The Changemakers
Inspiring stories of people who have moved mountains to create meaningful and sustainable impact across sectors, only on aawaz.com
There are people who rant about all things wrong about the world, and then there are people who do something about it. Presenting CHANGEMAKERS, inspiring stories of people who have moved mountains to create meaningful and sustainable impact across the water, health, education, environment, and more.
Changemakers is a heart-to-heart conversation between host, entrepreneur Ajay Menon, and ordinary people taking extraordinary action in creating an impact to make the lives of the less fortunate more fulfilling and the world a better place. We cover @Umeed 1000, Akshaya Patra Foundation, The Joy of Giving week, Teach India, Goonj, and more.
Episode 1— Avinash Jhangiani (Curator of Children’s Dreams)
Ever wondered what the children of India dream of? Well, you’ll be fascinated to know as we chat with Avinash Jhangiani, a social entrepreneur and activist, who after a decorated career in marketing and consulting over a span of 20 years, decided to curate India’s first-ever Book of Dreams, titled ‘I dream…’, co-authored by 10,000+ children, across India. Avinash is a recipient of many awards and honors but he is particularly proud of this social initiative which is a compilation of artworks and prose from the children of India, from myriad social backgrounds, addressed to the Honorable President of India.
Episode 2 — Ruchi Gupta (The Magic of Art)
Ruchi Gupta, is someone who believes ‘art is magical’. She has successfully channeled that magic into a curriculum for children at Art For Akanksha, an integral arm of the Akhansha Foundation. She teaches art to children from low-income groups to empower them with the right skills to not only develop as well rounded individuals but to also be able to pursue art as a career.
Tune in to find out more about her passion for art and her journey with Akansha.
Episode 3— Shishir Joshi (Scaling Social Impact)
When we talk about creating social impact, we choose to fight the cause that’s most close to us. However, Shishir Joshi, Founder & CEO for Project Mumbai, has defied all the odds to fight for as many causes as he possibly could, after quitting his profession as a full-time journalist of 20 years. After influencing 1.5 lakh citizens of Mumbai to donate plastic for recycling and repurposing, delivering mental health program for kids, made pedestrians’ lives better, Shishir is all about instigating change at scale.
Tune in to listen to his stories about getting Mumbai’s citizens and very soon the rest of India, to volunteer.
Episode 4— NS Nappinai (Cyber Law Pioneer)
In this episode, Ajay Menon talks to a firebrand who pioneered the development of cyber laws and cybersecurity in India. NS Nappinai has spearheaded programs aimed at training members of the Armed Forces, Police, Intelligence Agencies and industry verticals about cybersecurity. Appointed Amicus Curae (friend-of-the-court) to the Supreme Court, Nappinai is much sought after for her expertise. She also shares her views on data security of the Aadhar program, and why India leads the world in internet shutdowns.
Tune in to find out about her fascinating journey, how cyber laws have evolved in our country and where we stand now.
Episode 5— Elsa Marie D’Silva (Social Entrepreneur)
Who would have thought that an App can prove to be a problem solver for Women’s Safety issues? Elsa Marie founder of Safecity India App, that crowdsources personal stories of sexual harassment and abuse in public spaces, believes data and technology combined in the right way can solve many global problems. She is also a global president of the Red Dot Foundation and has been solving gender inequalities, female safety, and youth empowerment.
In this episode, we trace her journey from being in the aviation industry to starting a profit-making socially benefitting venture.
Episode 6— Jasmeet Singh Gandhi (Cycling Enthusiast)
What started out as a ‘concept’ led by one person, Jasmeet, who covered an arduous 1000kms on a bicycle with just his thoughts for company has now grown into a movement to provide education to under-privileged girls across the country. This movement today has covered 6000kms, and raised Rs 11+ Cr in aid. Meet Changemaker, Jasmeet Singh Gandhi
The following podcast on The Changemakers is available as a free podcast on aawaz.com and on android phones for streaming, downloading and listening offline.
