- DISABILITY
Akhil Paul (2010-11)
Akhil Paul has been working extensively for the education and rehabilitation of deafblind people, people who have combination of vision as well as hearing difficulties. Armed with an education in social work and a specialization in working with people with multiple sensory impairments, he is the Director, Sense International (India) since 1997. Akhil was instrumental in setting up the organizations operations across India, planning strategy and financial systems, putting together a team, establishing systems of monitoring & evaluation, fundraising and reporting to funders. Akhil has played a pivotal role in making deafblind people (who can neither see, hear or speak) a known entity in the country. He took up the challenge when not even handful of people knew what deafblindness was and nurtured the movement to the extent that services increased from 1 in 1997 to 40 today in 19 states of the country. Today with the partner network, Sense International (India) is transforming lives of more than 37,000 deafblind people and ensuring their rightful inclusion in our society. Under Akhil's able leadership, Sense International (India) has become a synonym for deafblindness and has created networks of teachers; deafblind adults and their families. Akhil has succeeded in creating a dedicated team to ensure that deafblind people are 'seen & heard'. Previously, he was the Senior Projects Coordinator at the National Association for the Blind. He has also received the prestigious HSBC-Indo British Award- 2003 for outstanding services to deaf-blind people. His service to the differently-abled extends to writing for them - Akhil has contributed several chapters to various books and manuals for their education and rehabilitation, presented papers and articles at national and international conferences and co-authored the Manual on Community based Rehabilitation for the Blind People's Association, Ahmedabad.
Syed Sallauddin Pasha (2010-11)
Syed Sallauddin Pasha is revered as ‘Father of Indian Therapeutic Theatre for persons with disabilities’. He is a trained Bharatanatyam and Kathak Dancer and Choreographer, Theatre Director and Actor. He created Ability Unlimited– India’s first professional traditional dance company to integrate highly skilled dance-theatre with sustainable development. For Guruji Pasha, theatre is the all-encompassing universal vehicle for his creative vision. As a therapist he has successfully conducted thought provoking therapeutic theatre workshops for people with disabilities, special educators, therapists, mental health professionals, universities, special needs institutions in India and Abroad. He was first one to conduct therapeutic workshop for the Tsunami victims (Andaman, Nikobari, Katchal and Ranchi tribes) at Anadman and Nikobar Islands. This project was commissioned by UNESSCO. For the past 25 years, through his innovative methodology, direction and choreography, he has efficiently executed 100 Mega Therapeutic Theatre Productions bringing hope, confidence and zest to the people with disabilities around the world. Guruji Pasha worked as international Scholar at Cornell University, Special pedagogic dance theatre director at many special schools in Finland. He is a recipient of National Award from the President of India for outstanding performance in the field of empowerment of persons with disabilities and world record holder from 'Limca Book of World Records' for creating 100 dance theatre productions and 10,000 performances by persons with disabilities across the globe. His pioneering efforts have won National and International recognition.
Anjlee Agarwal (2009-10)
Anjlee Agarwal, Founder & Executive Director of Samarthyam is involved in disseminating Accessibility Awareness through a novel model which primarily focuses on enabling inclusion of persons with disabilities to access education, tourism, transportation and environment, devoid of any hindrance. Learning from painful struggles and social stigma Anjlee, a disabled Activist and Access Consultant, realized that most of the tourist sites lacks accessibility for disabled and the elderly. She has been catalyst in re-designing the infrastructure set up of Dilli Haat, Delhi Metro Stations, Bus Rapid Transit System, Bus stops and many more public places to make them more users friendly and universally accessible. Furthermore, she is striving hard to get persons with disabilities recognized in the mainstream society by empowering them on disability issues and taking up research projects on Right of Way, Pedestrian infrastructure and Transit systems. As Master Trainer, she continues her work with to sensitize public & stake holders; capacity building of community and bring a wave of celebration in the human race which crosses the boundaries of differences.
Sanjeev Sachdeva (2009-10)
Honorary Founder and Project Director of Samarthyam, Mr, Sanjeev Sachdeva has been working for the disabled with utmost sincerity. He is presently working on various projects to promote barrier free environment for disabled persons. Since 1996, he has successfully organized more than 60 tours for persons with sever disabilities promoting the concept of Barrier-Free Tourism. In Samarthyam, he has been actively involved with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation thereby promoting a user-friendly system for all. He has been responsible for organizing several workshops and conferences and has been successful over time in spreading awareness and gathering much needed attention towards the issue of accessibility.
