ARTISTES 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR
- 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
D J Narain (2009-2010)
"Presently the front person and lead singer cum composer of one of India’s biggest Pop & Rock Band ‘The Aryans’, Dhamendra Jai Narain, popularly known as DJ Narain, has 5 successful albums , more than 800 concerts and numerous awards to his credit. Through his meaningful music, Narain has reached out to millions of Indians, especially the youth over the last decade. A youth & rock icon, he has also been a notable Civil Services officer and a professor of Mass Communication at the elite Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. He is perhaps the only person in India who can be dubbed as rockstar and civil servant simultaneously. A brilliant scholar throughout, Narain has been recipient of perhaps every single academic scholarship which Goveremnment had to offer. A keen student of economics as well, Mr Narain has also been a lecturer of Monetery Economics in Lucknow University, prior to joining the civil services and making it big as Aryans. A multifaceted personality , DJ Narain is one of the founders of Kshitij, an NGO in the field of non-formal education and universal health campaigns for over 7 years . He has always been very supportive of any initiatives taken in the field of literacy and shown active involvement in launching Universal Literacy campaigns in Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. In Delhi, he is actively supporting the cause of several NGO's to help raise awareness about their key domain issues . His book ‘Soldiering On’ is an anthology of the saga of Indian Armed forces during the last 100 years and has been widely reviewed and appreciated by the media".
Gautam Ghosh (2008-09)
Gautam Ghosh worked with Bangladesh’s leading Bengali-Rock vocalist Mac (Maqsood –al-Haq) from the most famous band in Dhaka called Feedback, on the country’s 25th independence anniversary and the album went on to become a mega hit. In 1997, his songs “fifty-fifty” and “ley sunn ley” from his human rights private album called “OPEN YOUR EYES” were labelled ‘anti-establishment’. In 2001 he was appointed an honorary Human Rights Ambassador by the British Council and brand ambassador by ACTION AID INDIA. He is the first Indian musician to be thus honoured. Under the British Council’s program on Human Rights, he toured UK and Europe with his songs and participated in the most prestigious Edinburgh Festival 2001, Notting Hill fest 2001 and the Bastille Day fest 2001 in Paris. The Gautam Ghosh collective has been promoting 9/11 every year as the Global ONEness Day, which began as the Sadbhavna (ONEness) movement with MTV and other partners in 2002
Ritika Sahni(2008-09)
Ritika has an exciting dual career - as a playback & pop singer and as a social activist. She not only sings as a professional, but also converges her talents towards the cause of disability. Being an active social worker as well as a disability activist, she is on the board of trustees of the NGO 'SAHAY' and is associated with similar organizations and people working in this field within the country and abroad. She is the secretary-trustee of her own welfare trust called TRINAYANI. She holds regular workshops for teachers, parents and students on disability related issues. Ritika was also a Consulting Communication Therapist in the Unicef project (2001-2003), undertaken by The Spastics Society Of India, and presently is a faculty member of their university affiliated Teacher Training Course on Special Education, which is also recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India. She is presently working on a series of books, which tries to take a small step towards erasing the lines between “us” and “them” through stories, character sketches of people with disabilities, and information handbooks that sensitize people to disability issues.
Bobby Cash(2008-09)
In these days of culture blending, Asian Indian Bobby Cash is a unique musician who has proved to the world that music knows no boundaries and that indeed it is a language that brings together people from different lands and different cultures. Bobby Cash is India's only Country Music Artist, he bears the honor of being the first Indian ever to release albums of Country Music. It was in Tamworth in 2003, that Bobby came to the World Stage. Starting with busking in the street, Bobby became the smash hit of the festival, drawing huge crowds to him. His documentary film has appeared on ABC Television Network, Discovery and other channels and has won Bobby many admirers. In 2005, Nashville called, after Bobby Cash was nominated in the Global Artist category by the CMA, where Bobby got a standing ovation from the President of the CMA, Ed Benson. Bobby has played at some of the top venues in Nashville, appeared on WSM Midnite Jamboree at E.T. Troubadour Theatre, and other places including Billy Bobs in Dallas, Fort Worth. This outstanding best selling Independent, continues to spread his music, proving to the world that music indeed is a common language.
