NASSCOM Foundation announces launch of Social Innovation Honours 2014

Saturday September 14, 2013 , 3 min Read

Entries for this year’s edition of NASSCOM Social Innovation Honours (The Honours), in association with Genpact, is now open. NASSCOM Foundation recognizes innovations that creatively leverage Information and Communication Technology to create solutions to address gaps in social development. The Honours have recognized innovations focused on financial inclusion, education, health, employability, governance, financial inclusion, and citizen services in the past. The winners will be honored at the NASSCOM India Leadership Forum early next year.The Honours serve as a platform for the winners to drive home an opportunity to network with the thought leaders in the space of technology and innovation and enhance their initiatives.

Last year, many innovative projects showcasing their innovations, from student led projects like “D-Labs”, a complete hardware and software solution that diagnoses dyslexia at an early stage by tracking eye and hand movements of children to larger projects by NGO’s like Don Bosco Forum for the Young at Risk which had developed an online comprehensive Child Tracking System for effective data management, monitoring and reporting of care, protection and development of children were awarded at the Honours. NASSCOM Social Innovation Honours 2013 also saw some excellent individual led innovations like Stipator, a mobile app that boosts safety of travellers by tracking the route they are taking and posting it on social media networks.

“Social challenges are immense but so is the potential and power of technology. The entries that we receive each year, demonstrating inspiring use of technology (web-based, mobile-based, cloud-based and others) to resolve social problems only elucidate the fact. While on the one hand the Honours are building a community of innovators and change makers, they are also making change happen on the ground by encouraging transformative ideas and walking them the last mile! Every entry received, is an evidence of how social problems are being tackled in different ways and how the industry is tread on its path to build an inclusive and sustainable India,” said Rita Soni, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation.

“Genpact is delighted to be a part of the Social Innovation Honors again this year as we understand the transformative power of technology based innovation and the significant role played by these entrepreneurs in driving inclusive growth in India,” said Mohit Thukral, Senior Vice President and Business Leader, Genpact. “We also share common values with these entrepreneurs which is the need to give back to society.”

NASSCOM Foundation pioneered the NASSCOM Social Innovation Honours in 2008 and since then the Honours have attracted innovative projects from NGOs, corporates, social enterprises, government bodies, PSUs, students, groups, and individuals.

Each year, participants showcase their use of ICT for social transformation to an eminent jury. In the last edition, Mr. S. Ramadorai, Vice Chairman of TCS and Advisor to the Prime Minister, had led the Grand Jury. Mr. Anand G. Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra and Mr. Narayan Murthy, Chairman of Infosys have in the past been associated with the Honours, chairing the Jury. The winners will present their innovations at the prestigious NASSCOM India Leadership Forum event in February 2014.

Deadline for Applications: 20 October, 2013

Call for Entries: If you are bringing change in a particular community, region, state, or the country, this is the platform to share your ideas! Applications are invited from ICT led social innovation projects in the following categories: