Bharat Vikas Parishad – A Journey Through The Years

 Landmarks
196312th January: Citizens Council, set up by Dr. Suraj Parkash initially to mobilize citizens’ efforts to fight the Chinese attack, was renamed as the Bharat Vikas Parishad (BVP) on the birth centenary of Swami Vivekanand and thus BVP was born. Shri B. P. Sinha, Retd. Chief Justice of Supreme Court becomes the first Chief Patron, Lala Hans Raj Gupta, the first President and Dr. Suraj Parkash its first Secretary General.
10th July: BVP is registered as a Society under The Societies Registration Act 1860. The first meeting is also held on this date.
1967First Group Song Competition is held and President Zakir Hussain distributes the prizes to the winners. This is the first publicly held Prakalp of the Parishad.
1968First branch outside Delhi is set up at Dehradun in Uttar Pradesh.
1969BVP decides to publish NITI and Dr. Suraj Parkash becomes its first Managing Editor.
1972BVP decides to install 18.5 feet high equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on a 30 feet high platform at New Delhi. Babu Jagjeevan Ram, Defence Minister, lays the foundation stone of the statute.
1973>President Shri V.V. Giri unveils the statue in the Tercentenary year of Shivaji’s Rajyabhishek.President Shri V.V. Giri unveils the statue in the Tercentenary year of Shivaji’s Rajyabhishek.