Remo Fernandes (2007-08)
Remo is India’s leading and highest selling rock musician. Writing songs on socio-political protest from an early age onwards, Remo has risen far from where he started- hitch-hiking across Europe armed with nothing but his talent and his guitar, passing a hat around to earn for basic necessities. His songs have campaigned for responsible action against drug abuse, promiscuity leading to HIV- AIDS, awareness about SARS, bird flu and much more. Now an internationally renowned star, he has not only been awarded the Padmashree by the President of India, he has even played and sung with rock giants Jethro Tull and George Harrison.- Theatre
Lushin Dubey(2008-09)
Lushin Dubey is best known for her involvement in promoting children's theatre in Delhi and has always been engaged in some or the other social cause. 2005 saw her present her solo show Bitter Chocolate, dealing with the subject of child abuse. Never one to shy away from controversial topics, she says an effective play is one that moves the audience, something that this production sure did. Her innovative solo performance in 'Untitled' gave voice to a woman's plight in a world dominated by men, winning many accolades. Besides being the director of Theatre Group which has staged many plays in Delhi and other metros, Lushin has also acted in several TV serials, and an experimental production in New York called 'Chaos Theory'.Arvind Gaur(2008-09)
Arvind Gaur is the face of socially and politically relevant theatre today. Some of the core issues he deals with are Communalism, Caste Issues, Feudalism, Domestic Violence, Crime of State, Politics of Power, Violence, Injustice, Social Discrimination, Marginalization and Racism. This prolific theatre director has organized many theatre workshops for children in schools, slums and on the Street. In last 15 years he directed 52 plays with Asmita, collaborated with various theatre artists and worked with several organizations and forums. According to him, "Theatre has a purpose of awakening the audience to contemporary issue and creating a dialogue on prevailing social problems."
Sushma Veer (2007-08)
Sushma is a multi faceted and multi talented award-winning artist. She is a respected Actor, Dancer, Painter, Singer, Composer & Producer. She retired from acting in main stream cinema and now is solely concentrating on producing high quality and meaningful theatre and cinema through her brain child, Katha-kar. She is the founder-manager of an NGO, Akanksha, which works for the visually impaired children, children with special needs and cancer patients.
She produced a path breaking music video ‘KASH’ to raise funds for Akanksha. The video starts the biggest Indian sports stars, actors, musicians and eminent politicians.- Dance
Geeta Chandran (2008-09)
Dancer Geeta Chandran is a role model in the arts of social responsibility. Even while she upholds the pristine classicism of Bharatanatyam, she has ventured to make her dance relevant in both- the way she teaches the dance and in the way she performs it. She is the founder of Natya Vriksha, an institution that enshrines the highest value of Indian culture. Currently over hundred - including some from deprived backgrounds - are being trained in classical dance at Natya Vriksha. Geeta has constantly striven to create new spaces for the classical dancer of today. She continuously attempts to raise and spread social issues through her classical dance performances around the country and around the world to reach out to young audience and spread awareness and concern. She raised and highlighted issues like female infanticide, issues of stigma and discrimination in society, issues like terrorism, traumatizing children, discrimination based on caste and religion in society etc. Geeta Chandran leverages her position as a society leader and a role model.ART CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2009
- ART ENTREPRENEUR
Isha Singh
With over 18 years of work experience in cross-cultural global environment, Isha Singh has been successfully able to combine her passion for arts with her compassion for the unprivileged. A firm believer of giving back to the society, she has created Art Laureate, an art gallery that provides a platform for those artists who have not been fortunate enough to showcase their talent. She is an active volunteer for Literacy India, a registered NGO and has participated in various fundraising programs for them. Environment protection and drive against Corruption are the other two issues that she has been passionately working for. Her contribution to society has crossed national boundaries as she has extended her help to children in New Jersey and Bahrain. She has also been involved with the Standard Chartered Bank (Abu Dhabi), The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and PNC Bank (New Jersey).
ART CITIZENS KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2009
- VISUAL ARTIST
Ritam Banerjee
Ritam Banerjee is a professional photographer and it is his passion for his profession that gives his photography a whole new meaning. Photography, he says, is still about making positives out of negatives and when the going gets tough he uses his pictures brilliantly to bring the brighter side of life into focus. ‘A picture speaks a thousand words’ is not a cliché for him. He strongly believes that images are powerful tools of communication and he uses the lens to the best of his ability to illustrate how one can make a change rather than just complain. Be it the much hyped Slumdog Millionaire or the sensitive issues like 26\11 terror attacks, he makes sure that his pictures get across to the world what he perceives through his lens. Interestingly, he likes to see the glass half full as he believes that hope is the foundation of justice. He has big names like Citigroup, Deloitte, Microsoft, TATA Steel, Jet Airways etc. and now the ‘Incredible India’ campaign to his credit. Mr.Ritam shares his passion and knowledge with students at various colleges like Fergusson College, Symbiosis College, SIES College and has provided them with a platform to enhance their skills with equipments that were missing during his formative years.
