Celebrating the Unstoppable Spirit of Change
Recognizes Transformative Contributions of Foundations & Non Profits driving grass root impact.
ETHERWIRE in Collaboration with the RB Foundation Presents the The DesiDhaakad™ Social
Impact Awards 2025-26.
DesiDhaakad™ is a purpose-driven platform celebrating Indian women as
powerful agents of progress and grassroots impact. Desi signifies rootedness in
Indian culture, while Dhaakad represents courage, resilience, and a fearless
spirit.
Through the DesiDhaakad™ Social Impact Awards 2025–26, we honor individuals and organizations addressing India’s most critical challenges—healthcare, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability—aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.
More than an awards initiative, DesiDhaakad™ connects changemakers with institutions and investors, fostering sustainable growth and amplifying voices that redefine leadership in social impact.
The following categories reflect diverse areas of impact, designed to honor measurable, scalable contributions.
Recognizes initiatives tackling hunger, poverty, malnutrition, and inequality.
Meet the changemakers transforming India with courage, dedication, and impact
DesiDhaakad™ Social Impact Awards celebrate fearless individuals and organizations shaping a stronger, inclusive India. These awards spotlight real stories of courage, service, and change that deserve national recognition.
Honoring grassroots leaders creating real social transformation.
Powerful stories that motivate youth and future leaders.
Transparent evaluation ensuring fairness and integrity.
Connecting heroes, institutions, and communities nationwide.
JUST THE BEST
Chair Jury | Co-Founder Roma Balwani Foundation | CEO IDCA | Ind. Dir. GPIL | JCIL | TEDx Speaker | Advisory Board Teamlease Edtech | President Comms Vedanta | EVP Mahindra
Advisor - Media, Advertising, Brand, Entertainment | Former CEO of Lodestar UM | Independent Director Bandhan AMC | Hon Secretary International Advertising Association | Governing Board Member Mumbai First
President 3C India Collective; Advisor at The Barefoot College Tilonia
Managing Director & CEO of Indian Clearing Corporation Ltd. (ICCL)
Entrepreneur | Startup Mentor | Author - Eves Against The Odds | Ecosystem Builder | Rated as top 1% influencer by LinkedIn 2017/18/19 | Building a Global Investment Platform for Women Entrepreneurs via Billennium Divas!
Senior Director - Corporate Lead,
India & South Asia, APCO
Chairperson cii iwn b wr global education Strategist | country head -intl relations & strategic partnerships, univ of new Haven ex-tcs & wipro | Indo-american chamber |
Ifsca & Giftcity Sez Advisory Founder Shilpi Thapar & Associates(Sta), Company Secretaries/sta Global (Ifsc) Llp
Founder & CEO – Aspire For Her
UN Awards | Stanford Seed
Co-Founder – Mentor My Board
Independent Director
Co-Founder
– Billennium Divas
Independent Board Director
CSR | ESG | Corporate Governance
Founder
Etherwire.Ai
Imapct study
Chief of OPS Etherwire
HC | F.IOD
– Business & People Strategist
Progressivist in
people strategy | author
