Smt. Pavithra Y Sundareshan Founder & Managing Director, Vindhya e-infomedia Pvt.Ltd Bengaluru awarded at the event for her outstanding contribution towards rural entrepreneurship in empowering women and differently abled people by Chief Guest Smt. Safeena Hussain, Founder and Executive Director, Educate Girls
Mumbai, January 9, 2019: In an endeavour to honour the contribution and achievements of Women Entrepreneurs across rural India, the coveted 26th IMC Ladies’ Wing Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar 2018 was conferred on Smt. Pavithra Y Sundareshan, Founder & Managing Director, Vindhya e-Infomedia Pvt.Ltd Bengaluru. The award was presented by the Chief Guest, Smt. Safeena Hussain, Founder and Executive Director, Educate Girls .The award recognizes women entrepreneurs for their extraordinary and outstanding entrepreneurial excellence in rural India. It is focused on discovering and honouring women entrepreneurs who are dedicated towards rural upliftment and business entrepreneurship. This initiative encourages more women to launch scalable and venture capital funded businesses.
The book ‘My Life’s Journey’ (English version of ‘Meri Jeevan Yatra’ an autobiography of Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj) was also inaugurated at the 26th IMC Ladies’ Wing Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar 2018 by Guest of Honour Shri Milind Soman, Super Model, Actor, Ultra Runner & Founder of PINKATHON
Elaborating the award, Smt. Mohana Nair - President, Ladies’ Wing said, “It’s an honour for us to recognise the amazing work that Pavithra Y. Sundershan, Founder and MD of Vindhya e-Infomedia has done for the past 12 years for empowering differently abled. As an entrepreneur in a true sense she has effectively melded and empowered productive employment of people from the rural India, people with disabilities, socially disadvantaged women, and with border cases of Autism. It is truly women like Pavithra who through their work are keeping the memory alive in more ways than one, of Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj, a pioneer in the movement of rural entrepreneurship. We look forward to supporting more such dynamic social change makers and to impacting women in all walks of life.”
Addressing the occasion Smt. Safeena Hussain, Founder and Executive Director, Educate Girls said “Though the patriarchal mind-set has hindered a women’s role and growth in the society, times are changing. Not just us at educate girls, but leading bodies across the globe have clearly stated that the wealth of a nation is in the development of the girl child, let us all jointly work towards this and do our bit. The progress may be slow, but it’s heartening to see organizations like IMC Ladies Wing working jointly with other community stake holders towards this end.”
It was an afternoon filled with inspiration and passion. Speaking at the event, Mr. Milind Soman said “I am proud how women are becoming aware about the various issues and are now in the forefront. I am delighted to be a part of this event, as women empowerment is the future. At Pinkathon we believe that women need to celebrate more, besides taking care of their overall health which includes physical, mental and emotional health. It’s been inspirational to be here in this august company and I wish IMC Ladies Wing and those associated in furthering the cause of women empowerment and development, all the very best.
This year, the panel of judges included:
Late Justice C.S. Dharmadhikari Chairperson, Panel of Jury
Mukul Upadhyaya- Chief Executive Officer, Touchstone Advertising and Marketing Services
Deepak Satwalekar- Venture Advisor, Nexus Venture Partners
Nishi Vasudeva- Former Chairman and MD, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
Poornima Advani- Director and Partner, The Law Point
Pradeep Shah- Chairman, IndAsia Fund Advisor Private Limited
Rupa Shah- Ex-Vice Chancellor, SNDT
Saumya Roy- CEO, Vandana Foundation
Vinita Bali Chair- Board Of Directors, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
About the Puraskar
The IMC Ladies' Wing in the year 1992-93, of Smt. Kiran Bajaj, dedicated its programmes to the theme, 'Discover the Entrepreneur in You'. In a spirit of innovation, the Ladies' Wing and its members sought a close alliance with rural India to promote, support and honour the substantial work being done there in the field of entrepreneurship.
IMC Ladies' Wing Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar was instituted under the President-ship of Mrs. Kiran Bajaj in 1993 in memory of Padma Vibhusan Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj who renounced all her material possessions to identify herself with the downtrodden and derelict. A Gandhian at heart – Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj led an extraordinary life of sacrifice; commitment in selfless service. It was indeed a welcome gesture for the Ladies' Wing when Bajaj Electricals Ltd. willingly offered to sponsor the Award.
About The Ladies' Wing of the Indian Merchants' Chamber
The Ladies' Wing of the Indian Merchants' Chamber was formed in the year 1966-67. Its objective is to encourage and develop entrepreneurship among Indian business and professional women. It also provides a forum for discussion of economic, business, social, cultural and professional subjects. The Ladies' Wing has a membership of around 2200, consisting of entrepreneurs, professionals and women from business families. It functions through an Executive Committee headed by a President, Vice- President and supported by sub-committees. The Committees assist in organising lectures, seminars, training programmes, exhibitions, industrial visits, exports promotions etc. Among its various activities, the Ladies' Wing confers awards in recognition of outstanding contribution by women in business and social spheres.
