Meet The Winners: True Legend, The Future of Young India
Meet the winners of NDTV-100 Pipers Glassware present True Legend - The Future of Young India, an impactful initiative that celebrates individuals who have gone beyond the material markers of success to create a positive impact on the world
Ankit Agarwal, Founder of Phool.Co won in the business innovation category. Taran Chhabra, Founder and CEO, Neeman's, who was also on the jury, felicitated Mr Agarwal.
Mr Agarwal's biomaterials start-up creates organic products from flowers offered in temples or thrown into rivers. The venture also works to reduce flower waste in rivers like the holy Ganga.
Accepting the honour under the Entertainment category of NDTV and 100 Pipers Glassware True Legend - Future Of Young India, Mega Power Star Ram Charan gave all the credit for the good work done by him in the field of health, to his father and inspiration, legendary actor Chiranjeevi.
NDTV's Suparna Singh felicitated the actor.
Neha Kakkar was felicitated in the Music category of the NDTV and 100 Pipers Glassware True Legend - Future Of Young India. Musician Rabbi Shergill, also on the jury of True Legend, feliciated Ms Kakkar.
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she spoke about her initial struggles and the importance of connecting with millions of masses through her music.
Sonu Sood, an actor famous for his many Bollywood roles, received the Humanitarian Of The Year Award. He was felicitated by Dr Randeep Guleria from AIIMS and Dr S Chatterjee from Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
Mr Sood, a philanthropist and humanitarian had helped migrants reach their homes during the lockdown imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, he arranged medicines for patients in need during the time of crisis. After receiving the honours he said, 'COVID gave me the best role of my life.'
Rudrani Chettri, a Graduate Transgender female born and brought up in Delhi emerged as the winner under the ?Be Remembered For Good' category. She was felicitated by NDTV's Suparna Singh and Kartik Mohindra, Chief Marketing Officer, Pernod Ricard. Ms Chettri is the founder member of the first community-based organization in Delhi called Mitr Trust (2005) which works on the issues of men who have sex with men (MSM), Transgender and Hijras.
Manas Fuloria, Co-Founder and CEO of Nagarro, a tech consulting company that partners with businesses and entrepreneurs to create profitable solutions was declared the True Legend in the Start-up tech category. Mr Fuloria was felicitated by one of the jury members Ghazal Alagh, Co-Founder, Mamaearth.
Mr Fuloria, who says he is 'geeky about environment and road safety', supports the creation of model pedestrian and cyclist-friendly streets and encourages the use of public transport wherever possible.
Dhruv Lakra was felicitated as True Legend in the Social Work category by Actor and Jury Member Kunal Kapoor. Dhruv Lakra's National Award-winning startup Mirakle Couriers is addressing the challenges faced by people with disability by providing them jobs and improving their lifestyle and financial status. He said, 'The idea was basically to challenge the status quo and I always believe that disabilities is an attitude so why couldn't we radically change supply chain services, logistic services, and hire people with disabilities."
Dr Ravikant Singh, Founder of 'Doctors For You', a non-profit was felicitated with the title of True Legend - The Future of Young India in the Medicine category. He was felicitated by Dr Randeep Guleria who was also at the forefront the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was a crisis that gave birth to Doctors For You. Recalling the journey of his organisation, Dr Singh said, 'In 2007, in Mumbai, there was a big crisis of Lepto, Dengue and Malaria and people needed platelets. I started with a small idea of promoting platelet donation.' Today wherever calamity strikes the passionate physicians of Doctors For You are ready with help.
Dr. Nachiket Kelkar, an ecologist who heads the Riverine Ecosystems and Livelihoods Programme (REAL) at the Wildlife Conservation Trust was declared a True Legend under the Environment category. His research addresses problems related to conserving endangered riverine biodiversity with a focus on Ganges river dolphins and securing the livelihoods of fishing communities.
Dr Kelkar was felicitated by Kunal Kapoor, Actor and Co-Founder, Ketto.
Sandeep Nanduri, an IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre of 2009 was recognised as the ?True Legend' in the Governance category. He was felicitated by Lt. General Satish Dua.
Mr Nanduri is the brain behind Café Able, a bustling space run by 12 people with disabilities. In his acceptance speech Mr Nanduri said, 'As a District Collector, you have the ability to influence a lot of lives and make important decisions.'
Nearly 20 lakh children live on the streets of India, without an identity, a name to call their own, a place to call home, sleeping on empty stomachs for days and nights. These twenty lakh are children, who have dreams, who have rights, who are our tomorrow. They are living in the shadows today.
During these unprecedented times, not everyone can afford the privilege of social distancing. And not everybody can stay home during the lockdown, simply because they don’t have a home. Those living in poverty are extremely vulnerable, struck with a sudden lack of funds, food, mobility and a struggle for survival. And, as with all humanitarian crises, it is the children who have been affected the most.
It is always the children on the street who are subjected to some of the harshest realities of life. Today they are battling a catastrophic crisis, and it’s time we step in to protect them.
As a part of our COVID-19 response, Save the Children is working across various regions and has already directly reached over 18,000 children and adults to cover their basic needs. The organisation is ensuring their daily needs and their dignity and hygiene are also being cared for. Save the Children has identified 2.5 lakh children in cohorts, across 10 cities in India. Reaching out to these children with emergency relief is a top priority. But this cannot be done alone.
Save the Children and NDTV join hands to bring focus to the lives of children living in street situations. As India fights the Coronavirus, we must not forget one of the most marginalised and excluded groups whose lives have been long ignored – street-connected children. The 21-day campaign will generate public interest and raise funds to ensure these 20 Lakh+ children who live, earn, sleep and eat on our streets are cared for and protected. Amidst the crisis the world is facing, they are most vulnerable, exposed to infection and disease.