MAJOR GENERAL R.S. PANNU

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

After spending 36 long years in Indian Army, Major General Raghubir Singh Pannu devoted his life in the service of the people through voluntary sector. A man of great courage, having been a front line soldier, he became the think tank of Help Age India in 1984. Help Age, then a six year old organisation, was put on the map as India’s leading charity during his 12 year tenure. He conceived and executed a 10 year plan that brought more than 430 NGOs under Help Age India’s umbrella. Major General

R.S. Pannu became the first President and Managing Trustee at the Global Cancer Concern India during 2000. He became a sought after crusader for many international bodies for tackling global issues. Major General R.S. Pannu will be remembered for his unique contribution to the development of the voluntary sector in India. His experience, knowledge, achievements and total dedication to the service of humanity will remain a role model.

DR. VENKAT PULLA

GLOBAL INDIAN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

Dr Venkat Pulla has been a practicing social worker for the last three decades. A graduate of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Community Development, he has taken social work into varied situations with his practice. Along with a number of his colleagues, his work in Strengths-Based Practices (SbPs) concentrates on the inherent strengths of individuals, families, groups and organisations deploying peoples' personal strengths to aid their recovery and their empowerment. Dr. Venkat Pulla has founded the Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practices, which innovates and advances a variety of training methodologies that actively interact and manage change. He is currently the Vice President of the Australian Association of Social Workers and is a member of the accreditation panel for schools of social work in Australia. To Venkat, there is only one perspective of human rights: ‘That no one is ever abused, harmed and ever violated’.

MALLIKA DUTT

GLOBAL INDIAN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

Mallika Dutt is currently the Executive Director of Breakthrough ‘building human rights culture’, an international human rights organization which uses media and popular culture to address social justice issues. She launched ‘Breakthrough’ in 2000 with ‘Mann ke Manjeere’ - an album of women’s dreams, which won the 2001 National Screen Award in India for best music video. Breakthrough operates in India and the United States. Dutt also co-founded ‘Sakhi’ for South Asian Women in 1989, an organization that addresses domestic violence in New York City. She served as the Program Officer for Human Rights in the Ford Foundation’s New Delhi office from 1996 to 2000. Prior to that, she was the Associate Director of the Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers University. She convened the first US meeting to create human rights links between US groups and global groups.

DR. SAILESH RAO

GLOBAL INDIAN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

Dr. Sailesh Rao is the Founder and President of Climate Healers, Inc., a non-profit corporation registered in California, USA. The primary goal of Climate Healers is to design and deploy meaningful and sustainable grassroots solutions to combat global climate change. Prior to founding Climate Healers, Dr. Rao, a serial entrepreneur, founded and led a number of successful ventures in the field of communications technologies. He was responsible for developing the world’s first single-chip real-time MPEG video encoder, the IEEE 100BASET2 Ethernet standard, and the IEEE Gigabit Ethernet on Copper (1000BASE-T) standard that is currently deployed in millions of computers worldwide. Climate Healers has designed an incentive based scheme to drive the adoption of solar cookers in communities, providing solar cookers, LED lights and mobile phones at no cost to community members. Climate Healers is funded by patrons, who are typically individuals and organizations interested in solving the climate crisis with grassroots approaches that also have the potential to empower and emancipate the 2 Billion people at the bottom of the pyramid. Their contributions can be viewed as a voluntary carbon offset mechanism and are used exclusively for the project.

RAJENDRA JOSHI

REAL WEALTH CREATORS FOR COMMUNITIES KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

Mr. Rajendra Joshi has been working for 24 years in the development sector at grassroots, program, organizational and policy advocacy levels, on issues affecting the urban poor. He has formulated strategies for city and state level implementation and translated these into programs and activities, achieving measurable success. He has promoted and sustained institutions that are working at state, city and community levels. He has provided leadership to such institutions, accessed and managed resources and fostered collaborations. Mr. Rajendra Joshi established Saath as an NGO in Ahmedabad in February 1989. Under his leadership, Saath has grown to an organization that now works in 8 towns and two districts of Gujarat and 6 districts in Rajasthan. Today Saath has 180 employees and an annual budget of about Rs. 5 Crores.

