched the event, including **Shibananda Dash (Punjab), the Helmet Man of India (Delhi NCR), Dr. Fayaz (Delhi NCR), Radha Sharma (Chennai), Kuldeep Vedhwan (Jammu), and Padma Othsal (Ladakh).

The event concluded on a high note with a soulful musical performance by the Luyangs from Ladakh, who captivated the audience with traditional folk and Bollywood songs, leaving behind a powerful message of unity, culture, and youthful excellence.