The Chaudhary Charan Singh Awards 2025 (Second Edition) were organised by Kisan Trust in New Delhi on Saturday in memory of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh. The ceremony honoured eminent individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to agriculture, public service, journalism, and rural development. Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended as the chief guest, while Union Minister (Independent Charge) Jayant Singh was the special guest.
This year, the Kalam Ratna Award was conferred upon senior journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Rural Voice, Harvir Singh. The Kisan Award was presented to progressive farmer Satyawan Sehrawat. Dr D.K. Yadav received the Krishi Utthan Award, Fruvetech Organisation was honoured with the Krishi Udyami Award, and Pratham Education Foundation received the Seva Ratna Award. Notably, the Krishi Udyami Award category was introduced for the first time this year.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressing the awards ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that he saw the same simplicity and commitment to farmers in Jayant Chaudhary that defined Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji. He noted that villagers, the poor, and farmers regarded Chaudhary Saheb as a beacon of hope, and that he devoted his life to their upliftment without compromise.
Recalling Chaudhary Saheb’s political courage, the minister said that at a time when few dared to challenge Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Chaudhary Charan Singh strongly opposed the policy of cooperative farming. Inspired by Gandhian ideals, he participated in the freedom struggle, dismantled the zamindari system, and empowered farmers by granting them ownership of land. He always stood firm against pressure when farmers’ interests were at stake.
Addressing the ceremony, Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary thanked the jury members and congratulated all award recipients. He remarked that while farmers often come to Delhi to demand change, this occasion was special as farmers had gathered to honour excellence in Chaudhary Saheb’s memory. He said the recognition was both a proud moment and a responsibility to carry forward Chaudhary Saheb’s legacy.
Accepting the Kalam Ratna Award, Harvir Singh said that receiving an honour named after Chaudhary Saheb was deeply emotional and a matter of great pride. Inspired by Chaudhary Charan Singh’s ideology, he has consistently raised issues related to villages and farmers through journalism and continues this mission through Rural Voice, dedicated to amplifying the concerns of agriculture and rural India.
Kisan Award recipient Satyawan Sehrawat said that the vision of a developed India by 2047 can only be realised by following the path shown by Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji and empowering farmers. He described the award as the greatest honour of his life.
Dr Devendra Yadav, agricultural scientist and Deputy Director General of ICAR, who received the Krishi Utthan Award, said it was a matter of immense pride to be associated with an award bearing the name of Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh, a tireless champion of farmers. He reaffirmed his commitment to improving farmers’ lives through science and policy.
Accepting the Agricultural Entrepreneur Award on behalf of Fruvetech, Dr Jagdish Gupta said the organisation was honoured by the recognition and resolved to work towards fulfilling Chaudhary Charan Singh’s vision.
Receiving the Seva Ratna Award on behalf of Pratham Education Foundation, Rukmini Banerjee said that being recognised in the name of Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh, even as an organisation outside the agricultural sector, was both a privilege and a source of inspiration for their work in education.
The programme was presided over by Dr Yashveer Singh, President of Kisan Trust. In his welcome address, he said that Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji empowered farmers, Dalits, and backward classes by granting them land rights and dignity. He noted that farmers suffered the greatest loss with Chaudhary Saheb’s passing. The event was attended by Kisan Trust trustee Charu Chaudhary, senior agricultural scientist Dr A.K. Singh, and several other dignitaries.