Divya Arora (2008-09)
As a differently-abled person, Divya Arora had to face struggle and painful blows of society’s social stigma, humiliation and attitude of non-acceptance. With determination to put an end to all this, she chose the entertainment industry as an actress, director and writer, to bring about awareness and create sensitivity for the cause through theatre. Divya Arora has taken on the lead role on a wheelchair with equal zest, only to achieve the described aim - travel with a meaningful production across frontiers and request society to encourage, promote and support the continuity of the same. She is also empanelled with India’s largest cultural organization - the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) as an artist, director and actor representing the country on the global cultural map.Shanti Raghavan ( 2007-08)
She is the Founder and Managing Trustee of Enable India. Her first encounter with disability was when her brother became visually impaired. After his successful rehabilitation, she established Enable India with her husband to help people with disability live wholesome lives. Since then, she has “enabled” rehabilitation and employment opportunities for numerous people with disabilities, and aims at helping them to create a confident and independent future for themselves.- HIV
Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing (2009-10)
Dr.Chinkholal Thangsing is currently the Asia Pacific Chief for AIDS Healthcare Foundation and heads programs in India, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vietnam and Nepal. He is a clinician, an activist and a management expert who has been dedicated to his work in the field of HIVAIDS since 1990. He has dedicated his career, personal life and resources to the fight against HIV/AIDS and has contributed to the treatment of over 15000 patients in India and Asia region. With over 25 years of medical experience, he has been successful in providing treatment consultations, conducting training workshops, spreading awareness on HIV management, sensitization and education of healthcare professionals, provision of ARVs drugs to people living with HIV\AIDS. An excellent communicator, he has immense flair and faith in the quality work that he does
Dr. Ashok Rau (2008-09)
Dr. Rau is an exemplary example of positivity and a change agent, who has helped in creating awareness and de-stigmatisation of AIDS/HIV. Dr. Rau is the founder of Freedom Foundation. He consults and supports PLWHAs and works for the recognition of their rights. He is an MA (Psychology) and PhD, and his approach to HIV/AIDS is marked by compassion for humanity and the recognition of the rights of deprived communities and individuals. He was appointed by the Honourable President of India to join the National AIDS committee and the technical Resource Group on Legal & Ethical issues on HIV/AIDS. Today, the foundation is considered to be the largest service delivery NGO in substance abuse and HIV/AIDS sector in India. It has also spread its reach to countries like Nigeria and Botswana.- HEALTH
Dr. K Srinath Reddy (2009-10)
Dr. K Srinath Reddy is presently the President of the Public Health Foundation of India. He has shown exemplary social commitment in advancing public health on many fronts by enhancing health awareness among youth through innovative programs like HRIDAY-SHAN, spearheading national and global movements for tobacco control, conducting worksite based on health promotion programs across India, assisting National Human Rights Commission of India in advancing health as a human right and finally establishing the Public Health Foundation of India. Through his dedication and hard work, he desires to bring about a revolution in our country’s overall health response.
- EDUCATION
Manju Bharatram (2009-10)
Mrs. Bharat Ram is the Founder and Chairperson of the innovative Shri Ram Schools in India, which started with the objective of developing each student’s potential to the fullest by giving equal emphasis to academics with cultural and social activities. She is also the Chairperson of Educare, a non-profit consultancy working to transform school education by incorporating relevant competencies for the future, through workshops, seminars to name a few. Mrs. Bharat Ram has also been working for children with disabilities and the blind for over forty years now. She has been involved in fund raising, planning and vocational training for the underprivileged children. She is currently on the board of LEAD International – a global organization committed to Sustainable Development through capacity building and issue-oriented action projects. Her diverse efforts for so long have been duly recognized and appreciated over the length and bredth of our country.
