On Sunday, March 29, 2026, a very special ceremony took place in the town of Kaliapani in Assam. A man named Anand Agarwala was given the second Jadav Payeng International Award for his hard work in protecting nature and helping people. Many important people came together in the Jorhat district to celebrate this local hero. It was a day filled with joy, respect, and a strong message about keeping our planet green and healthy for the future.

What Happened?

Anand Agarwala is 67 years old and has spent a huge part of his life trying to make the world a better place. He lives in Jorhat, a famous town in central Assam. For his many years of work, he was chosen to receive the Jadav Payeng International Award. This award is very special because it is named after Jadav Payeng, who people call the "Forest Man of India." Mr. Payeng is famous for planting an entire forest by himself on a river island. Having an award in his name is a big honor for anyone who cares about the environment.

The ceremony was held at a place called Kaliapani, which is about 335 kilometers away from the big city of Guwahati. At the event, Mr. Agarwala was given two lakh rupees and a special certificate called a citation. The award was started by a group called the Jyoti-Protap Education Trust. This group was founded by a businessman named Protap Saikia, who wanted to make sure that people who help nature are recognized for their work. Many big leaders, including the heads of three universities and the leader of a very old monastery, came to watch Mr. Agarwala receive his prize.

Mr. Agarwala was not just honored for planting trees. He has also done a lot of work to help children and keep his city clean. For example, he has used his own money to pay for the education of at least 5,000 children who come from families that do not have much money. He also built a large network of public toilets in Jorhat. This might sound like a small thing, but it helps keep the city clean and keeps people from getting sick. His work shows that being an environmentalist is about more than just trees; it is about taking care of the whole community.

Key Highlights

Anand Agarwala received the second Jadav Payeng International Award on March 29, 2026.
The award ceremony took place in Kaliapani, which is in the Jorhat district of eastern Assam.
The award includes a cash prize of two lakh rupees and a formal citation of honor.
Mr. Agarwala has helped 5,000 children get an education by paying for their school costs.
He built many public toilets in Jorhat to improve health and cleanliness in the town.
Jadav Payeng, the famous "Forest Man of India," was there to hand out the award personally.
The award was created by the Jyoti-Protap Education Trust to celebrate environmental heroes.

Why Does This Matter?

This news is important because it reminds us that one person can really change the world. Sometimes, the problems of the world, like climate change or dirty air, feel too big to fix. However, when we look at someone like Anand Agarwala, we see that doing small things every day adds up to a big difference. By planting trees and keeping his town clean, he is making life better for everyone around him. He shows us that we do not need to be famous or powerful to help; we just need to care about our neighbors and the Earth.

It also matters because it highlights the importance of education. The trust that gives this award also runs a school where children learn for free. They learn about modern things like robots, but they also learn about old traditions. This kind of education helps children grow up to be smart and kind. When we support people like Mr. Agarwala, we are also supporting the idea that every child deserves a chance to learn and every town deserves to be clean and green.

What Are People Saying?

During the event, Mr. Agarwala spoke from his heart. He said that the Earth is the only home we have and if we do not protect it, we will have nowhere else to go. He thanked Jadav Payeng for being a great example and showing people how to work hard instead of just giving long speeches. He also reminded everyone that even though humans think they are the smartest creatures on Earth, they are often the ones who do the most damage to nature.

Protap Saikia, the man who started the award, also spoke highly of Mr. Agarwala. He said that the work Mr. Agarwala has done for Assamese society is so big that it is hard to even measure. He praised him for dedicating his entire life to making the world green. Other leaders at the event agreed that Mr. Agarwala is a true hero who works quietly but changes many lives for the better.

Conclusion

The story of Anand Agarwala and the Jadav Payeng International Award is a beautiful example of how kindness and hard work can shine. By honoring people who protect the environment and help the poor, we encourage others to do the same. As Mr. Agarwala continues his work in Jorhat, his story will surely inspire many young people to look after the trees, keep their streets clean, and help those in need. After all, as he said, we only have one Earth, and it is our job to take care of it together.