SPORTS PEOPLE 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR
Bittoo Sondhi (2009-10)
Bittoo Sondhi, popularly known as Bittoo Bikewallah, started his life as a child labour. He went on to drive an auto rickshaw and later a truck but now he is an authorised dealer of world famous bikes Suzuki (Bittoo Suzuki). He pursued his dream to become a National and International bike racer, and is now supporting others to chase their dreams, whatever they may be, through “Dream on Wheels”. Bittoo’s passion for bike driving gave him the strength, not only to continue his bike racing even after multiple fractures, but also to fight the doctor’s decision to amputate his right leg due to cancer. He started participating in rallies from 1988 and still continues. Over the years he has participated approximately in 65 rallies, both national and International, like Great Desert Himalayan (GDH), Raid the Himalayan, South India Rally, Hot Weather Rally etc, always finishing in top 5 positions. His determination to give back to the society led him to motivate children and youth across India, through his association with organizations like Action Aid, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Smriti, UNICEF, Vikalp, World Comics and many more. He has supported diverse issues like disability, girl child, polio etc. He is also working for the peace, in conjunction with Gandhi Smriti and has organised the rally “Bike for peace”. He has also made a documentary film Chittee Hattiya. . Bittoo has voiced his concerns at every given opportunity and his perseverance has no periphery..
Malathi K Holla (2009-10)
Ms.Malathi K Holla is truly a Champion of Champions, a born athlete and a Bank Manager and Social Activist by profession. With a number of laurels to her name including the Padmashri Award, Arjuna Award, Ekalavya Award and many more, Ms.Malathi is an achiever in all fronts with a limitless capacity to excel in whatever she is engaged in. However, despite her own personal physical trials and challenges, Malathi has a laudable vision of reaching out to her fellow paraplegics and setting an example that life is surmountable no matter what, and that given courage, discipline, perseverance and an indomitable spirit, one can reach the most formidable of goals and that nothing is impossible. With the moral support of her friends, she has opened a Foundation called MATHRU FOUNDATION where she is providing free shelter, school and medical facilities to the poor and needy physically disabled children aged between 5-12 boys. With over 300 Gold, Silver and Bronze State/National/International medals at Paralympics/Asian/World masters/Open Athletic Championships in different parts of the world, she has an amazing “never say die” and an overwhelming spirit that defies the limits of human endeavor.
Mahesh Bhupathi and Shvetha Bhupathi (2007-08)
Mahesh Bhupathi is a ten-time grand-slam winner and Padmashree award winner. He together with his wife Shvetha Bhupathi has founded FIST- Foundation of Indian Sporting Talent - an open-ended trust that strives to raise funds from corporate houses and wealthy individuals to support young people who have the potential to become tennis champions, given the right training and exposure. It is a non-profit venture. The young aces that emerge from its training will contribute a percentage of their earnings to support the fund and its programs, thus ensuring ongoing relationships and building responsibility in young champions.
Gopichand Pullela(2007-08)
He is one of the brightest stars of Indian Badminton. An international athlete, he came under the spotlight when he refused a lucrative endorsement for a big cola company, insisting that values are more important than the money. He is also involved with various other causes including PETA.
KIDS 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR
Rijuta Lamba (2009-10)
A 12th standard student of Springdales School, Rijuta is closely associated with the issue of violence towards children. She was an integral part of CSE – a 5 day volunteer programme where she worked towards spreading awareness regarding eco friendly ways of living. Rijuta has been a part of the Gandhi Media Literacy Programme, an initiative by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti. She is the editor of THE YAMUNA, a quarterly newspaper that focuses on various social issues that plague society especially relating to violence towards children. This passionate young girl, all of 17, was featured on THE YOUTH EXPRESS, a show on Doordarshan. Rijuta also assisted NCERT on their media literacy training programmes.Aradhna Chhachhi (2008-09)
She is a fighter by birth. As a tiny pre-termer in the nursery ICU undergoing phototherapy, Aradhna fought with God and ensured her right to live. Today, a student in DPS Gurgaon, she enjoys her piano lessons after school, and hopes to be a good singer one day. Aradhna feels upset and helpless when children beg at her car window at traffic signals. She wants to put up stalls for coffee and lemonade (since those who can't have lemonade can have coffee, she says) and use the money she earns for helping little ones like her, those who don't have dads and mums to ask for money for education. Aradhna enjoys junk food, Salman Khan movies and music.Benzy Kumar (2007-08)
Benzy is a mentally challenged young girl. It is solely through her music that she is able to express herself. She has managed to overcome her challenges and develop into an internationally recognized child star with special abilities. She has received an Award citation from the President of India and many International embassies as well, and has performed in the presence of illustrious individuals including the Chief Minister of Delhi. Benzy is a shining example of strength in the face of adversity and is truly a special child.