- COMMUNITY WELFARE
Jyothi Raj (2010-11)
Jyothi Raj's commitment and involvement with the poor and the destitute started at the tender age of 14. A post graduate degree in Sociology and a diploma in human resources management have furthered her desire to serve the people of India. Her pioneering work as the co-founder-director of the Rural Education for Development Society (REDS) has been recognized globally. Jyothi is also the co-founder of the Booshakthi Kendra Charitable Trust. She has addressed several conferences and conducted innumerable workshops both in India and abroad on rural development, empowerment of women and the social, financial and spiritual upliftment of Dalits. Jyothi puts her passion for social service into writing as well - she is the co-author of the famous books "Cosmosity" on Dalit spirituality, Dalitocracy and DYCHE, The Dalit Psyche and has penned several articles on various issues that afflict society. Jyothi has been awarded the Deshasnehi Award by the India Development Foundation, the Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Award, the CROWDS organization and the Voice of Dalit International in England.
M.C. Raj (2010-11)
Affectionately known as Appaji, M.C. Raj is the co-founder of the Rural Education for Development Society (REDS) and the Booshakthi Kendra, the International Dalit Cultural Center. Having devoted his life to the pursuit of providing Dalits with a voice, he has initiated numerous campaigns for the social upliftment of the downtrodden masses. Some recent initiatives include the World parliament of Indigenous Peoples, the Campaign for Electoral Reform and the Dalit CDM Project. His extensive writings on Dalits and the issues that concern them are widely read - Dalitology, A book of Dalit Science, Cosmosity, Dalithink - An Adventure into Dalit Philosophy; Dalitocracy, Theory and Practice of Dalit Politics; Dyche -The Dalit Psyche are only a few of his internationally recognized works. M.C. Raj received the Ambedkar International Award, 2009 for his book Dyche and the Ambedkar Award in 2001 from the Karnataka Government. He has addressed thousands of people at various conferences and gatherings globally and is credited with providing Dalit social, political and cultural issues with an international platform.
Anouradha Bakshi (2009-10)
Anouradha Goburdhun Bakshi shunned all the luxuries of the world to hear the voice of her conscious which was asking her to answer the WHY within. A Baccalaureate from the University of Grenoble, she is working as a selfless spirit to unlock the floodgates to provide dignity to the underprivileged ones. She founded the Sri Ram Goburdhun Charitable Trust in 1998 and began its activities in the year 2000 in the slums of Giri Nagar, South Delhi to uplift the urban slum communities. Her Project WHY, which started with spoken English classes to just 40 slum kids, today, reaches out more than 800 children and has transformed the lives of many. Three early education programmes, one day care for 22 children and young adults with disabilities, primary and secondary school and other vocation programmes for women and differently- abled children brings in a true core of her fight to strengthen the poverty wounded segment in the social order. The alumni of her project, who are now able to sustain a better living, are the testimony of her conviction, contribution and care to the society.T. K. Mathew (2008-09)
After working in the department of horticulture and agriculture, Mr. Mathew worked for 14 years as the Director of Caritas India. He joined the "Sarva Seva Farms" movements and continuously worked there for 9 years. Mr. Mathew has been a very active member of the Karol Bagh St. Thomas Marthoma Church, and held the position of Secretary during 1978-79. He was instrumental in initiating Deepalaya in Delhi, along with 6 other Marthomites. Deepalaya has become the largest operating Social organization (NGO) in Delhi, working out of 76 slums in Delhi, 214 villages in Haryana and 16 villages in Uttaranchal. Mr. Mathew is also a board member of International Forum for Child Welfare, a network of NGOs from over 50 countries.- FUND RAISING
Wg. Cdr Sasanka Roy Choudhury (2010-11)
With more than 19 years of experience in fundraising and resource mobilization at both the national and international levels, Mr. Choudhury is a very well-known and well-respected personality in the social development sector. A multi-lingual post graduate aeronautical engineer and diploma holder in sales and marketing management and in computer science and system analysis, he is presently the CEO of the Haemophilia Federation, India. Besides, he has been the Director, Resource Mobilization at Deepalaya, the Country Head, Resource Mobilization at Global Cancer Concern India and Help age India, and Senior Manager for Technology Development with Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA), a high profile NGO engaged in finding technological solutions for environment protection, design and production of eco-friendly products for building materials, textiles amongst others. An active Rotarian, Mr. Choudhury is also on the board of the Delhi Chapter of the Alzheimer and Related Disorders Society of India, and associated with the I-Care Charitable Hospital, NOIDA and South Asian Fund Raising Group.