>Dr. L.M. Singhvi, who joined BVP in 1969, takes over as President of BVP from Lala Hans Raj Gupta. He propounds the four Sutras of BVP - Sampark, Sahyog, Sanskar and Sewa.
1975Emergency declared by Smt. Indira Gandhi on 25th June 1975 forces the BVP to suspend its activities, including the publication of NITI.
1977BVP resumes its activities on withdrawal of Emergency in 1977.
1982BVP decides to constitute a National Governing Board.
198314th August: First meeting of the National Governing Board is held. Thirty-one members attend it from 9 States.
1985Justice Hans Raj Khanna takes over as President of BVP from Dr. L.M. Singhvi who demits office on his appointment as Indian High Commissioner in U.K.
1986BVP decides to conduct training camps for its office bearers in every state every year.
BVP spreads its wings in the South as its branches are opened at Vishakhpatnam, Vijayavada and Hyderabad on 15th, 16th and 17th August respectively.
1988>BVP decides to publish NITI on monthly basis.
>BVP completes 25 years of its existence, and a function to celebrate Silver Jubilee is held at Delhi.
>The number of branches touches 100 mark.
>BVP’s activities extend to most of the states.
>Three new projects are introduced in BVP: Viklang Sahayata, Vanvasi Kalyan and Vikas Saptah.
>BVP extends help to flood victims in Punjab and Gujarat.
1990First Viklang Sahayata Kendra is established in Delhi
1991Shri Piara Lal Rahi takes over as Secretary General at the All India Conference held at Udaipur, after the demise of the founder Secretary General Dr. Suraj Prakashji on 2nd February.
1992>BVP appoints 4 Vice Presidents and 2 Joint Secretaries. The country is divided into 5 Zones under the charge of Zonal Organising Secretaries.
>Similarly, Rashtriya Sanyojak (National Convener) for each of the five Projects is appointed.
>Shri P.L. Rahi visits Canada and BVP’s first international Branch is established in Canada.
>Efforts are initiated to set up Viklang Kendras under the Viklang Sahayata Project.
>For the first time, the National Group Song Competition at National level is held outside Delhi at Hyderabad.
1993>In place of 5 zones, the country is divided into 9 zones.
>A property is purchased in West Patel Nagar, New Delhi to house the Central Office of the BVP.
>Vikas Samarpit Yojana is introduced to involve retired persons in social service.
>BVP donates funds for earthquake victims at Latur in Maharashtra.
>BVP starts celebrating Guru Tegh Bahadur Balidan Diwas.
>BVP donates funds for setting up ashrams for Vanavasi children in Assam under its Vanvasi Kalyan Yojana.
1995>3rd December: President of India presents National Award for the welfare of the handicapped to the "Delhi Bharat Vikas Foundation" in public recognition of their outstanding performance as employers of handicapped persons.
>Project for Eye Care and Eye Donation is launched with the organization of a training camp at Tinsukhia.
>Project to adopt whole village for all round development is launched with adoption of a village each in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.
>The first 5-day camp to train Vikas Samarpit persons is organized at Haridwar.
>Other projects added to BVP programmes are: Paryavaran, Health, Publicity,
>The Government of India grants 80-G exemption to donations made to the Bharat Vikas Parishad Charitable Trust, New Delhi
1996>BVP’s branches are opened in West Bengal.
>"Samutkarsh", an organization in Gujarat, is merged with BVP.
>BVP decides to hold All India Conferences once in two years.
>Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s statute is unveiled at Dalhousie during September.
1997>Parishad honours its President Justice Shri H.R. Khanna on his 85th birthday for his outstanding record as a Judge of the Supreme Court and for exhibition of indomitable courage in his historic judgements
>First workshop for women only is organized at Varanasi, which is attended by Organizers of 9 States.
>Prof. Rajender Singhji, Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh consecrates Shilanyas of Bharat Vikas Bhawan at Delhi on 8th October.
1998The fifth Sutra ’Samarpan’ is added to BVP philosophy.
2000>Justice M. Rama Jois and Shri R. P. Sharma took over as President (from Justice H. R. Khanna) and Secretary General (from Shri P. L. Rahi) respectively. Shri T. N. Agarwal is elected as Finance Secretary.
>The National Governing Board approves Parishad’s new Constitution.
>BVP decides to celebrate the years 2000 & 2001 as "Sanskriti Varsha" and also initiates Sanskar Pradan Yojana.
>National Governing Board decides to hold its meetings only once in a year.
>Dr. Pranav Pandyaji, the Pramukh of Vishwa Gayatri Parivar and Manya Sri Sheshadriji, Sar Karyavaha of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
inaugurate the Central Office of the Parishad at Delhi.
>All India President announces the following new projects to be taken up by all Branches throughout the country:
· Samuhik Saral Vivah
· Sanskriti Pradushan Nirodh
· Guru Vandan Chhatra Abhinandan on Teachers’ Day
· Bharat Ko Jano Competition
· Vande Mataram Competition
· Saksharta Abhiyan
>Sanskrit Samuh Gan Pratiyogita is organized first time at the National level
2001>First International / All India Personality Development Camp (Boys) is organized at Dalhousie.
>Zonal level meetings are held in the country for the first time.
>Instead of 9 zones, the country is divided into 13 zones with 41 Prants / States.
>Parishad took up Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh as its first village for integrated development in collaboration with Jindal Foundation of Canada
2002>Shri Surinder Kumar Wadhwa takes over as National Finance Secretary from Shri T.N. Agarwal.
>First All India Bharat Ko Jano Competition was held in January at Delhi. Seventeen Prants participated.
2003Justice Jitendra Vir Gupta takes over as National President from Justice M. Rama Jois.
2004>President of India bestows the National Award to Parishad’s Viklang Sahayata Kendra at Ludhiana for welfare of persons with disabilities.
>Justice D.R. Dhanuka, Shri R.P. Sharma, Shri I.D. Ojha and Shri Surinder Kumar Wadhwa are elected as National President, National Working President, National Secretary General and National Finance Secretary respectively.
>Parishad launches Vikas Mitra Yojana.
>Parishad launches a new six-monthly bilingual magazine "Gyan Prabha".
2006>Shri Varinder Sabharwal is elected as National Finance Secretary in place of Shri Surinder Kumar Wadhwa.
>Vandemataram Competition is renamed as National Sanskrit Group-Song and Folk-Song Competition and its first national level competition is held in January, 2006 at Pali (Rajasthan).
>First Meeting of the National Council is held at Haridwar.
2007>Prime Minister gives FICCI award to Ludhiana Viklang Sahayta Kendra for the empowerment of Physically Challenged Persons.
>Parishad adopts its flag.
>Parishad launches its website www.bvpindia.com - designed, developed anad maintained in-house
>Parishad spells its vision as "Swasth - Samarth - Sanskarit Bharat" on suggestion by Shri Atam Dev
>Parishad launches Vikas Ratan Yojana.
>Utkrishtata Samman Project is launched. Two saints share Parishad's first year Utkrishtata Samman for Sanskar and Indian Values.
2008>Shri R. P. Sharma, Shri I.D. Ojha, Shri Varinder Sabharwal and Shri Harish Jindal are elected as National President, National Working President, National Secretary General and National Finance Secretary respectively.
>"Gyan Prabha" becomes quarterly magazine.
2009>Parishad honours Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India with "Utkrishtata Samman" for their excellent work in empowering Tribal and Rural India. (February, 2009)
2010>Shri R. P. Sharma, Shri I.D. Ojha, Shri Surinder Kumar Wadhwa and Dr. Kanhaiya Lal Gupta are elected as National President, National Working President , National Secretary General and National Finance Secretary respectively.
>Parishad honours Dr. Vallabhbhai R. Kathiria, Rajkot (Gujarat) with "Utkrishtata Samman" for his outstanding work in the field of Environment (July, 2010)
2011>Bharat Vikas Parishad honours Deendayal Shodh Sansthan, New Delhi with its prestigious "Utkrishtata Samman" for their excellent work in the field of Village Development (December, 2011)
2012>Km. Nivedita Bhide, Vice President of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, unveils statue to Swami Vivekanand at Parishad's Central Office, Delhi (January, 2012)
>Justice Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje, Prof. Satya Prakash Tiwari, Shri Surinder Kumar Wadhwa and Dr. Kanhaiya Lal Gupta are elected as National President, National Working President, National Secretary General and National Finance Secretary respectively for the years 2012-14.
>Parishad celebrates 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekanand.

