Energy Access: Manipal’s Bharathiya Vikas Trust figures on Ashden’s long list

Manipal-based Bharathiya Vikas Trust (BVT) finds a mention in the long list of the prestigious Ashden Award in the energy access skills category.

More than 800 organisations applied for the 2021 Ashden Awards and BVT is one of just 38 to have made it to the long list.

Ashden, a UK charity which has been supporting transformative climate solutions for 20 years, will announce winners in November after evaluating the applicants which includes field visits and inputs from experts, according to Ashden chief executive Harriet Lamb.


BVT was founded in May 1981 by former union minister and banker TA Pai to promote rural development though self-empowerment, and create opportunities locally.

Ashok Pai, BVT’s managing trustee, said that his organisation has played a big role in building skills for women empowerment and sustainable energy based rural development. “In the last two decades, BVT has trained over 1000 personnel across various stakeholders thus creating a critical momentum for youth and rural development,” he said in a statement.