New Delhi: Following a rigorous due diligence process, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, the sister organization of the World Economic Forum and the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation have announced the finalists of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year (SEOY)- India 2016 Award. The winner will be chosen by a distinguished jury and announced at an awards ceremony on October 6, 2016 in New Delhi. Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road, Transport, Highways and Shipping will be the Chief Guest and present the award.
The finalist are: Shanti Raghavan and Dipesh Sutariya of EnAble India, Bengaluru; Neichute Doulo of Entrepreneurs Associate, Kohima; Vikas Shah of WaterHealth India Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad; Mrinalini Kher of Yuva Parivartan/Kherwadi Social Welfare Association (KSWA), Mumbai; and Hilmi Quraishi and Subhi Quraishi of ZMQ, New Delhi.
The finalists of the SEOY India – 2016 Awards are building vibrant eco-systems in the fields of disability; skilling, employment and entrepreneurship; health; water sanitation and hygiene; and technology for development. They are working to equip isolated and marginal communities & to change behaviours and take charge of their own lives. All five enterprises are working through government partnerships to bring fresh ideas in flagship initiatives of the country such as Smart City, Skill India, Start Up India and Digital India.
According to Mrs. Hilde Schwab, Co-founder & Chairperson, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, “We are delighted to see that this year’s finalists are all strong contributors to the key social priorities of the Government of India. They are all operating at significant scale across regions including north eastern India, and supporting social and economic inclusion in many ways – by creating access to basic services, skills and digital connectivity.”
Congratulating the finalists, Mr. Shyam S Bhartia, Chairman & Founder and Mr. Hari S Bhartia, Co-Chairman & Founder, Jubilant Bhartia Group and Founder Directors of Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, said, “The winner gets a chance to join the world’s largest network of social enterprises affiliated with The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. This enhances their professional linkages and offers them an opportunity to learn from peer groups. This year, the finalists have shown a dedication towards diverse social issues like inclusion of specially able people, mainstreaming of youths in conflict areas through Entrepreneurship, Technology for development, employability, drinking water etc. which require urgent attention.”
The SEOY Awards, India 2016 opened in March this year and received over 100 applications of exceptional quality. Through a five-stage selection process, the finalists were shortlisted after on-site visits, background research, reference checks and multiple rounds of deliberations.
This year the SEOY award ceremony is part of the India Economic Summit organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the World Economic Forum (WEF).
