In order to appreciate the young talent in the country, the State Bank of India (SBI) introduced YONO (You Only Need One) SBI 20 under 20 Awards. The Awards were felicitated at the gala event in Bengaluru. YONO is the State Bank of India’s digital app that provides lifestyle and banking services.
The decision for felicitating awards to the young minds started four months ago where contenders were invited, and 600 contenders were observed to be participating, after which 100 of them were shortlisted, after which another 60 were shortlisted who went through public voting and were finally awarded for their exceptional talent towards their respective fields.
Over 1.7 lakh people voted for 60 nominations across 10 diverse categories. A total of 18 winners collected their awards in person; Hima Srushti and Rinku Hooda (disability champions), Zaira Wasim and Sunny Pawar (outstanding actors), Nishtha Sharma and Jasu Khan (performing artists), Pothunuri Laya and Akash Manoj (game changers), Rajvee Gandhi and Nihal Raj (social media influencers), Anish Bhanwala (sports champion), Nikhiya Shamsher and Mohammed Ali Hasan (student achievers), Zuleika Juliet Antao and Anubhav Wadhwa (sustainability pioneers), Sovesh Mohapatra (art and literature), and Shreya Ramchandram (global Indian).
Hridayeshwar Singh Bhati was the world’s youngest disabled patent holder who was awarded Patent Jury Award, he was awarded for his invention of a six-player variant of chess at the age of 9. Back in 2012 he was a patent holder, considered the youngest patent holder in India at that time. He also developed a ramp system which allows easy access to vehicles for the disabled.
Sparsh Shah (global Indian), Manu Bhaker (sports champion) and Sanya Runwal (art and literature) could not attend but sent in their video acceptance speeches.
The event Arjun Kapoor as their Chief Guest along with SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar, SBI MD Arijit Basu, Deputy MD Anuradha Rao, Chief Marketing Officer SBI Dinesh Menon, Mohandas Pai, veena maestro Dr. Suma Sudhindra, Arman Ali and Reeta Gupta.
“The sheer power and capability of India’s young achievers have been brought to the fore by YONO SBI 20 under 20,” said SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar.
Arjun Kapoor said, “I have no words of advice for these trailblazing youngsters! I wish they would give me advice.”
Social media influencer and YouTuber Mallika Dua, as well as leading actresses of Kannada cinema Sanjjana Galrani and Harshika Poonacha, were also found present at the event.