Nelson Mandela Peace Award Bestowed on the Charitable Organization Supported by Austin Based Hindu Temple

AUSTIN, TX: JKP Education, a non-profit organization supported by Radha Madhav Dham Hindu Temple in Austin, has won the Nelson Mandela Peace Award for its contribution to the education of underprivileged girls in rural India.

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP) Education, located in Uttar Pradesh (UP), India, provides 100% free education, from kindergarten to postgraduate studies, to more than 5,000 girls living in impoverished rural areas.

With 430 million children in India, every 6th child in the world originates from India. Unfortunately, girls in

India are robbed of an education on account of poverty even today. School dropout rate among adolescent girls is as high as 63.5%. Through its initiatives, JKP Education attempts to correct this situation and give back the birthright of education to girls living in poor rural areas of UP, India.

JKP Education’s President, Vishaka Tripathi, accepted the prestigious award in Delhi on April 19, from a member of Indian Parliament and former Minister of State of Home Affairs, Shripad Yesso Naik.

 G.S. Sachdeva, General Secretary of the Economic Growth Society of India, commented, “These awards have been instituted with the goal of honoring individuals and organizations that have made selfless contribution towards the growth of India”.

In addition to free education, students are provided transportation, uniforms, school bags, and other school-related items at no cost.

“Our aim is to remove any obstacle to the girl’s education that is likely to be induced by poverty”, said Vishaka Tripathi.

Swami Nikhilanand, a US based preacher of Radha Madhav Dham in speaking to supporters about the award remarked “Leading a spiritual life and helping the less fortunate go hand in hand. We are very happy about this recognition. These awards inspire us to strive ever more diligently towards helping our fellow human beings and expand our future charitable works.”

The efforts of JKP Education have been recognized in the past as well. It has received Rajiv Gandhi Global Excellence Award (May, 2013), Naari Today Award of Jagran group (May, 2013), and Mother Teresa Excellence Award (September, 2013).

Nestled in the beautiful Hill Country of Austin, on a 200 acre property, Radha Madhav Dham is one of the largest Hindu temples in America. In addition to contributing to several health and educational related charitable projects aimed at improving the quality of life for poor in India, Radha Madhav Dham also supports Shiksha, a non-profit Sunday school providing enriching educational experience in India’s Arts and Culture for children living in the Greater Austin Community.