Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 13: Kiran Wattal, the convenor of Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj (VKS), was honored with the prestigious Bharat Shreshtha Sewa Sanstha Puraskar by the Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya during a distinguished ceremony in Gurugram.
This recognition was conferred upon him by the Utsav Foundation for his remarkable contributions to society as the VKS convenor.
The event also acknowledged several other esteemed individuals and organizations, including US-based Concentrix BM, DLF Cares Foundation, Arindam Foundation, Roop Automotive Ltd, Canara HSBC, Joyson Safety System, and Selify with the Daughter Foundation.
The ceremony was graced by top Haryana Government officials, along with prominent personalities from the State, including Raj Nehru, President of the Utsav Foundation, as well as Vice-President Pankaj Dhar and Treasurer Virender Thakur.
Dheera Khandelwal, C K Gariyal, Hanif Qureshi, Shiv Prasad Sharma, Sujata Shahi, Venkatesh Balasubramanian were among the advisory and mentor board members of the Utsav Foundation in attendance.
Kiran Wattal is not only a philanthropist but also actively involved with various social organizations in Jammu and Kashmir. He leads the Shri Amarnathji Yatra Welfare Society (SAYWS), which organizes free langar for Baba Amarnath devotees visiting the region during the pilgrimage.
His contributions extend to the promotion of sports in J&K, resulting in the region winning over 1,000 medals in gymnastics under his leadership. Wattal has also been at the forefront of highlighting the challenges faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community through VKS, an organization dedicated to their welfare.
VKS has organized medical camps with renowned doctors, revived traditions, and collaborated with other organizations for the well-being of the community.
Additionally, it has facilitated the smooth conduct of the Mata Kheer Bhawani Ji Yatra, bridging the gap between the government and the Kashmiri Pandit community.
In 2020, VKS organized a grand sports carnival for the Kashmiri Migrants Camp at Jagti, with over 400 boys and girls participating in various sports. The organization also conducts awareness programs on issues like dowry, drug addiction, and skill development.