Bisathi Bharath Receives Art of Living Unsung Heroes Award

Anantapur: Bisathi Bharath, youth leader from Anantapur, has been presented the prestigious Unsung Heroes Award by the Art of Living Foundation during its 45th Anniversary celebrations and its founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, turning 70.

Bharath received the award at Aryabhatta Auditorium in Abdul Kalam Block of JNTU Anantapur. Vice chancellor Prof. H. Sudarsana Rao presented him the award in the presence of District Revenue Officer A. Malola, NSS coordinator Dr. G. Mamata, and Art of Living representative Kurnool Mamata.

The award recognises Bharath’s inspiring journey from grassroots service to impactful global contributions. From a young age of 16 years, Bharath has demonstrated a commitment to humanitarian causes. He has donated blood 40 times, organised 45 blood donation camps, and mobilised over 3,400 units of blood.

Further, he has pledged his organs and motivated 438 youth to do the same. As the founder of Pragathi Padham Youth Association, he has empowered more than 30,000 rural students with free soft skills training and career counselling, while also raising awareness among 12,000 students on Nasha Mukt Bharat, screen de-addiction, and mental health.

Bharath is a youth trainer under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. He has organised 42 Youth Parliaments and Yuva Samvad programmes, promoting democratic participation. Serving as an Electoral Ambassador under the Election Commission of India through the SVEEP programme, he enrolled 3,800 first-time voters and conducted 38 ethical voting awareness drives, earning the Electoral Ambassador Award in 2016.

The Anantapur award winner, as a Jal Champion, has trained over 6,500 youth in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, while also leading impactful Swachh Bharat campaigns. He has played a role in popularising Union Government initiatives and ensuring that their benefits reach rural communities.