VIPIN SHARMA

REAL WEALTH CREATORS FOR COMMUNITIES KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

For the past 25 years, Vipin Sharma’s work and interest has been closely linked to access to resources, capital, services and markets for the poor. As a development banker, technical resource provider and practitioner, he has been concerned with broadening the scope of development interventions to affirm the rights of poor people. His work in NABARD, at RUDA and at CARE, and more recently as the CEO of ACCESS, has been primarily focused in this direction. He played a significant role in linking the first SHGs to formal financial institutions in 1992. A significant global initiative that he led is the structuring of the Microfinance India summit. Over 25 years, by both design and default, his work has increasingly focused on the challenges that the poor face. He has been able to work at various levels -projects on the ground, technical support to governments, building national platforms and informing and influencing policy. Over 3 Million women have been benefited in small or big ways, encouraging bigger ambitions for ACCESS.

PAMELA GALE MALHOTRA

KARMAVEER PURASKAAR FOR LIFELONG FIGHTFOR SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH CITIZEN ACTION, 2008

Mrs. Pamela Malhotra is the Co-chairperson and Secretary of the Sai Sanctuary Trust. She has years of experience behind her as the primary caretaker of animals at Sanctuary. She has been both the author and subject of several articles/ interviews/film documentaries on the environment, philosophy, politics and education. Graduated Summa cum Laude (Valedictorian) at the Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA with a double major in Political Science and History, she is also trained in Chemistry, Pharmacology, Abnormal Psychology; Reiki Master healer, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Vibrionics therapy. She also continues charity work, as the only health professional in remote villages in the Himalayas and in Kodagu District.

SYEDA HAMEED

GOVERNMENT CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

Syeda Hameed, member of the Planning Commission, has been deeply involved with the women’s rights and peace movements. She is an executive member of the Pakistan India Forum for Peace and Democracy and a former member of the National Women’s Commission. While in the Commission, she published the report ‘My Voice Will Be Heard’ on Muslim women in India. Following the Gujarat riots of 2002, she headed the women’s fact-finding team that investigated the impact of the riots on minority women and published a report titled ‘The Survivors Speak’.

UMESH ANAND

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR PRINT CATEGORY, 2008

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

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR PRINT CATEGORY, 2008

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.

PRITISH NANDY

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR FILMMAKER (MAINSTREAM), 2008

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.

BHAVNA TALWAR

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR FILMMAKER (CONTEMPORARY ISSUES), 2008

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.

NITIN DAS

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR FILMMAKER (DOCUMENTARY), 2008

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

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR FILMMAKER (DOCUMENTARY), 2008

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.

SWATI D’SOUZA

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR FILMMAKER (SHORT FILMS), 2008

This young student 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.

SEHEJ MANTRI

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR FILMMAKER-SHORT FILMS, 2008

This young student at the SIES College, Mumbai has been making socially relevant films for a year now. His first film focused on the need for eunuchs to be appeased and treated as a part of the society. His 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. Sehej hopes to go a long way in seconding social causes that require immediate attention.

SHEETAL BHAN

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR FILMMAKER-SHORT FILMS, 2008

This young student at the SIES College, Mumbai has been making socially relevant films for a year now. His first film focused on the need for eunuchs to be appeased and treated as a part of the society. His 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. Sehej hopes to go a long way in seconding social causes that require immediate attention.

AALAP DEBOOR

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR FILMMAKER-SHORT FILMS, 2008

This young student at the SIES College, Mumbai has been making socially relevant films for a year now. His first film focused on the need for eunuchsto be appeased and treated as a part of the society. His 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. Aalap hopes to go a long way in seconding social causes that require immediate attention.

VANDANA SHAH

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR AUTHOR, 2008

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.

MITA KAPUR

MEDIA CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR LITERARY CONSULTANT, 2008

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.