>Parishad launches scheme to provide financial assistance to service projects being run by BVP Branches / Prants / Trusts.
>Parishad’s Patron Shri Govind Narain and Shri Kedar Nath Sahni, one of the Founder Members of Bharat Vikas Parishad, pass away.
2013>Parishad celebrates its Golden Jubilee all over the country. A National level programme is held at India International Centre, New Delhi presided over by Justice Ramesh Chandra Lahoti (July, 2013)
2014>Shri Sitaram Pareek, Shri Surinder Kumar Wadhwa, Dr. Kanhaiya Lal Gupta and Shri Sachidananda Panda are elected as National President, National Working President, National Secretary General and National Finance Secretary respectively for the years 2014-16.
2015>National Secretary General Dr. Kanhaiya Lal Gupta passes away (10th January 2015).
>Parishad appoints Shri Ajay Dutta as its National Secretary General (February, 2015)
>For the first time, Parishad's Ahmedabad Viklang Kendra organises a camp abroad at Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa. (January, 2015)
2016>Parishad adopts its new Rules (i.e. constitution)
>Shri Sitaram Pareek, Shri Ajay Dutta and Shri Shri Om Prakash Kanoongo are elected as National President, National Secretary General and National Finance Secretary respectively for the years 2016-18.
>In place of Zones, Prants organised into Regions.
>Shri Mohan Bhagwat inaugurates 2nd and 3rd floors of Bharat Vikas Bhawan (April, 2016)
2017>Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister inaugurates Parishad’s National Blood Donation Campaign (July, 2017)
2018Dr. Suresh Chandra Gupta, Shri Ajay Dutta and Shri Om Prakash Kanoongo are elected as National President, National Secretary General, National Finance Secretary respectively for the years 2018-20.
2019>The number of Regions increased from seven to nine.
On Foundation Day, Parishad launches Online Bharat Ko Competition for the students of colleges and technical / professional institutes in India or abroad (July, 2019)
2020>Bharat Vikas Parishad celebrates “Janam Shatabdi Varsh” (1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021) of its founder Dr. Suraj Prakashji on completion of his 100th Birth anniversary.

>Shri Gajendra Singh Sandhu, Shri Shyam Sharma and Shri Sampat Khurdia are elected as National President, National Secretary General, National Finance Secretary respectively for the years 2020-21.

>Bharat Vikas Parishad contributes Rs 2.11 crore to PM Cares Fund (27 September) (Click for details)
2021>The closing ceremony of "Janam Shatabdi Varsh" of Dr. Suraj Prakash ji was addressed by Dr. Mohan Bhagwat ji (22 November).
2022>Shri Gajendra Singh Sandhu, Shri Shyam Sharma and Shri Mahesh Baboo Gupta are elected as National President, National Secretary General, National Finance Secretary respectively for the years 2022-24.
2024>Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Shri Durga Das Sharma and Shri Mahesh Baboo Gupta are elected as National President, National Secretary General, National Finance Secretary respectively for the years 2024-26.