The International Longevity Centre-India celebrated its annual event the ILC-I Awards ceremony this year on 12^th December 2025 at Pune. 

The programme was held at the New Law College Auditotium of Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University on Paud Road, Erandawane, Pune.

 The Chief Guest of the programme was Prof. Dr. Shivajirao Kadam, Chancellor of the Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University.

These awards include the Late B.G. Deshmukh Awards for Excellence in Promoting Qualitative Ageing for senior citizens’ organisations  as well as Lfetime Achievement awards for the individuals over the age of 70 years.

The second award is the Late Dr. S.D. Gokhale Award given to a journalist for advocting the cause of the aged population through the print and/or social media . 

The above two categories of awards are instituted by ILC-I in the names of the late Dr. S. D. Gokhale who is the Founder-President of ILC-I  and the late Mr. B. G. Deshmukh,  the first Vice President of ILC-I.

These awards also include a national award – the Anjani Mashelkar Inspiration Award to felicitate an older woman over the age of 60 years who has gone through hardships in life and has overcome them and dedicated her life to the betterment of the society, and in the process,  becoming a source of inspiration for other women to follow!

This Award has been instituted by the President of ILC-I,  Dr. R. A. Mashelkar,  in memory of his late mother , Smt. Anjani Mashelkar,  who too had struggled in life to raise her son, and who today, is an internationally renowned scientist and has been honoured with several doctorates and awards , including the prestigious second highest civilian award of India,  the Padma Vibhushan Award!

Th award winners of this year for the Late B.G. Deshmukh Award for the senior citizens ‘ organisations are:

1) Jyeshtha Nagarik Sangha Chiplun,  Chiplun,  runs various programmes for the elderly  like  Virangula Kendra for the elders as well as cultural programmes run throughout the year, arranging medical camps the  elders and medical  consultations by Consultants  as well as consultations from police personnel. Investing of money in banks and giving donations every year to the needy students for further studies as well as donations given to the organisations working for the backward class.

2) Kinara Vruddha ani Mati Manda Trust, Kamshet, Pune, provides shelter for the elderly male and female mentally challenged and destitute individuals dementia patients, elderly persons left on Railway/Bus stations   who are abandoned by the family or brought the the Police. The   old age home offers supportive and peaceful environment where residents receive personalized care, medical attention and opportunities to engage. This institute works also in Maval Taluka for the Adivasis giving them medical care, medicines  and counselling.  This institution takes care of their food, shelter, medical care etc.

3) Laketown Jyestha Nagarik Sangha, Pune, is one of the biggest sangha who has 383 members and 115 lifetime members. This sangha works in the sector of Health, Conservation of Environment, natural calamities by giving  donations in the form of food, clothes, monetary help etc. to farmers as well as monetary support given to Baba Amte Ashram.

The award winners of the  Life time Achievement Awards  (Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar) were Mr.V.V. Kulkarni, Pune, after retiring from the Bank he fullly devoted his life to  the well- being of elderly  in the fields of mental and family health of the elderly population through Association of Senior Citizens Organization of Pune (ASCOP). 

1) Mr. Chandrakant Kashinath Mahamuni, Pune,  after retiring started working for the betterment of elderly under the wing of Federation of  Senior Citizens of Maharashtra (FESCOM) as  Secretary and promoted to the post of President for your Outstanding and remarkable work I the field of population ageing.  

2) Mr. Suresh Baburao Palkar, Mandgaon Raigad, Retired Principal from Goregaon and well known as “Sir” . You molded may students wo are today working as Teachers and various other  Private and  like Government Sectors. He also undertook struggle for justice of Teachers and Principals from education department and he is still doing this work. He is also started Babasaheb Marathe Physical Academy for making the students physically fit.

The Late Dr. S.D. Gokhale Award for “Promoting  Qualitative Journalism in Ageing” was given to Ms. Vibha Singh, Independent Journalist from Mumbai was felicitated for her regular writings in the print and social media on various issues and concerns of the senior citizens with a view to empowering the elderly to lead participatory, productive, qualitative, active and healthy lives with dignity.

A cash Prize of Rs.10,000/- was given to the Sanghas and Rs. 5,000/- to Jeevan Garav Puraskar awardees as well as to the journalist along with a citation and trophy.

This year the Anjani Mashelkar Inspiration  Award was given to Mrs. Shubhada Shridhar  Deshmukh, , Director, Amhi Amchya Arogyasathi, Gadchiroli.

She started the organization in the year 1984 along with her husband Dr. Satish Gogulwar Uplifting lives of tribal, underprivileged and disabled people across aspects like healthcare, livelihoods, women’s education, and empowering persons with disabilities – all through community driven initiatives.

The Prize carries a Citation and Cash of Rs.1,00,000/-.

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