CHAIRPERSON- INDU JAIN

CORPORATE CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR HOLISTIC MEDIA INITIATIVES, 2008

Ms. Indu Jain is Chairperson of The Times Group and the President of The Times Foundation, which she founded and carefully guides. The Times Foundation has garnered international acclaim for its, often pioneering, activities in the field of development. Under her direction, The Times Foundation runs Community Services, Research Foundation and Times Relief Fund for disaster relief like floods, cyclones, earthquakes and epidemics. Ms. Jain is also the founder President of the Ladies wing of FICCI (FLO) and the Chairperson of the Bharatiya Jnanpith Foundation. Ms. Jain is also the guiding force behind The Oneness Forum, formally launched by the President of India in 2003. Spreading the message of ‘Peace Within First’, she spearheads a movement to spread the principles of peace globally.

CSR HEAD - POORAN PANDEY

CORPORATE CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR HOLISTIC MEDIA INITIATIVES, 2008

Pooran Pandey has been working as Director, Times Foundation based at New Delhi, fostering a collective voice for the civil society in making the society just, equitable and sustainable. Over the years, he developed expertise through exposure in varied fields in facilitation, co-ordination and liaison with government agencies at all levels, donor agencies, civil society organizations, NGOs, media and corporate houses with a CSR mandate. He has worked as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) based at New Delhi from 2004 - 2006. As the CEO, he was responsible for overall operations of the secretariat based in Delhi and has been performing multi-dimensional roles in execution and administration of plans. Recently, he led the launch of TEACH INDIA, India’s biggest volunteer driven educational program for underprivileged children, with a core team in four metros, to address the educational needs of underprivileged children. Currently, he is leading setting up rural assets for Tsunami victims in Chennai and Earthquake affected victims in Jammu, besides leading the launch of group’s flagship educational project in Bangalore.

CEO - AJAY BIJLI

ICONGO-BW CORPORATE CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR HOLISTIC CSR INITIATIVES, 2008

As the founder and the trustee of PVR Nest - the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wing of PVR Ltd, Mr. Ajay Bijli has provided the vision to PVR’s CSR social intervention plan. The vision includes establishing PVR Community Centres for the youth, children and families to come together for their joy, happiness and fulfilment. Under his guidance, the PVR CSR team encourages dialogues and partnership with civil societies, people, organizations, corporate bodies and NGOs. They have evolved successful activities like Childscapes, Street to School, PVR Ki Paathshala, Green PVR, Green films, PVR e-Cycle, PVR Lifeline, Childwatch and other interesting activities.

DEEPA MENON

ICONGO-BW CORPORATE CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR HOLISTIC CSR INITIATIVES, CSR HEAD, 2008

Deepa has worked extensively with the development sector and with diverse civil society organizations in different capacities. She has worked in Katha, Heinrich Böll Foundation India, ActionAid International, SARI/Equity. As CSR head of PVR Cinemas, her vision is a just society with Dignity and Respect for poor children around the multiplexes. The PVR Pathshaala is an initiative that has been nurtured by her, along with others like Childscapes, Street to School, Green PVR, Green films, PVR e-Cycle, PVR Lifeline and Childwatch. These initiatives are instrumental in touching almost 275 children today; a number will only grow by leaps and bounds in the near future.

MEERA SANYAL

CORPORATE EXECUTIVE CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

Meera H. Sanyal is Country Executive -ABN AMRO Bank, India & Chairperson, ACES. Meera is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, UK and an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France. Meera is an active participant in various Sustainable Development initiatives of the Bank that focus on children, women and environment. She is the Chairperson of ABN AMRO Foundation India, set up in 2006, works closely with microfinance institutions in some of the poorest regions in India, building their capacities for effective delivery of microfinance services. The most unique feature of AAFI is its comprehensive approach in addressing the issue of financial inclusion. Going forward AAFI has planned various initiatives to achieve its ambition of being a catalyst in making the poor self reliant, while balancing the goal of revenue generation.

ASHOK KURIEN

CORPORATE CEO’S FOUNDATION KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

Ammada Trust is funded primarily by Ashok Kurien, who has ensured that the Trust’s work to help the needy will continue even after him. The objectives of Ammada Trust, registered with the Commissioner of Charities as a public trust in March 2001, are to help the poor and needy, irrespective of caste or creed, in areas of health, education and self-improvement. The Ammada Trust has supported more than 3000 health cases and 200 small entrepreneurs, sponsored the education of close to 1000 children and helped nearly 300 NGOs in addition to several community based projects. Ashok Kurien is also a Patron of the Maharastra Dyslexic Association, and regularly counsels children and parents at a number of learning disability schools/institutions.

