ARTISTES 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR

Gul Panag (2011-12)

Gul was born in Chandigarh, into a 2nd generation armed forces family. Crowned Miss India Universe in 1999, still only in her teens, Gul has always had varied interests such as running marathons, reading, traveling and riding horses. Gul is a renowned model, TV artist and Film personality. It was her interest and desire for public services that saw Gul, from the very beginning of her public life, begin to work for the needy and give back to the society and the environment. She has been working to raise funds and awareness for Shraddha, (a school that rehabilitates young autistic adults) for numerous years, Shop For Change Fair Trade (a concern which promotes fair trade opportunities for poor farmers such as the cotton farmers of Telengana, Vidarbha and Kutch), and Green Commandos ( a citizen action initiative to save the environment). She recently cemented her association with Sulabh International on World Health Day to work together to promote public health through sanitation. She single handedly collected used computers to install at village schools and begin basic computer literacy for the poor. She is actively studying, promoting and installing practical solar and rain harvesting systems. Gul has now launched SOAP- a volunteering portal - www.soaponline.in, that brings together individuals looking to volunteer and support a Social Cause, NGOs looking for volunteers, funds and a platform for their programs and Corporate and Academic Institutions looking to incentivise social responsibility; along with bringing volunteering, funding, resources and CSR opportunities. SOAP brings together all the key stake holders in volunteering on a single platform that is free for all to use.

Anupam Kher (2010-2011)

Anupam Kher's voyage as an actor has taken him to several places in the world. His passion that catapulted Padma Shri award for him, have made him one of the greatest actors of contemporary cinema. In 2005, he established his dream project "Actor Prepares"-a premier acting school where he personally imparts some of his acting secrets to tomorrow's actors and superstars. He was recently awarded the Teacher's Lifetime Achievement for his contribution to cinema and social work. Shredding the comfortable cocoon that a star of his stature would live within, concerned with giving back something to society and those less privileged then him, he has been a teacher to differently-abled children for many years now and is one of the founder members of ‘The People For Animals’. In 2008, he established The Anupam Kher Foundation- a public charitable trust, to spread education among less privileged children and to provide palliative care to people with life-limiting diseases. Through these interactions and associations, he has developed a sensitivity towards the plight of destitute children for whom enjoying their childhood becomes a luxury. This foundation is a tribute to these countless, nameless children and through this journey, he attempts to bring happiness to the lives of such children and ensure that they become agents of change in the society as they grow along the years.

• Movies (instituted in 2007-08)

Kajol (2008-09)

The endearing Indian actress, Kajol has several bees on her bonnet right now. Besides the fact that she is a professional, a wife and a mother, she also works side by side on her dream project - of opening an orphanage for deprived children in Mumbai. Her association with the deprived is a multifaceted one - Kajol is also the goodwill ambassador and patron of the UK based Loomba Trust, a charity devoted to educating widow's children, particularly in India. Attended by Kajol, the annual Diwali dinner organised by the trust raised 150,000 GBP for charity to provide scholarships for the children of poor widows in India

Rahul Bose(2007-08)

Rahul is one of the premier actors of alternative Indian cinema. Apart from working primarily on cinema that sends a message, noteworthy among his work in the social sector is his post-tsunami effort in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Subsequently, he successfully established his own NGO- The Foundation, which works on preventing discrimination of all kinds, with special focus on communal harmony, children and gender equality. He is a global ambassador of Oxfam, on the advisory board of 'Breakthrough', a New York-based NGO committed to gender equality and human rights, on the Board of the citizen venture- Citizens for Justice and Peace, and a global ambassador of the American India Foundation

• Music Band

Babush Santana(2011-12)

Babush is a legend in his own right- an ace instrumentalist who plays the Drums, Violin, Trumpet, Alto, Soprano and Tenor Saxophones and the Flute as well as a good singer. He and his brother, the legendary Jazz Saxophone great, the late Joe Santana, had the honour of being the only band to have represented India on four occasions at "Jazz Yatra"- the International Jazz Festival. Babush feels very strongly about giving back to the society. He has worked for creating awareness and raising monetary help for rehabilitation of people affected by the Bhopal gas tragedy and also Tsunami. He has organized various musical concerts and musical- theatrical performances for NGOs supporting multiple causes like upliftment of the poor and downtrodden, diabetes, underprivileged children with acute medical problems and women welfare. He also wants to create awareness about Multiple Scleriosis, of which he is himself a victim. He wants to raise funds for proper and correct treatment of Multiple Sclerosis patients, coupled with proper counseling for them and Their Families.