Akhil Akkineni (2007-08)
Akhil started making a difference from the time when he was only a year old. He acted in a film called Sisindri, winning the hearts of all, and the proceeds from which went to build a hospital and shelter for animals in Hyderabad. Since then, Akhil has helped raise money, awareness and collecting items to help various causes.
Professional Citizen Karmaveer Puraskaar
Lawyer-Asim Sarode (2009-10)
The fire brand Human Rights activist, Advocate Asim Sarode is seeking to change the power equation between the judiciary, witnesses and victims. He is a leading criminal lawyer and it is his dynamic personality that is successfully spreading the wings of justice. He is a firm believer of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non violence and it is the non violent communication that is his main tool of work. Asim is well known for his remarkable socio-legal movements amongst the communities and has recently been elected for the internationally reputed ‘Ashoka Fellowship for the Innovators’ of Washington (USA). For the last ten years, he has been intervening in the courts with a socio-legal perspective so as to increase and strengthen the access to justice of the vulnerable groups. With the Human Rights and Law Defenders (HRLS), legal wing of Sahyog Trust, he has been working to make the judiciary people oriented. He represents and assists marginalized people who cannot afford to appoint a counsel in the court and is working to provide legal aid to the prisoners, victims of Domestic Violence, sex workers, People Living with HIV and children.
IT Professional- Partho Bhowmick (2009-10)
An IT professional, Mr.Partho Bhowmick got involved with social work just by accident. His passion for photography made him contact Evgen Bavcar, an accomplished blind photographer in Paris and then began his study on blindness and visual art. After his independent research on art by the blind, Mr.Partho started a workshop to teach photography to the visually impaired. With a lot of hurdles in his way, with hardly any support and just 1 student to begin with, he began his workshop inculcating the idea of “seeing through the eye of the blind”. His workshop was designed to trigger systematic visual thinking in the visually impaired and enhance their mental image formation. With time the workshop culminated into the “Blind With Camera” project and later the national traveling exhibition “Beyond Sight.” His efforts of bringing a change, changed him as a person and today, he believes that ‘the blind are not totally blind and reality is not totally real
Doctor- Ramesh Chandra Srivastava (2009-10)
Doctors are often referred to as ‘Gods in Disguise’ and Dr. Ramesh Chandra Srivastava has proved it right by dedicating his life to serve the poor and needy. It is astonishing to witness a long queue of patients outside his clinic every day. In his 40 years of practice he must have seen more than 36 Lac patients without charging a consultation fees and giving them free medicine. He works round the clock, six days a week and devotes his free time in organising medical camps for eye, polio vaccination and daily check -ups. He is an exemplary example of mobilising one’s profession for community benefit. Madhu Bhatnagar (2008-09)
As Deputy Head of the Shri Ram School, Madhu has charted out a clear course and laid emphasis on Education for Sustainable Development. She has created various initiatives like the zero garbage zone, water conservation and air pollution monitoring. Her endeavour is to change the attitude of children and the adult community towards the world. By her reckoning, "The world can look after itself - only if we stop harming it." She has dedicated her life to shaping young minds and hearts early, so that they grow to love, respect and protect natureShrenik Rao (2008-09)
Shrenik is the Founder and Creative Director of Dolsun Media. He is a keen environmental activist who has made a positive and meaningful contribution through his work and deeds. He has championed the need to plant trees, save the environment and fight global warming by his extraordinary environmental initiative - the ‘TreeCycle’. Dolsun Media has documented the ride and is in the process of making a documentary to raise awareness about environmental issues. His action exemplifies an extraordinary citizen initiative and has set a precedent for civic engagement.Raj Bhandare (2007-08)
Raj Bhandare is an architect, an artist, an entrepreneur. Fascinated by Indian spiritualism and symbolism, his paintings express the roots of Indian spiritualism. Influenced by the plight of our soldiers in Kargil, a plan for a T-shirt exhibition turned into a full-fledged company called Nirvana. Through his T-shirt company, he displays socio-political and cultural messages that are typically related to the Indian scenario, and publicise social ills in new and innovative ways