DIVYA ARORA

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAAR -DISABILITY, 2008

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.

DR. ASHOK RAU

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAAR -HIV, 2008

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.

T. K. MATHEW

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAAR -COMMUNITY WELFARE, 2008

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.

GENERAL SURAT SANDHU

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAAR-FUND RAISING, 2008

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 premature 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.

SHOBHA MURTHY

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAAR EDUCATION, HEALTH AND EMPOWERMENT, 2008

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.

NUSRAT NAQVI

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAARWOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND CHILD LABOUR, 2008

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 abouta lot of development and change in these sectors over the years.

NIGEL OTTER

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAAR ANIMAL WELFARE & ENVIRONMENT, 2008

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.

HARMALA GUPTA

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAAR – CANCER, 2008

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.

SAILESH MISHRA

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAAR -CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, 2008

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’.

MEENAKSHI MADHWANI

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAAR SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS AND CAMPAIGN STRATEGIST, 2008

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.

VARUN SAHNI

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAAR SOCIAL VENTURE MENTORING, 2008

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.

RAJENDRA MISRA

CIVIL SOCIETY KARMAVEER PURASKAARSOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP/TRANSFORMATION, 2008

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.

INIR PINHEIRO

ICONGO – DEAKIN UNIVERSITY STUDENT CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

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.

GEETA CHANDRAN

ARTISTES 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR – DANCE, 2008

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.

GAUTAM GHOSH

ARTISTES 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR – MUSIC, 2008

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

ARTISTES 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR – MUSIC, 2008

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.

LUSHIN DUBEY

ARTISTES 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR – THEATRE, 2008

Lushin Dubey, apart from being a well known theatre personality, has a masters of science in education, a four year degree, with emphasis on special education.  She taught special needs and mentally challenged children in the US and at the American Embassy School in India.

She is involved in two theatre companies – Kidsworld and ‘Theatre World’, which she actively runs. ‘Kidsworld’ pioneered youth theatre in India. Under the banner of her group theatre world, she has acted and directed social issue driven plays which have been performed many times in cities in India and overseas. Plays such as the 'The Life of Gautama Buddha' emphasise the need for peace and compassion in a war torn world, while Untitled' and 'Bitter Chocolate' are based on the complex issues of women's empowerment and child sexual abuse. These were followed with 'Muskaan', a production on HIV in India, conceived, produced and directed by her. With sponsors like The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and Dr. Yusuf Hameid (the owner of Cipla Medicines ), this play highlights the message that ‘Life is a gift and must be lived’.  Her recent production, ‘Salaam India’ inspires us to hold our heads up ramrod straight and say with pride, ‘We are Indians, and proud to be who we are’.

Besides theatre of social relevance, Lushin has acted in 7 films. In Nov 2006, she won the Gemini award in Toronto, the equivalent of the Emmy in Canada for her role as Kuldeep in the film, 'Murder Unveiled', a film on honour killing and its horrors. In the month of July 2008 Lushin Dubey got “Best Stage Actor” from ‘The Senior Journalist Association Award 2008’ by the Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs. Shiela Dixit.

ARVIND GAUR

ARTISTES 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR – THEATRE, 2008

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.”

KAJOL

ARTISTES 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR – FILM, 2008

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.

MADHUSUDAN AGRAWAL

ICONGO-TIE-YOUNG SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

Madhusudan gave up his promising career in the US to work in India and has innovatively used media and technology for social change. With Meghna, he has created a MAM Movies platform for filmmakers, and also for the common man, to raise awareness and involvement in social issues for the benefit of civil society organizations. MAM Movies has led the Genesis film project, a film competition held in Mumbai where 101 filmmakers were invited to make films for 101 NGO’s in just 101 Hours. MAM Movies also launched a project called ‘She Creates’, where 25 girls were invited from various backgrounds. These included girls from Dharavi slums, children rescued from streets and human trafficking, and some from the public schools. They were then given a film workshop and in just 21 days these children made some heart-warming films on women issues, gender inequality and female foeticide. MAM Movies envisions a group of people who will work together to use the medium of video & storytelling for the upliftment of humanity, a support system for such group of people with the principles of social entrepreneurship, and a new media industry with more citizen journalists who will empower themselves and their communities through videos.

