ABOUT JK AYA
Architecture was more or less identified with housing & more so with elite housing. However, many countries have used architecture effectively for public structures also, such as highways, Metro rails, factories, harbors & many other public facilities. If these structures have to look pleasing, relevant architecture has to be applied in their designs.
The subject of challenges to architecture w.r.t. town planning, infrastructure development & affordable housing is being discussed in various countries through various forums. Late Shri Yadupati Singhania JI, Past Chairman and Managing Director of J.K. Cement Limited thought that we can contribute to this cause by encouraging outstanding talent in the architecture profession as a continuous process & thereby set an example for others in the profession to do better & better. This is how 1st AYA began way back in the year 1990.
To encourage state level architecture, State Architecture awards were also introduced from the year 1998.
India and the countries neighboring India are still in the process of Infrastructure creation, industrial development and development of towns and habitats for its people. Construction related activities contribute greatly to the upliftment of economy and living standard. We thought that we have a common goal with the Countries in the region. Therefore, AYA activity was extended to some neighboring countries also.
Total 10 countries i.e. Srilanka, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are now participating in these awards.
Apex award is given for lifetime contribution under the honour as “Great Master's award” or “Chairman’s Award”, once in three years.
A dignitary from India preside over the function for award distribution.This has been the tradition since 1990.
List of Chief guest since AYA-1990 is -
| 1st JK AYA | HON’BLE Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, Vice President of India |
|---|---|
| 2nd JK AYA | HON’BLE Smt. Krishna Sahi, Minister of State for Industries |
| 3rd JK AYA | HON’BLE Smt. Sheila Kaul, Minister of Urban Development |
| 4th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri Madhav Rao Scindhia (Alternate Dr. Gaur Hari Singhania) |
| 5th JK AYA | HON’BLE Dr. Smt. Najma Heptulla, Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha |
| 6th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri HD Deve Gowda, Prime Minister of India |
| 7th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri I.K. Gujral, Prime Minister of India |
| 8th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister of Rajasthan |
| 9th JK AYA | HON’BLE Lt. Gen. (Retd) J.F.R. Jacob, Governor of Punjab |
| 10th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh |
| 11th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri Digvijay Singh, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh |
| 12th & 13th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Vice President of India |
| 14th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, Governor of Karnataka |
| 15th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri Chhagan Bhujbal, PWD Minister, Govt. of Maharastra |
| 16th & 17th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri S.C. Gupta, Chairman United bank of India |
| 18th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri R.S. Gavai, Governor of Kerala |
| 19th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri Shivraj Patil, Governor of Punjab & Administrator UT of Chandigarh |
| 20th JK AYA | Hon’ble Shri Digambar Kamath, Chief Minister of Goa |
| 21st JK AYA | Hon’ble Shri Basil Rajapaksa, Cabinet Minister for Economic development, Govt. of Sri Lanka. |
| 22nd JK AYA | Hon’ble Dr. K. Rosaiah, overnor of Tamil Nadu |
| 23rd JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri Ram Naik, Governor of Uttar Pradesh |
| 24th JK AYA | HON’BLE Gurudev Shri Sri Ravishankar, The founder of “Art of Living” |
| 25th JK AYA | HON’BLE Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for surface transport, Govt. of India |
| 26th JK AYA | HON’BLE Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Padma Bhushan and Advisor and ex-Chairman ISRO. |
| 27th JK AYA | HON’BLE Ar. B.V. Doshi, Padma Shree and Pritzker laureate. |
| 28th JK AYA | HON’BLE Gen. V.P. Malik, Former chief of army staff, Indian Army. |
| 29th & 30th JK AYA | H.E. Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh. |