Vishwas Mandalik in Nasik, Yoga Institute in Mumbai recipients of PM award

Vishwas Mandalik from Nasik and the Yoga Institute in Mumbai have been selected as the recipients of the prime minister's award for outstanding contribution for promotion and development of yoga.

The selection was done from among 186 nominations received under different categories.

Two panels were constituted -- a screening committee (for preliminary evaluation) and an evaluation committee (jury) -- so that a transparent process was followed in finalising the awards.

Nomination for the awards were invited through open advertisement.

The screening committee chaired by secretary (AYUSH) shortlisted some of the applications.

The jury chaired by the cabinet secretary, with the additional principal secretary to the prime minister, the foreign secretary, secretary (AYUSH) and some experts as members, examined the recommendations of the screening committee.

"After considering all relevant facts and other inputs, the jury recommended that the award for the current year be given to Vishwas Mandalik in Nasik (in the category Individual National) and the Yoga Institute in Mumbai (in the category Organisation National)," an official statement from AYUSH Ministry said.

The award for 2017 was won by Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune.

Vishwas Mandalik acquired knowledge of Patanjali and Hatha Yoga, Bhagwad Gita and Upnishad by study and research of ancient scriptures.

In 1978, he set up first branch of Yoga Vidya Dham, and as of today there are 160 centres in India. He established an institute called Yoga Vidhya Gurukul in 1983 for yoga education. He wrote 42 books and developed 300 CDs to cover various training courses.

The Yoga Institute, established in 1918 by Yogendraji, completed its 100 years serving the society.

It produced more than 50,000 yoga teachers and had over 500 publications to its credit.

The institute contributed to the promotion and development of holistic yoga for over 10 decades, serving all sections of the society.

The winners would be felicitated with of a trophy, certificate and a cash award each. The value of each cash award was Rs 25 lakh.