Orange City Icon Award 2026: Kokan NGO India celebrated a moment of great pride for the social service sector as Mr. Dayanand Sulochana Shriram Kubal, President of the Kokan Kala va Shikshan Vikas Sanstha, was conferred with this prestigious honor. Recognized for his exceptional contributions to social welfare, education, and public service, he received the award during a grand ceremony held at the Amrut Bhavan Hall in Nagpur. The event drew a distinguished audience, bringing together key figures from the social, political, educational, and cultural spheres to celebrate exemplary community leadership.
A Blessed Moment: Honored by Living Legends
A standout highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the award by veteran social worker Datta Bargaje and his wife, Sandhya Bargaje. As founders of Infant India and longtime associates of Padma Bhushan Baba Amte and Mandatai Amte, the couple has dedicated over five decades to supporting tribal communities and children affected by HIV.
Receiving the award from such revered figures was an emotionally moving experience for Dayanand Kubal. Reflecting on the moment, they shared that while he never had the opportunity to meet Padma Bhushan Baba Amte in person, accepting this honor from his close associates feels as if Baba Amte himself is blessing him. They added that this award brings a deeper sense of responsibility to continue serving society with even greater dedication.
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Transforming Communities Through Kokan NGO India
Under Dayanand Kubal’s leadership, the Kokan kala va Shikshan vikas Sanstha has emerged as a beacon of hope, trust, and community-driven progress. The organization has spearheaded numerous impactful initiatives, ranging from providing financial and academic support to needy students to offering employment guidance to the youth. Additionally, they regularly organize blood donation drives, routine health check-up camps, and women empowerment programs aimed at lifting the underprivileged sections of society. Through these initiatives, Kubal has built a reliable, people-centric platform that actively uplifts the marginalized.
A Vision for 2030 and a Legacy of Recognition
Never one to rest on past achievements, Dayanand Kubal announced an ambitious roadmap during the event. They pledged to extend the reach of Kokan NGO India to impact three million lives positively by 2030, focusing heavily on expanding access to quality education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
This latest award adds to a long list of accolades honoring Kubal’s selfless service, which includes the Sir Ratan Tata Excellence Award, Sakal Media’s Brand of Konkan, Konkan Sanman, and the Youth Social Worker Award. Under his visionary leadership, the Kokan NGO India itself has been recognized with six national awards, cementing its reputation as a leading social organization in India. Speaking at the event, chief guest Datta Bargaje praised Kubal’s work, highlighting him as an inspiring example of how the younger generation should approach social work with determination, focus, and genuine dedication.
The ceremony at Amrut Bhavan Hall was a vibrant celebration of grassroots change, honoring several other dedicated changemakers alongside Dayanand Kubal. The Orange City Icon Award 2026 stands as a tribute not only to Kubal’s personal efforts, but to every volunteer and supporter dedicated to building a compassionate and equitable society.
Kokan NGO India: Driving Sustainable Social Change Across India
Established in 2012, Kokan NGO India is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a socio-economically inclusive society for marginalized and vulnerable communities across India. Through grassroots interventions focused on child rights, quality education, accessible healthcare, women empowerment, skill development, and rural growth, the trust works tirelessly to break the cycle of poverty and lift underserved populations. Recognized with six national awards for Kokan NGO India work impact and community trust, the organization operates across multiple states with an ambitious vision to positively influence over three million lives by 2030 through sustainable social change.