Noshir Dadrawala (2009-10)
Mr.Noshir is presently the CEO of the Mumbai based Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy and has been involved in this field for nearly a quarter of a century, building capacity for the voluntary sector across the country through training programs, consultancy service (mostly pro bono), writing and publishing useful resource books and enabling the growth of philanthropy by promoting research, networks and healthy partnerships across all sectors. He exploited the hidden potential and good intentions of the voluntary sector and provided it with professionalism and management skills to operate in a manner that could prove accountable, transparent and within the framework of the complex charity laws in this country. Mr.Noshir has also been involved in conducting various capacity building workshops across the country. He is trustee of Charities Aid Foundation (India), Resource Alliance (India), India Sponsorship Committee, Make A Wish Foundation (India), Chronic Care Foundation, Forbes Foundation and the Bombay Parsi Panchayat.General Surat Sandhu (2008-09)
SAFRG is the only Indian NGO working in Capacity Building and creating Fundraisers. In the last 4 years Gen. Sandhu has lifted this fledgling organization to a reputable NGO. He has conducted three very successful International Workshops, re-establishing the need to create greater awareness and a movement towards recognising fundraising as a career in India and South Asia. Gen. Sandhu, through his work, has been able to bring home to NGOs the importance and urgency with which fundraising has to be incorporated in their work. Gen. Sandhu took pre-mature retirement from the Army to become the Director General at HelpAge India. He has done extensive work in the Super Cyclone in Orrisa, the Bhuj Earthquake and recently during the Tsunami in South Asia. He remains committed to the betterment of the voluntary sector and is determined to make a huge change in the sector.- EDUCATION, HEALTH AND EMPOWERMENT
Dr. Kiran Modi (2010-11)
Dr. Kiran Modi has been deeply involved in social service for more than 3 decades. Her deep interest in theatre and commitment to grooming the future of India- its children, led her to found Umang, a children’s theatre group in New Delhi. Umang worked primarily with disadvantaged children. Dabbling briefly in television as a hostess and breakfast TV show presenter, she also launched Neighbourhood Star, New Delhi’s first community newspaper. In 1994, Kiran initiated Udayan Care, an organization for parenting abandoned, orphaned and abused children. Udayan Care has several activities through which it takes care of underprivileged women and children – Udayan Ghars - the Residential Programme for orphaned and abandoned children, Udayan Shalini Fellowship Programme, Udayan Care Computer training and Vocational Training Centres, the Udayan Outreach Programme, and Advocacy, volunteer and Internship programmes. Udayan, literally meaning eternal sunshine and care in Sanskrit, has transformed the lives of more than 7000 children across the country. The organization won the CSO Partners’ Outstanding Annual Report Award for transparency and accountability in the non-profit sector two years in a row.
Mamoon Akhtar (2009-10)
Mamoon Akhtar is the Founder-Secretary of Samaritan Help Mission, a voluntary, non-profit organization located in Tikiapara, one of the worst slums of Howrah. SHM is committed for the empowerment of poor children and women through education, vocational training, and spreading health awareness through its health centre and by providing micro-finance to needy women and turning them into small scale entrepreneurs. His mantra in life is to ‘Never, Never, Never Give up’ and he firmly believes that change will come and he constantly works towards it. He has been actively involved in trying to bring a change in the Muslim community through education and empowerment. His objective is to infuse nationalistic feeling in the children from Childhood through education. Mamoon is a true nationalist and humanist and has been trying his best to bring the Muslim community in the main stream of national progress. He has politely but firmly turned down the offers of help exclusively for the education or welfare of the Muslim children. All SHM projects are open to all community and religions and no distinction is made on the basis of caste, community or religion. Promoting women empowerment by boosting their earning capacity and economic independence and family planning are the other two issues he has been passionately working for. He has been
featured in the most prominent English Newspaper of India viz. Times of India on 25th December 2005 in the special report entitled “India’s Idols - Uncommon Heroes: Legends In Our Midst”. He is one of the six heroes selected from all over India.