Media Citizen Karmaveer Puraskaar
Film Maker
- Mainstream
Onir (2009-10)
Onir is a filmmaker, producer, writer and editor who has constantly used his filmmaking skills effectively to create awareness about various causes. Be it the controversial issues like Homosexuality or the less spoken about issues like sodomy, his movies have certainly been a reflection of truth. His first film My Brother Nikhil, touched upon the sensitive issue of homosexuality and AIDS and was a breakthrough for the Gay community in India. Another issue that he strongly feels for and has been working for is that of Child Sexual Abuse in India and it was to bring about the gravity and seriousness of this issue that he conceptualized the movie – Abhimanyu. He has also been associated with 7 NGOs working for the cause of child Sexual Abuse. Currently he is working on a series of short films, all of which deal with important social issues like MEGHA which is about Kashmiri Pandits who have been refugees, OMAR which is about the significance of the verdict on Homosexuality, to name a few. He believes that the powerless have the strength of truth and courage and if they all stand against the wrong together, change is inevitable.
Pritish Nandy (2008-09)
Pritish Nandy began as a poet at the age of 16. In a decade, he had published 40 books and received a Padma Shri. Mr. Nandy was a Member of Parliament for 6 years, from 1998 till 2004. His outstanding work in heritage and restoration won him the UNESCO Heritage Award in 2006. A majority of the movies he directs are based on social issues. He has showcased and highlighted myriad social stigmas and social evils to the audiences through his films.Revathy (2007-08)
Revathy is an award winning actor and director of Indian films. Through the strong character roles she has played, she has managed to touch thousands of lives, especially of the oppressed Indian women. She has been working the disabled and the mentally ill, women and children through organizations including the Ability Foundation, the Banyan, Vidyasagar and the Tanker Foundation with whom she works for awareness about renal diseases and organ donation.- Contemporary Issues
Girish Joshi (2009-10)
Mr.Girish Joshi is a qualified software engineer and presently a filmmaker. He truly believes in using the mass entertainment pull of Hindi Films in propagating awareness of social issues. His films like ‘Zor Lagaa Ke Haiya’ have been an attempt at making people aware of the visible and alarming issues around them that mostly get ignored. This movie is the first commercial film ever in Bollywood to touch the environment issue in a very significant way and has also won various awards worldwide. Mr.Girish has also made several Corporate AVs for NGOs working for the mentally challenged children. He has a desire in him to harness his media experience for the welfare of the society as a whole.
Bhavna Talwar (2008-09)
A filmmaker striving to create a difference, Bhavna is the director of ‘Dharm’ - a story about a Hindu Pandit priest accidently adopting a Muslim child who challenges the very core of the priest’s belief system. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has commented that the film will go a long way to help create a secular nation.- Documentary
Ridhesh Sejpal (2009-10)
Mr. Ridhesh Sejpal is a documentary filmmaker and has been experimenting with the medium of cinema. At the age of 21, he has already directed marvelous documentaries on diverse social subjects and has always accumulated the essence of the appeal brilliantly. These documentaries and films have been globally recognized and awarded over the years. Mr. Ridhesh has also served as the Vice President, Community Service Director and a Volunteer for the Rotaract Club of Mulund.(Mumbai) He has coordinated several projects such as Aids Awareness Campaigns, Polio Dose Camps, Ban Plastic Camps, Relief to 7\11 Blast Victims & Film Screenings for BMC School Students. He also worked for the global warming issues as an active member of the Global Warming Research team for the Vidhyarthi Pratinidhi Mandal(Ruia College).
Nitin Das (2008-09)
A documentary filmmaker by profession, Nitin Das has created a niche for himself by addressing an issue of immediate international concern. His film on global warming is unique because it focuses on the solution rather than the problem. It offers a simple and effective way for every individual to make a difference. Films are a very powerful medium to reach out to the masses and change mindsets, and Nitin strives to do exactly that. The film has been on the main campaign page of the Billion Tree Campaign, seeing over 50,000 page hits every month. The film has also been screened in a number of conferences on Climate Change and Environment.
