Lifetime Achievement Award Guidelines

1. Purpose of Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award is instituted to recognize and honour individuals who have rendered long, distinguished service and / or made significant contributions to the NDRI Graduates Alumni Association (NGAA) through sustained leadership, commitment, significant contributions to its growth, governance, alumni engagement, and institutional development. The award also recognizes outstanding contributions to the Indian Dairy and Food Sector in entrepreneurship, scientific research, technology, teaching, extension, marketing, management, or other areas of professional excellence. It honours individuals whose lifelong dedication has created a lasting impact on both NGAA and the dairy profession.

2. Award Criteria:

The nominee shall satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

2.1. Must be a Life Member of the NDRI Graduates Alumni Association (NGAA).

2.2. Must have rendered a minimum of 30 years of distinguished professional service in the dairy and / or food sector.

2.3. May be serving in an active professional capacity or may be retired.

2.4. The award shall recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding and sustained contributions in the following areas:

2.4.1. Strengthening and advancing the NDRI Graduates Alumni Association (NGAA) through exemplary leadership, institutional development, alumni engagement, mentorship, resource mobilization, or other significant contributions.

2.4.2. Building and leading successful dairy and/or food enterprises as an entrepreneur, promoter, or senior corporate executive (CXO or equivalent).

2.4.3. Advancing the dairy and food sector through innovation, scientific research, technology development, education, or institutional excellence.

2.4.4. Promoting sustainability, community development, social responsibility, and ethical business practices.

2.4.5. Providing distinguished leadership in national and / or international professional, academic, industry, or governmental organizations.

2.4.6. Contributing to policy advocacy, regulatory reforms, or initiatives that have advanced the interests of the dairy and food sector.

2.4.7. Disseminating knowledge, promoting public awareness, and imparting high-quality education, training, and capacity building.

3. Nature of the Award:

3.1. The NGAA Lifetime Achievement Award shall ordinarily be conferred annually at a ceremony organized by the NDRI Graduates Alumni Association (NGAA), as approved by the Central Executive Committee (CEC).

3.2. Award recipients are expected to be present in person to receive the award. In exceptional circumstances, the CEC may permit the award to be presented in absentia upon prior request and approval.

3.3. The award shall comprise a citation, a trophy, and such other recognition as may be approved by the CEC from time to time.

3.4. At its discretion and subject to the availability of funds, the CEC may reimburse or provide reasonable travel and / or hospitality expenses for the award recipient to attend the award ceremony.

3.5. A valid nomination shall remain under consideration for three consecutive award cycles. If not selected during this period, the nominee may be considered only upon submission of a fresh nomination.

3.6. The CEC reserves the right not to confer the award in any year if no nomination is found deserving of the honour. Ordinarily, not more than one (1) Lifetime Achievement Award shall be conferred in any calendar year.

4. Nomination Process

4.1. A nomination may be submitted by any individual, including the nominee himself / herself. The nominator is not required to be a member of the NDRI Graduates Alumni Association (NGAA).

4.2. Each nomination shall include the following documents:

4.2.1. A detailed résumé, curriculum vitae (CV), or summary of the nominee's professional career and achievements.

4.2.2. A separate statement (not exceeding two pages) describing the nominee's significant contributions to the NDRI Graduates Alumni Association (NGAA), including leadership, institutional development, alumni engagement, mentorship, resource mobilization, or other initiatives that have strengthened the Association.

4.2.3. A separate statement (not exceeding two pages) highlighting the nominee's outstanding contributions to the industry, research and education, including the significance of these contributions and their impact on the profession, industry, or society.

4.3. Complete nominations, along with all relevant documents and annexures, shall be submitted to the NGAA office in soft copy via email to ndri.grads@gmail.com on or before the last date notified by the Central Executive Committee (CEC). Nominations received after the prescribed deadline or found to be incomplete are liable to be rejected without further consideration.

5. Selection Criteria

5.1. Significant contribution to the NDRI Graduates Alumni Association (NGAA) through sustained leadership, institutional development, alumni engagement, mentorship, resource mobilization, governance, or other initiatives that have significantly strengthened the Association. This criterion shall carry the highest weightage in the selection process.

5.2. Distinguished and sustained contributions to the Indian Dairy and Food Sector through excellence in entrepreneurship, scientific research, technology development, education, extension, management, policy, advocacy, or other areas of professional achievement, and the lasting impact of such contributions on the industry and society.

5.3. The Awards Committee reserves the right to seek additional information, supporting documents, or references from the nominator, the nominee, or any other appropriate source to assist in the evaluation of nominations.

The decision of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) shall be final and binding.

6. Awards Committee

6.1. The Award Committee shall comprise of the General Secretary, NGAA and such other CEC members as may be nominated by the Central Executive Committee (CEC).

6.2 The Award Committee shall scrutinize and evaluate all eligible nominations in accordance with the prescribed selection criteria and submit its assessment to the Central Executive Committee (CEC) for final consideration and approval.

6.3. No member of the Awards Committee shall be eligible for nomination for the NGAA Lifetime Achievement Award during his or her tenure on the Committee. Further, any member having a conflict of interest, including a close personal, professional, financial, or commercial relationship with a nominee, shall disclose such conflict and recuse himself / herself from the evaluation, deliberations, and voting, if any, relating to that nomination.

6.4. The Awards Committee shall conduct its deliberations in a fair, impartial, and confidential manner.

6.5. The decision of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), based on the evaluation of the Awards Committee, shall be final and binding on all concerned.

6.6. No correspondence, representation, appeal, or request for reconsideration regarding the selection process or the final decision shall be entertained. Likewise, no interim enquiries concerning the status of nominations shall be responded to