Shobha Murthy (2008-09)
Shobha Murthy, the founder trustee of Aarambh, a Navi Mumbai based NGO working for empowerment of communities of migrants, has over 12 years of dedicated experience in social work. By profession she is an accountant - auditor with over 10 years of corporate experience. She has quit her corporate career, and is working among the tribals of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Today, under her guidance, Aarambh works with over 2000 families of poor migrants in areas of education, health and empowerment. 2000 children have access to free education in government and private schools. Youth have found jobs in large and well known corporates such as Sandoz P Ltd, JP Morgan Chase, etc. More than 400 women are self employed and operate their own bank accounts. Several foreign universities send their MBA and Social Work students to Aarambh, to study their approach to community empowerment.- WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND CHILD LABOUR
Nusrat Naqvi (2008-09)
Rising with immense struggle from lower middle class society, Nusrat Naqvi has been working for the education of deprived children, women empowerment and child labour. Devoting sixteen years of rich and extensive years in these areas, Nusrat Naqvi stands out as an emblem of immense dedication towards the cause and works hard to achieve her goals successfully. She has actively contributed to various institutes, programmes such as Ajmer Prodh Shikshan Samity, PIPFPD; handled various projects related to women empowerment, child labour, Education etc. She has actively participated in uncountable voluntary work regarding these issues and has brought about a lot of development and change in these sectors over the years.- ANIMAL WELFARE & ENVIRONMENT
Anuradha Sawhney (2010-11)
Anuradha Sawhney's love for animals and nature began in school, when she would go hungry as she fed her lunch to stray animals and birds. Throughout a flourishing corporate career, she remained involved in animal welfare issues. Anuradha joined PETA as assistant campaign coordinator in 2000, and was quickly promoted to Chief Functionary, a post that she held for 9 years. Under her leadership, PETA India is now a special Invitee to the Legal Sub Committee of the Animal Welfare Board of India, reported extensively on the malpractices in the leather industry (which led to an international boycott of Indian leather by over 40 companies), milk industry and chicken industry, managed the rescue of over 100 animals including lions and tigers, from circuses and zoos across the country, placing them in rescue centres, and successfully banned the entry of elephants into 16 states of India. Recipient of several awards, she is regarded as the leading authority by national and international media where animal rights and welfare issues for India are concerned.
Pradeep Kumar Nath (2010-11)
Pradeep Kumar Nath’s objective in life is to provide justifiable and meaningful rights due to all living species leading to a balanced ecology and sustainable environment. And to that end, he founded Visakha Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1996. Amongst other significant achievements, the organization has been able to stop the brutal killings of street dogs and adopt an Animal Birth Control Program, save and protect cattle from illegal slaughter houses, protect and conserve endangered sea turtles and migratory birds, started mobile ambulance services for animal rescue and set up vermicompost and biogas plants. It has also included animal welfare topics in municipal schools, conducted training programs to individuals, organizations and farmers to promote biodiversity. For his work, Pradeep has received several wards including the David Shepherd Wildlife Conservation Award, USA, Ministry of Environment and Forests “Resource Person” award and the Gold Medal from The Winsome Constance Kindness Trust, Australia.
Nigel Otter(2008-09)
Nigel Otter believes that every act counts and that every single individual can make a difference, if they really want. He is an outstanding example of that himself, working selflessly for the cause of animals and nature, never leaving an unjustified issue not attended. He has tremendous and numerous achievements in stopping illegal poaching of elephants, illegal tapping of electricity, stopping stone quarrying, exposing hunting of livestock and stopping poisoning of tigers. Nigel has dedicated his life for the welfare of animals and nature in the Nilgiris. His work and achievements in the fields of animal health, welfare and nature conservation have directly benefited thousands of people in the rural villages in the Nilgiris. He doesn’t just believe in a better world but he actually makes the world better everyday through his actions.- WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Geeta Seshamani (2009-10)