Akanksha Joshi(2008-09)
Akanksha Joshi is an emerging new talent in the field of documentary film making. She took on a project in January 2004, documenting a Satyagrah march in Orissa. The issue was Land Rights struggles across the state. She began to make a film on Chilika - Asia’s largest brackish water lake, India’s largest coastal lake and the largest wintering grounds for migratory birds in the sub-continent. In many ways, it can be said that this was the beginning of her ‘love affair’ with the lake and her people. She showcased violence, land grabbing, murders, and corruption - at every rung of the business around Chilika. She highlighted not a ‘mainstream’ or a ‘hot’ issue, but a very important one. By choosing an issue of global concern, she has made an everlasting impact on the viewers' minds.- Short Films
Geeta Kumar Singh (2009-10)
Geeta Singh, over the past 6 years, has been working on films on the impact of climate change and sustainable methods of combating the effects of global warming. An editor by profession, she now directs and produces films on subjects such as emancipation of women and the girl child, street children and education for all. For 2 consecutive years, she has been a member of the jury for selection of films for the UK Environment Film Fellowships, instituted by the British High Commission and the British Council in India. Her films have been finalists not only at the CMS Vatavaran environment film festival, but also the world renowned Panda Awards, at the Wildscreen film festival in the United Kingdom.
Avinash Kumar Singh (2009-10)
Avinash Kumar Singh, a writer / director / cinematographer by profession, has worked on films on the environment and climate change over the past 6 years. ‘Turtle on a Hammock films’, run by his wife Geeta and himself, consists of a team of young, enthusiastic and skilled professionals who deliver films that make a mark. Working extensively with a variety of NGO’s such as Action Aid, CARE, Frendicoes, Youthreach and Udayan Care, his efforts at making films that make a difference have been critically acclaimed and well received. He is also working on his 1st Hindi feature film with Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranvir Shorey.
Swati D’souza, Sehej Mantri, Sheetal Bhan, Aalap Deboor (2008-09)
These young students at the SIES College, Mumbai has been making socially relevant films for a year now. Her first film focused on the need for eunuchs to be appeased and treated as a part of the society. Her second film was based on female foeticide – portraying how a pregnant woman puts her foot down and resolves to give birth to her girl child by choosing not to bow down to societal pressure. Swati hopes to go a long way in seconding social causes that require immediate attention.Print Journalist
Tarun J Tejpal (2009-10)
Mr. Tarun J Tejpal is a journalist, publisher and novelist and in his 26-year career he has worked with India Today, Indian Express, The Telegraph and Outlook. In 2000 he started Tehelka, a news organization that has earned a global reputation for its aggressive public interest journalism. Mr. Tejpal has been listed as one of Asia’s 50 most powerful communicators and among 50 leaders at the forefront of change in Asia. His debut novel The Alchemy Of Desire was hailed as a "masterpiece", and his new one, The Story of My Assassins, has been termed "an instant classic". Both have been translated in more than a dozen languages worldwide. Both as a journalist and a writer, his work is seen as courageous and pathbreaking.
Umesh Anand (2008-09)
Umesh Anand is a journalist by profession. His last assignment was as the Resident Editor of the Times of India in Delhi. Umesh conceptualised Civil Society, a monthly magazine that was launched to track Indian change leaders. Through this venture, he has helped spread new ideas on green business, water, organic farming, alternative models in health and education, innovative use of information technology and traditional knowledge.
Rita Anand (2008-09)
A teacher by profession, Rita Anand switched to being a researcher and reporter on social issues in the nineties. Rita conceptualised Civil Society, a monthly magazine that was launched to track Indian change leaders. She has worked with the Centre for Science and Environment, the Women’s Feature Service and has studied urban slums and reproductive health under a Panos fellowship. She has built a loyal, national readership, thereby proving that Indians value free media and serious content.
Altaf Ahmed(2007-08)
He is a freelance journalist and a social activist with a special interest in human rights. He has been working for the last 25 years on communal and linguistic harmony, and peace and human rights. He has organized campaigns and written a number of articles on social issues like land rights, tribal rights, Indo-Pak harmony, environment, conservation of resources, etc. and has also been recognized by the Indian government for his services to the community.