Indian Ocean-Asheem Chakravarty(2010-11)

Asheem was a man with golden voice. He was the co-founder of Indian Ocean band. He played traditional Indian percussion instruments in completely innovative ways, and even played rhythm structures on a bass guitar. Brought up in an atmosphere of Indian classical, folk and other Indian forms, Asheem showed his rhythmic spark at an extremely early age. Asheem was into osho, numerology, astrology, naturotherapy, yoga, mediation. Asheem was known to make people whose job required them to be intimidating, like a US visa officer or security guards, smile. The band is known for the Indo-rock fusion with jazz-spiced rhythms that integrates shlokas, sufism, environmentalism, mythology and revolution. Kandisa- an album released in March 2000 was one of the best-loved albums produced in India. Kandisa acquired cult status and propelled Indian Ocean into the status of one of India’s most original and creative bands. The band has played at several of the country's most prestigious venues including the Red Fort, the Gateway of India, Vasanthabba (Bangalore) and the Temples of Khajuraho.

Indian Ocean-Susmit Sen(2010-11)

Susmit is convinced that destiny is created on earth, not written in heaven or hell. Self-motivation and direction make lives, according to him, and he has certainly lived as per this dictum so far. Classical music interests him more than jazz or rock. The band is known for the Indo-rock fusion with jazz-spiced rhythms that integrates shlokas, sufism, environmentalism, mythology and revolution. Kandisa- an album released in March 2000 was one of the best-loved albums produced in India. Kandisa acquired cult status and propelled Indian Ocean into the status of one of India’s most original and creative bands. They are known to bring a new aspect to sound. Today, they are India’s leading global band. The international scene opened up dramatically for the band and they have played abroad across four continents: New Zealand, USA, UK, Japan, Australia and Indonesia. The band has played at several of the country's most prestigious venues including the Red Fort, the Gateway of India, Vasanthabba (Bangalore) and the Temples of Khajuraho. 

Indian Ocean-Amit Kilam(2010-11)

Amit is the only business-oriented person in the Indian Ocean band. He is fond of Indian culture and attends every single religious festival invented, or to be invented. Amit loves listening to various kinds of music – Hindi filmi, rock, pop etc. The band is known for the Indo-rock fusion with jazz-spiced rhythms that integrates shlokas, sufism, environmentalism, mythology and revolution. Kandisa- an album released in March 2000 was one of the best-loved albums produced in India. Kandisa acquired cult status and propelled Indian Ocean into the status of one of India’s most original and creative bands. They are known to bring a new aspect to sound. Today, they are India’s leading global band. The international scene opened up dramatically for the band and they have played abroad across four continents: New Zealand, USA, UK, Japan, Australia and Indonesia. The band has played at several of the country's most prestigious venues including the Red Fort, the Gateway of India, Vasanthabba (Bangalore) and the Temples of Khajuraho. 

Indian Ocean-Rahul Ram(2010-11)

Rahul is the most active amongst the Indian Ocean band members at live shows. He has been an activist and a supporter with the Narmada Bachao Andolan. By training, he is an environmentalist and he is also into ornithology. The band is known for the Indo-rock fusion with jazz-spiced rhythms that integrates shlokas, sufism, environmentalism, mythology and revolution. Kandisa- an album released in March 2000 was one of the best-loved albums produced in India. Kandisa acquired cult status and propelled Indian Ocean into the status of one of India’s most original and creative bands. They are known to bring a new aspect to sound. Today, they are India’s leading global band. The international scene opened up dramatically for th