International Recognition: 2024 Civic Pride Award by City of Niagara Falls, Government of Canada

The Pratishthan receives prestigious Civic Pride Award Back

On 27th November 2024, the City of Niagara Falls honored Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan (DSNDP) and the founders Dr. Shri Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and Dr. Shri Sachindada Dharmadhikari with the prestigious 2024 Civic Pride Award for Transforming Communities appreciating their outstanding global social work. The award served as a recognition for the extraordinary humanitarian efforts of DSNDP, a testament to the steadfast leadership of its founders. The Civic Pride Award is presented to individuals and organizations who demonstrate a true commitment to the community, improving the city's environment and enhancing the everyday lives of Niagara Falls residents. It is one of the special awards presented annually during the City’s Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony and Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan was shortlisted as the most deserving organization for this award by the City’s Board Members including Mayor Jim Diodati and Councilors Tony Baldinelli, Wayne Campbell, Chris Dabrowski, Lori Lococo, Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, Mona Patel, Victor Pietrangelo and Mike Strange. The award was received by volunteers of the organization and was presented by Jim Diodati, the mayor of the City of Niagara Falls, Canada.

Endorsing DSNDP during the award ceremony the committee representative remarked “The civic pride award is presented by the recreation committee to recognize the unsung heroes who take pride and ownership in our community. This award is presented to those who demonstrate true commitment to community, make the city a nicer, cleaner place to live in and make a difference in the daily lives of those who reside in Niagara Falls. This group has done an outstanding job since they started to help clean areas of debris in our city, adopting Coronation park and stretch of Montrose road in Niagara Falls with a commitment to conduct frequent cleanups in those areas throughout the year. In 2023, the organization also worked with the Environmental Action Committee to plant over 300 trees at Settler's Green Park and Erindale Park, Mississauga in 2023.” Highlighting organisational facts, she further added, “The international footprint with an ascending social impact records growth of the global non profit organization DSNDP dedicated to environmental health and social development. Founded in India, DSNDP has grown to inspire over 5 million followers worldwide. Since the inception, The organization has planted over 3.67 million trees, eliminated 275 million pounds of waste, and cleared 32 million pounds of waste from dams and rivers in India effectively saving millions of dollars in governmental resources.”

Along with the City Mayor Jim Diodati, the event was graced by City Council members Mona Patel, Victor Pietrangelo and Mike Strange, who lauded the organization's impactful efforts. In recognition of this achievement, MP (Member of Parliament), Mr. Tony Baldinelli honored DSNDP with a certificate of achievement quoting “It gives me great pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations on your recognition from the City of Niagara Falls as a volunteer award recipient. Your dedication has made a real difference in the lives of residents of Niagara, and in the health and vibrancy of our community.” Additionally, the MPP (Member of Legislative Assembly), Mr. Wayne Gates also conferred a certificate congratulating DSNDP and commended the organization, founders Dr. Shri Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and Dr. Shri Sachindada Dharmadhikari for their outstanding commitment to advancement and development of education, arts, culture, sport and recreational pursuits in the North American Community.

The social impact achieved by DSNDP is profoundly inspiring, motivating millions globally to make a difference through their volunteerism and service. Under the visionary leadership of the founders, DSNDP has expanded to 23 countries, inspiring 5 million followers across the globe. Transcending boundaries, in the United States, the organization has spanned social initiatives across 19 states and 108 cities, mobilizing over 3500 volunteers, collecting 27,171 kgs of waste, and planting over 20,000 trees. Leading similar efforts in Canada, DSNDP mobilized more than 500 volunteers to collect 6626 kgs of waste, planted more than 300 trees and conducted recurring plasma donation drives in the last three years with over 150 donor registrations. Within the USA and Canada, DSNDP runs around 30 different types of social initiatives, successfully adopting multiple roads/ parks/ highways/ railway stations/ beaches/ ramps/ streets etc resulting in installation of more than 100 permanent road sign boards dedicated to DSNDP by various city and state governments. DSNDP’s selfless work has been recognized by US and Canadian government officials such as State Lieutenant Governor (Deputy Chief Minister); 6 Senators (Members of Parliament), 7 Members of Legislative Assembly, 7 City Mayors and over 16 Council Members (Corporators). The organization has consistently received numerous accolades in the form of over 100 appreciation certificates for various social initiatives from local and state governments. Appreciating the leadership and mass volunteering efforts, several media houses in US and Canada have broadcasted over 33 TV news and posted content through 175 newspaper publications about organizational welfare initiatives. The Committee on behalf of the City of Niagara Falls congratulated DSNDP on this well deserved recognition wishing success in the organization's mission to touch more lives around the world.

Inspired by this recognition and guided by our motto, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - The World is One Family," DSNDP seeks to expand their philanthropic efforts and broaden its influence across the social fabric of North America.