Author
Gregory David Roberts (2009-10)
Gregory David Robert’s novel SHANTARAM has been acclaimed as ‘a masterpiece’ by a number of critics and reviewers across the globe. He has devoted much time, energy and money in helping to raise the health standard of the people living in the Cuffe Parade Zhopadpatti (Ambedkar Nagar). Gregory David Roberts works as an ethical consultant for major international corporations. Further, he has focused on employment and education related issues. He has himself funded ‘THE SHANTARAM’ initiative and never accepted from anyone. Mr. Gregory Roberts has been closely involved in providing free, open and universal education to the poor. His Shantaram initiative works towards educating poorest of the poor, in order to help break the poverty cycle that keeps families without access to education. He has also been working with like-minded charities like Akanksha and The Heart for India Foundation, to create positive synergies and expand his work.
Vandana Shah (2008-09)
This author believes in the philosophy "Care, Stand up, Do something and make a difference”. After participating in the Lead India campaign, she feels she has emerged a stronger and more empowered person. She has initiated the first ever support group in India named ‘360 degrees back to life’ for those going through a breakdown of relationships. She has also actively participated with an NGO that promoted a waste management technique endorsed by the United Nations.
Literary Consultant
Mita Kapur (2008-09)
Siyahi was founded by Ms. Mita Kapur along with a group of eminent members of the literati, who truly believed in the power of the written word. Ms. Kapur answered her true calling after graduating with honours from the University of Delhi by taking up a career in journalism with a purpose. She has fought relentlessly for the cause of the downtrodden and Dalits, and for cases of domestic child labour abuse. As a part of Siyahi, she doubles up as a literary agent along with conceptualising and directing literary events. She is also Advisor and Senior Consultant for Bookaroo – the first ever children’s literature festival in India, being held in collaboration with the German Book Office in November 2008. Other than social and human rights issues, she has written extensively about developmental and environmental issues, along with concerns within the publishing industry. Her commitment to making a difference was made apparent when she single-handedly volunteered and put together an unprecedented Indian International Literary Festival.
Student Citizen Karmaveer Puraskaar
Jithin C Nedumala (2009-10)
Jithin C Nedumala is the founding member of Make a Difference (MAD) and is currently involved with the organization. An IIM Lucknow alumnus, he has successfully utilized his people management skills to organize the activities of his organization by coordinating between the orphanages and volunteers. He has been involved in imparting education in various orphanages and has personally conducted more than 1500 hours of classroom sessions. Today, MAD functions in 11 cities across India and it is his vision to extend his activities to more cities and centres and thereby provide quality service to a larger community. His organization has given a platform for the interaction between the children and the youth who want to help. From career guidance to financial help, Jithin has been constantly directing his efforts for the welfare of these children. He truly has the potential to ‘right every wrong’ in the Indian context and bring a change for the better.
Dhirendra Pratap Singh (2009-10)
Dhirendra Pratap Singh, a master’s student in Development Studies, realised the significance of youth involvement in social issues and awareness programmes and hence established an organisation "Milaan- Be the Change" in 2007. His approach to illiteracy and social dignity is marked by his organization’s commendable work in the area of education. The project started with 10 students and 1 teacher and now they reach out to more than 100 children. Through various educational and life skills workshops for children and adult, the project has been successful in covering 500 families. Vocational training, a principal constituent of the programme, has guided 400 unemployed youth in Delhi and also been a mechanism to get them placed in several retail chains. His commitment to the cause of social development brought him numerous honours like Youth Ambassador for Peace Award, year- long fellowship ‘ Change Looms’ by Ashoka anspelling mistakes ald Pravah to name a few
Inir Pinheiro(2008-09)
After completing his PG in rural management from XIM, Bhubaneshwar, Inir went on to conceptualize ‘Grassroutes’ - Community Managed Rural Tourism. This is a model of responsible tourism where Local people (Service Providers) are trained to accommodate tourists in their environment, showcasing their culture, tradition, nature and lifestyles.A young, vibrant force to be reckoned with, Inir endeavours to change the face of the rural tourism industry. He feels that the purpose of every endeavour is not to win - but to get people to join you in the movement.
Ishita Chaudhry (2007-08)
Ishita is the Founder and Director of The Youth Parliament, a multi stakeholder platform that is committed to developing the uninhibited expression of young people. Ishita’s primary objective with The YP is to develop the innovative ventures by young minds, so as to bridge the existing gap between young people and their environment by creating a platform for their ideas, opinions and talent. Her work has been recognised and applauded by a number of national and international organisations, including a UN agency for her work on HIV AIDS.