Hyderabad|India|Septembet'2009: Six NGOs including three  from Hyderabad  M.V. Foundation, Nice Foundation and Mahita  recognized for their exemplary work in the Nutrition, Education, Hygiene, Physical Environment and Psycho-Social Environment at the inaugural Lifebuoy National Child Health Symposium held  in New Delhi. 

The winners were chosen by an eminent advisory board from a pool of 119 entries received from across the country.  The award application process was facilitated by IndianNGOs.com and the award selection process was validated by IMRB.  The award winners of the Lifebuoy National Child Health Awards, across categories include:

Humana People to People India was the winner  for their  exemplary work in promoting Hygiene;  Akshaya Patra Foundation was the winner  for their exemplary work in promoting Nutrition, Food; ExNoRa International was the winner for their  exemplary work in promoting Physical Environment; Odanadi Seva Samsthe adjudged winner for their exemplary work in promoting Psychological Environment;  Saharsh was winner for their  work in promoting Education. 

In addition to these category awards,  a special award was also presented to Hyderabad M V Foundation for their outstanding work in all areas of child development.  Another city based NICE Foundation adjudged second runner up for their exemplary work in promoting Psychological Environment and Mahita, another city based NGO emerged as second runner up for their exemplary work in promoting education. 

Presenting the awards, Mr. Sudhanshu Vats, Vice President, Home Care & Skin Cleansing, Hindustan Unilever Ltd. said, “It gives us great pleasure to recognise the efforts of the NGOs who have done such wonderful work. Their attempt to make a difference to the quality of life of the children they touch is truly commendable. Our attempt is to bring forth these different areas of excellence onto one platform, the Lifebuoy National Child Health Awards”

The awards were part of a just concluded one-day national symposium organized  by Lifebuoy, India’s leading health and hygiene soap brand from Hindustan Unilever.  The symposium was inaugurated by Ms K Sujatha Rao, The Secretary, Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  and Director General NACO, Govt. of India and Mr. Nitin Paranjpe, CEO,  Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

More than 100 professionals, including academics and representatives from leading NGOs such as Care India, Navjyoti Foundation, USAID and WASH among others participated in the symposium. They deliberated on the various interventions required in each of the five focus areas. The symposium ended with a Recommendation Group on each subject drawing up conclusions and putting forth suggestions for parents, schools, community and the government.  The various Recommendation Groups unanimously endorsed the need for strengthening early childhood programmes and research as an effective means to improve child health.