Yudhvir Memorial Award Presentation to Saina Nehwal

Yudhvir Foundation Twenty Second Annual Award Citation

Starting with Karate at the age of six, Saina Nehwal changed course and rose to become the youngest player in the world to win a four-star tournament in badminton. Her foray into the world of badminton was influenced by her father, Dr. Harvir Singh and mother Usha Nehwal, both of whom were state badminton champions.

As an under-19 national champion. Saina was the first player to win the prestigious Asian Satellite Badminton tournament (India Chapter) twice, thus setting the first of many records to come. Famously known as The Dragon Slayer' for defeating the best Chinese badminton players, she is also the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships in 2008. With two monumental wins at the Super-Series tournaments in 2009 and 2010 she rose to No. 2 spot in the world rankings. Saina won the 2010 Commonwealth Games and is supported by the Olympic Gold Quest. Saina went on to win Bronze for India at London Olympics 2012 and in the same year, lifted her first Denmark Open trophy. Saina has entered her name in the international; hall of fame by sheer hard work, devotion and unflagging commitment. In that effort, the sacrifices made by her parents, Dr. Harvir Singh and Usha deserve to be acknowledged. The training imparted by Pullela Gopichand. and her mentor. the Indonesian badminton legend Atik Jauhari have been crucial in making her a champion.

Saina's achievements have already been acknowledged world —wide. The Government of India conferred on her the Arjuna Award, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and the Padma Shri.

Saina has given recognition to the game of badminton for women and has blazed a trail of unmatched glory across the field of Indian sports. For the modern woman all over the world, and in India in particular. she has become an example to admire, cherish and to emulate. The Trustees of the Yudhvir foundation feel very happy to add their bit to her tally of honours and wish her greater glories and continued happiness in life.

Late Shri Yudhvir : Late Shri Yudhvir was born in 1921 at Lahore, (now in Pakistan). He was a freedom fighter, a social worker and a reknowned journalist. He was imprisoned for his political activities many times. He came to Hyderabad in 1949 and started Daily Milap first in Urdu and later in Hindi. He passed away on 1st February 1991.

His wife Smt. Seeta Yudhvir was also a freedom fighter, social worker. Their marriage was settled while he was in jail. She served as a member of Rajya Sabha for two terms. She wrote a biographical book - 'Zindagi ke aaine mein Yudhvir' about her husband and his idealism. She passed away on 10th January. 1994.

The Foundation : The Yudhvir Foundation was set up on 10th April, 1991 to commemorate the life of work of kite Yudhvir. The main aim of the Foundation is to propagate his noble ideals and to honour those who contribute to national integration, social service and service in any field of human endeavour.

The following are the trustees of the Foundation :
Narendra Luther (Chairman),
Dr. Bajranglal Gupta
Zahed Ali Khan
Pritam Singh
Dr. Muralidhar Gupta
Vinay Vir (Secretary)

The Award : An annual award function is held on 30th April, the birthday of late Shri Yudhvir. The award consists of a citation & a cash amount of Rs. 50,000/-.

An annual memorial lecture is also organized on the occasion. So far lectures have been delivered by Shri I.K. Gujral, Shri Krishna Kant, Shri Khushwant Singh, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, Shri B.P.R. Vithal, Dr. U.R. Rao, Smt. Ivhmjari Sinha, Di. Soma Raju, Dr. K. Anji Reddy. Shri Ramoji Rao. Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Pandit Jasraj, Narendra Rai Srivastav, Shri Raj Bahadur Gour & Smt. Kamla & Shri Jagdish Mit/al, Shri Shankar S. Melkote, Shri Shyam Senegal. Shark Subhani. Dr. A. Saibaba goud and Prof. Shantha

Two Gold Medals:
Apart from the main annual award and the lecture, in order to promote educational, cultural and physical activities amongst the students. A • Yudhvir Gold Medal has been instituted at the Osmania University for the best student of Master in Communication & Journalism, every year from 1992-93 onwards.

The Foundation also awards a 'Yudhvir Gold Medal' to the best student of Mother Krishna Ku School of Nursing. Musheerabad, Hyderabad. every year.