Co – Founder of Wildlife SOS, an NGO and Vice-President of Friendicoes SECA (Society for Eradication of Cruelty to Animals), Geeta Seshamani believes that we must do all we can to protect and conserve the rich array of wildlife, which calls the habitats of India its home. She has been deeply involved with animal welfare and wildlife conservation for over thirty years. Her efforts towards her cause have been well appreciated and successful over the length and breadth of the country. Through her organizations, she has established the first Stray Animal Birth control centre, organized several animal welfare-training programs across India and established various sanctuaries, facilities and centres in collaboration with the state governments and forest departments. Her work also serves to uplift people, giving them opportunities they may never otherwise have known. Be it the tongawallas, or the Kalandars and saperas, Mrs. Geeta Seshamani has constantly tried to generate income for them by the intervention of free education, free veterinary services and opportunities to earn better. It is her passion for her cause that has successfully been able to convert men from hardcore poachers to extremely caring people, when it comes to Wildlife, by teaching them how to handle animals delicately and carefully. With over thirty years of her involvement for her cause, it is safe to say that her work has inspired others to follow the path of peaceful co-existence.Kartick Satyanarayan (2009-10)
Mr.Kartick Satyanarayan is the co-founder of Wildlife SOS and a partner at Friendicoes SECA (Society for Eradication of Cruelty to Animals). According to him, protecting, helping and conserving wildlife in India must be prioritized as humans and animals must co-exist. It is because of this that his work symbolizes “social justice and citizen action”. An interesting work to his credit is that of convincing the Kalandars (a tribe) to give up poaching of bear cubs from the wild in exchange of providing their children with free education and providing them with an alternative livelihood. His organization constantly fights poaching through a network of informers across the country. While Mr.Kartick’s and his organization’s primary focus is animals and wildlife, they also work to serve and uplift people, giving then opportunities they may never have known otherwise. Despite the major skepticism that he faces at every step, he leaves no stone unturned to make his efforts worthwhile.Nanda Rana (2007-08)
He runs Bandhavgar Jungle Camp, the first privately operated jungle safari in India. A wildlife enthusiast specializing in tigers, he spends most of his time in the forests, tracking and photographing tigers, and also filming them. His work on conservation and films on tigers have been widely recognized and applauded. He has joined hands with National Geographic, Discovery, BBC, etc. in the past as a Wildlife Consultant.Dr. Latika Nath Rana (2007-08)
She is one of India’s foremost experts on tigers, and the first woman to be awarded a doctorate in tiger conservation. One of the few women in a male-dominated environment, she is deeply committed to the cause of the tigers. Dubbed “The Tiger Princess” by National Geographic, she works closely with her husband Nanda Rana in the forests of Kathmandu.- PEACE AND HARMONY
Armando Gonsalves (2009-10)
Mr.Armando Gonsalves is presently the owner of Heritage Jazz, Trancemedia, Armando Gonsalves & Associates and the Chairman of Spirit of Goa Charitable Trust. Through Heritage Jazz shows he has conducted several fundraising programs for Tsunami victims, National Association for the Blind, orphanages and various NGO’s in Goa. He is closely involved with the Heritage field especially towards bringing more attention to the heritage homes in Goa, many of which are in a state of ruin. For this, he has personally forfeited business profits to ensure that this heritage continues. Environment protection and fund raising for musicians and sportsmen are the other areas that he has been deeply involved with. He has been continuously involved with taking music and quality education to schools via various workshops. Through his Spirit of Goa organization, he organized a peace concert and several candle light vigils post the 26\11 terror attacks in Mumbai – all of which revolved around the common agenda of Peace.
- CANCER
Harmala Gupta(2008-09)
In 1996, Harmala founded CanSupport, an organization that has delivered high quality and compassionate care, free of cost, to more than 12000 cancer patients and their families. She has tried to create a caring and supportive society, where people with cancer and their families live with dignity, hope and comfort.- CARE FOR THE ELDERLY
Sailesh Mishra (2008-09)
Sailesh Mishra aspires to provide wide range of need-based services for all the elderly, irrespective of social and financial background. True to his motto, "Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you”, he works to strengthen their legitimate place in society and help them to live with purpose, dignity and peace. Sailesh is addressing the problem through his website Silver Innings (www.silverinnings.com) and by starting an NGO for the elderly called ‘Silver Inning Foundation’. - SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS AND CAMPAIGN STRATEGIST
Sharad Sharma (2009-10)
Sharad Sharma is currently a Delhi based free-lance cartoonist and comics’ trainer. He is the founder and current Secretary General of World Comics India, an organization which promotes comics as a communication tool in remote and difficult areas. His endeavor has been to reflect, through his work, various current social issues that require attention. His work has been appreciated both nationally and internationally. Mr. Sharma was awarded an Ashoka Fellowship in 2005 for introducing Grassroots Comics as a socially innovative development communication tool and Real Heroes Award-2008 instituted by CNN IBN. Most of his comic workshops have been organized for activists working in NGOs and involved with various movements. Some of the issues that he has worked for are Human Rights, Children’s Rights, Farmer’s Issues, Youth Issues, The Disabled and Tribal’s Rights to name a few. His cartoon strip Developmentoon deals with the issue of development.
