[Photo Sparks] NESI Awards: how social innovators are bringing about change in Northeast India

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In this showcase, we feature some of the social entrepreneurs and changemakers from the Northeast India Social Impact awards and expo!

In the earlier 50 posts, we brought you a wide range of creative photographs from an art fair, world music festival, painting fair, telecom expo, art museum, mobile showcase, math museum, social hackathon, bookstore, co-working space, sensorium, international design week, flower show, outdoor ads, startup roadshow, computer museum, startup T-shirts, business cards, art therapy, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, Vesak, jazz festival, modern art gallery, ecopreneurs, painter-poets, health activists, eNGOs and digital innovators.

There are a number of social and development initiatives in North East India which deliver notable impact in the areas of health, education, livelihood and environment. They span a wide range: government, industry CSR, NGOs, social entrepreneurs, academic and civil society organisations.

To recognise best practices and promote innovative ideas, the Northeast Development Foundation launched the Northeast Social Impact Award (NESIA) in August this year, along with a conference and expo held in Guwahati, Assam. (See also my earlier photo essay on the eNorthEast Summit 2014 in Aizawl, Mizoram and writeup on the e-Northeast Awards 2013.)

In this photo showcase, we feature some of the development practitioners and innovators at the Social Impact Expo from the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Read India, Sparks Children’s Home of Learning (Meghalaya), Clean Mizoram Movement, Development of Humane Action (DHAN) Foundation, MCTS Call Centre (Assam), Ajmal National Talent Search (Assam), National Institute of Youth Development, Emergency Management and Research Institute, Smart Tutor (Nagaland), and Tripura Bamboo Mission.

In the next article, we will present the winners and jurors’ special mentions in each of the ten award categories. Check out the awards website also for full descriptions and videos of these changemakers and champions!

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

See also the YourStory pocketbook ‘Proverbs and Quotes for Entrepreneurs: A World of Inspiration for Startups,’ accessible as apps for Apple and Android devices.