MEGHNA AGRAWAL

ICONGO-TIE-YOUNG SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

Meghna gave up her promising career in the US to work in India and has innovatively used media and technology for social change. With Madhusudan, she has created a MAM Movies - platform for filmmakers and also for the common man to raise awareness and involvement in social issues for the benefit of civil society organizations. MAM Movies has led the Genesis film project, a film competition held in Mumbai where 101 filmmakers were invited to make films for 101 NGO’s in just 101 Hours. MAM Movies also launched a project called ‘She Creates’, where 25 girls were invited from various backgrounds. These included girls from Dharavi slums, children rescued from streets and human trafficking, and some from the public schools.They were then given a film workshop and in just 21 days these children made some heart-warming films on women issues, gender inequality and female feticide. MAM Movies envisions a group of people who will work together to use the medium of video & storytelling for the upliftment of humanity, a support system for such group of people with the principles of social entrepreneurship, and a new media industry with more citizen journalists who will empower themselves and their communities through videos.

MADHU BHATNAGAR

PROFESSIONAL CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

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 nature

SHRENIK RAO

PROFESSIONAL CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

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.

ARADHNA

KIDS 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

She’s the 11-year-old protagonist her friends rely on when they need to raise a voice to right any wrong. Whether it is selling greeting cards and lemonade for underprivileged children, admonishing passers by who hit stray dogs without reason, or issues that divide India into two countries – the urban, where Aradhna lives, and the rural, where girls are not respected as human beings – Aradhna takes each up as actively. Currently Aradhna is preparing for a skit on the girl child marriage with 5 other friends, where she leads as the narrator of the skit, telling her classmates about orthodox laws and superstitions that do not give the girl child the opportunities and rights to study and enjoy their childhood. Apart from taking on pet causes, Aradhna enjoys watching movies, listening to music and playing with her golden Labrador, Joshua.

DIWAKAR

KIDS 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

Despite being visually impaired, Diwakar has proven his mettle in many fields, most notably music and singing. He started singing when he was just two years old and received classical training at the age of four. Since then, he has won hordes of awards and has performed for audiences composed of dignitaries such as The Honorable President Shri Abdul Kalam and The Honourable Vice President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. He received the Saraswati Samman by Honorable Home Minister Sh. l.D. Swami at the Talkatora Stadium, in the presence of Shri Madanlal Khurana, Daler Mehendi and Bali Brahmbhatt. Several channels have also covered him, including the 30 minutes film titled ‘DIWAKAR’ screened on Doordarshan on 14th December and repeated several times on national channels following viewers’ demands. Being an all-rounder, he is also a Silver Medallist of the all India computer Speed and Accuracy competition.

AMBAR PRAKASH

ICONGO-EXCHANGE4 MEDIA YOUNG CREATIVE CITIZEN KARMAVEER PURASKAAR, 2008

With a zest to make films on social issues to bring out awareness and change, Ambar Prakash’ is attempting to give voice to neglected causes. His work has focused on creating awareness on topics such as AIDS and the Girl Child issue. An award winning documentary film maker, he works at Mudra Communications in advertising.

BOBBY CASH

ARTISTE 4 CHANGE KARMAVEER PURUSKAAR -MUSIC

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.

 

VINEET KUMAR

KARMAVEER CHAKRA, 2008

All of nineteen years, Vineet Kumar is a Social Worker, a Cyber Security & Digital Forensics Adviser, an Entrepreneur, and also a 2nd Year Student, Studying Bachelors’ at Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok. Vineet is Cyber Security & Digital Forensics Advisor, and the Chairman & CEO of National Anti-Hacking Group (NAG), a non profitable social organization. The organization works to reduce cyber crimes and to create awareness in the field of Cyber/Information Security. He is also the Co-founder & CEO of Security Brigade, A company specializing in IT Security Services like Penetration testing, Vulnerability Assessment, Source code audit, Cyber Forensics.