SRINAGAR: On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, Er. Ehtisham Khan, a well-known social and student rights activist from Jammu & Kashmir and Co-founder of The Purpose (NGO), has been honoured with the Gandhi Global Achievement Award 2025 by the Treta Yug Foundation, a reputed national organization devoted to education, empowerment, and grassroots social transformation.
The award was presented in acknowledgement of Khan’s relentless activism, fearless advocacy, and grassroots initiatives that have consistently cantered around the upliftment of youth, students, and marginalized communities. Over the years, he has emerged as a powerful voice for educational reforms, student rights, and social justice, raising concerns from examination mismanagement to reservation policies, and from the plight of Kashmiri students studying outside and within the Valley to the right to equal opportunities for all.
His activism has not been confined to rhetoric. Khan has persistently taken issues to the highest corridors of power, while simultaneously mobilizing student voices on the ground. His leadership in moments of crisis—be it examination cancellations, delays in results, or systemic lapses—has given hope to thousands of young aspirants whose futures often hang in the balance.
Receiving the award, an elated yet humble Khan said:“To be conferred with the Gandhi Global Achievement Award on Gandhi Jayanti is an honour beyond words. The name of Mahatma Gandhi is eternal, and this recognition reaffirms my conviction that truth and non-violence are still the most powerful tools in our struggle for justice and dignity. This award is not just mine, but belongs to every young voice of Jammu & Kashmir that has refused to be silenced.”
He added: “Our generation has immense potential, and I have always believed that youth must not remain passive spectators to their destiny. If my efforts can inspire others to rise above fear and take a stand for what is right, then my journey has served its purpose.”
Over the years, Ehtisham has been the recipient of several accolades, including the Youth Icon Award, Mahatma Gandhi Seva Puraskar, a State Award nomination by the Government of J&K, and more. These recognitions, coupled with his constant engagement with grassroots issues, have positioned him as one of the most influential and promising young voices from Jammu & Kashmir, bridging the gap between governance and the aspirations of the people.
The Treta Yug Foundation, while bestowing the honour, lauded Khan for his “courageous activism and unwavering commitment to public causes,” noting that his work embodies the Gandhian spirit of perseverance and people-centric change.
Concluding on a resolute note, Khan affirmed his unwavering mission for the future:
“This recognition is not the culmination of my journey, but a catalyst that strengthens my resolve. I will continue to fight fearlessly and tirelessly for the genuine rights and rightful demands of society — with the students of this land at the heart of my struggle. My activism will endure, my voice will not falter, and my conviction shall remain unbending until justice, equity, and dignity become the lived reality of every young Kashmiri.”
With this recognition, Khan once again cements his place as an emerging torchbearer of hope and transformation from Jammu & Kashmir, carrying forward the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi into the contemporary era of challenges and opportunities.