The award was presented by Former Chief Justice of India Justice Uday Lalit, in the presence of Former Chief Election Commissioner T. S. Krishnamurthy and senior public leader Shyam Jaju, at the Suryadatta Group of Institutes’ annual national awards ceremony in Pune. Instituted nearly three decades ago, the Suryadatta National Awards recognise individuals whose work has made a meaningful and lasting contribution across social service, public leadership, arts, science, and national development.
Khurana was recognised for his sustained contributions to mental health advocacy and global youth leadership. He currently serves as a Global Youth Ambassador for the Commonwealth, becoming the only Asian and among the few individuals globally to hold the position. In this role, he has contributed to international initiatives focused on youth development, mental health awareness, and social inclusion.
He has also worked with UNICEF India on youth mental health engagement and is the founder of Pause. Breathe. Talk., an initiative dedicated to reducing stigma around mental health and improving access to emotional well-being support through dialogue, education, and community outreach.
Over the years, the Suryadatta National Awards have honoured prominent personalities across diverse fields, including national leaders, Padma awardees, artists, scientists, and global changemakers. Khurana’s recognition places him among a new generation of Indian youth leaders contributing to global conversations on mental health and social impact.
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