Meenakshi Madhwani (2008-09)
Meenakshi set up Vanashakti in August 2007, to educate people about the impact of the Forest Rights Act. This was a public information initiative. Soon after the success of this venture she conceptualized SAC - Spatial Access Communications - a Communications Consultancy that works exclusively for not-for-profits & NGOs. She advocates the theory that the power of one is very real and one person can in fact make a difference. With this conviction & commitment, she has set off to test her ideals & beliefs. The idea has got overwhelming support and she has confidence that she will strive to make a difference.- SOCIAL VENTURE MENTORING
Varun Sahni (2008-09)
Varun Sahni is the Director of Acumen Fund, India. Acumen Fund is a NewYork based global social venture capital fund that invests debt and equity in enterprises, having developed goods and services for low income communities in the water, health, housing and energy sectors. He is responsible for Acumen Fund’s global pipeline of investments, ensuring deal movement to the global investment committee. Earlier he was a consultant in project Shakti in Hindustan Lever Ltd. He developed partnership networks with multiple NGO’s and State Governments to scale project Shakti’s direct distribution network to over 35,000 villages, through 12,000 entrepreneurs. He was a programme associate with Care India. Designed proposals and secured USD 6 Million in funding from UK and US based multilateral donor agencies for projects in enterprise development and disaster mitigation. - ENTREPRENEURSHIP/TRANSFORMATION
Emmanuel Upputuru (2009-10)
Emmanuel Upputuru is currently the National Creative Director of Publicis India. He has been in the advertising industry for around fifteen years now. However one genre that has always been close to his heart is the social sector. And throughout his career he has developed pro-bono campaigns for clients like Sambhavna Trust that was founded for Bhopal Gas Tragic victims, National Association for the Blind and Action Aid campaign for the marginalized sections of the society and an award-winning domestic violence campaign for Breakthrough. It is through his communication skills, that he has been promoting citizen action. Lately this has been done through his ‘Let Gandhi Talk’ campaign for ‘In Gandhi’s Shoes’ project. He believes that connecting people to Gandhi’s example of nonviolent leadership is the best way to promote citizen action, as it provides a more accessible model of leadership and change that is open to all. This campaign has not only started a new conversation around Gandhi in schools and colleges but also won laurels at Cannes Award Festivals – the Oscars of advertising. He believes that it is important to inspire young people to explore options of nonviolent change and leadership to build a better world around us.
Shailendra Uniyal(2009-10)
Shailendra Uniyal has worked as an advertising copywriter, documentary filmmaker, television producer and program manager for the cricket for peace project. It is through his communication skills, that he has been promoting citizen action lately. This has been done through the ‘Let Gandhi Talk’ campaign and ‘In Gandhi’s Shoes’ project. Mr.Shailendra believes that connecting people to Gandhi’s example of nonviolent leadership is the best way to promote citizen action as it provides a more accessible model of leadership and change that is open to all. This campaign has not only started a new conversation around Gandhi in schools and colleges but also won laurels at Cannes Award Festivals – the Oscars of advertising. He believes that it is indeed important to inspire young people to explore options of nonviolent change and leadership to build a better world around us.
Rajendra Misra (2008-09)
R K Misra, an IIT Kanpur/ Tokyo University graduate, has been a serial entrepreneur. Having spent substantial time in Japan, where he completed his master’s degree and started his first business venture, Rajendra decided to move back to India in 1995. He established SAHYOG – Indian Council for Public Private Partnership, a PPP advocacy organization to facilitate policy framework and implementation of PPP initiatives across the country. He took a constructive and socially responsible approach to deliver Karnataka’s first set of PPP projects by building 3 major four lane roads (measuring around 30 Kms, costing in excess of Rs. 30 Crores) in most congested corridors, involving large sums of money and coordination. This experiment was first of its kind in the country, where road users and beneficiaries paid for 50% of the cost. In 2008, he was also chosen as the winner of Lead India initiative of Times of India. Rajendra is now working on the Change India Movement, founded by him.- RESPONSIBLE AND INVOLVED PHILANTHROPY
Rohini Nilekani (2009-10)
Ms. Rohini Nilekani is the Founder-Chairperson of ARGHYAM, a charitable trust that supports endeavours in equity in access to water for all. She is also the Founder Chairperson of Pratham Books, which seeks to democratize the joy of reading for children. With 175 titles in up to 10 languages, Pratham Books has reached good books to millions of children. She is one of India’s “New Philanthropists”. Rohini was also Chairperson, Akshara Foundation which works in elementary education in Karnataka. She also sits on the boards of many non-profit organizations and funds work in education, health, the environment, microfinance etc. Last, but not the least, she has also received various laurels as a recognition of her credible work towards the society. Forbes Asia named her as one among 48 Heroes of Philanthropy in 2008 and 2009. Rohini believes it is a responsibility of the wealthy to play a role in reducing the inequity’s of the society and is always looking for ways to give back and give forward.
Gender Issues
Harish Sadani (2010-11)
Harish Sadani has been passionately working in the field of social development for more than 2 decades. He is the founder-member and honorary secretary of MAVA (Men Against Violence and Abuse), which has been spearheading a movement in India since 1993 engaging men as key partners and change-agents in preventing gender-based violence against women. For the past 5 years, Harish has been running an innovative, landmark initiative with male youths, aged 16 - 20 years, sensitizing them on a wide range of gender and sexuality matters; using varied youth-friendly media like interactive workshops, games, film-screenings, street-theatre, wall newspapers, cultural magazine and youth helpline, and mentoring them to communicate with peers in their colleges and the larger community. This path-breaking work, aiming towards redefining of Masculinity, empowerment of Women and humanization of Men, is now being slowly spreading from rural Pune to Mumbai, Satara, Kolhapur and other parts of Maharashtra by a core team of highly motivated youth communicators. Harish is also a founder- trustee of Samvedan, an organization devoted to prevention, treatment, counseling and care of HIV / AIDS. Previously, Harish has worked for voluntary organizations like Child Relief and You (CRY) and Blind Men's Association. He has also managed the Corporate Social Responsibility Unit of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals.
CHILD ABUSE
Pooja Taparia (2010-11)
Pooja Taparia conceptualized Arpan with a simple aim - to improve the lives of the underprivileged, by mobilizing the community to volunteer its time and money towards making at least a little difference in the lives of others. A few years later, Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse became the key mandate for Arpan, and the organization began conducting talks to spread awareness, reached out to housing societies, clubs, rotary clubs, and colleges and took on cases to enable survivors of child abuse to come to terms with their trauma and move on to lead fulfilling lives. Besides Arpan, Pooja devotes her time to volunteering for various social service organizations including the SPJ Sadhana School of the developmentally handicapped and the Sandipani Vidyaniketan in Gujarat. Her involvement with social issues was seen even in school and college where she raised large sums of money for the poor and the destitute through donation drives.
ENVIRONMENT
Bibhu Prasad Mohanty (2010-11)
Bibhu Prasad Mohanty hails from Bhubaneswar, Orissa and is a seasoned and versatile Environmental Activist, Researcher, Teacher and Livelihood Promoter. Backed by strong academic credentials, he has had an eventful career of nearly 2 decades in the areas of Food & livelihood Security, Rural & Tribal Development, Organic Farming, Forest Resource Development, Sustainable Agriculture, Ecology and Environment, Conservation of Biodiversity, Food security and Developmental Communication. He has actively been campaigning in Chilika Bachao Movement, Joint Forest Management, Citizen's action on Environmental Pollution, Gandhian Thoughts for Village prosperity, Literacy for all and Conservation of Biodiversity. Apart from environment, Mr. Mohanty has been associated with several other issues. He has worked with BISWA, the biggest microfinance organization of Orissa as Director- Operation and is at present working as Programme Director of THREAD, famous for ecological security and gender equity at national and international level. He has been serving as a Livelihood Consultant for Mission Shakti, Govt. of Orissa initiative for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality. He has also served as an international consultant in evaluation of Y-PEER projects on HIV/AIDS prevention in Serbia, Macedonia and Egypt. He has been instrumental in building successful market linkages for farmers and forest material producers, processors and marketers. He has been Chairman & Chief Consultant to Development Projects. Also, has been involved in setting consultancy house and providing consultancy and training services to NGOs and financial institutes. Spiritual Philosophy and Nationalism of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother influenced all his works and achievements.