In India’s villages, the place improvement typically bypasses probably the most weak, Dr Kalpana Sankar has introduced dignity, financial independence, and hope to hundreds of thousands of girls. 

A scientist by coaching and a changemaker by conviction, she left a authorities job to co-found ‘Hand in Hand India’, making use of scientific rigour and grassroots organising to construct a holistic rural improvement mannequin.

Shining the highlight on Kalpana Sankar

Holding a doctorate in nuclear physics, Dr Sankar appeared destined for a distinguished tutorial profession. However a go to to the silk-weaving belt of Kancheepuram uncovered her to the brutal realities of kid labour and gender inequality. Somewhat than turning away, she co-founded ‘Hand in Hand India’, which started with rescuing and educating bonded little one labourers and grew right into a multi-sectoral power for rural improvement.

Winner of the ‘TBI Ladies Changemaker’ class at Optum Presents The Higher India Showcase, supported by the M3M Basis, Kalpana’s story is as inspiring as it’s surprising.

Constructing collective energy by way of self-help

Dr Sankar’s mannequin for social change is each rigorous and humane. At its core lies the creation of self-help teams (SHGs) that not solely facilitate microfinance but additionally promote entrepreneurship, construct monetary literacy, and promote neighborhood solidarity. 

Via this method, Hand in Hand India has enabled over 5,01,766 SHGs, supported 50,16,728 household enterprises, created 1.5 million jobs, and empowered greater than 2.2 million ladies throughout 500 villages in Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Puducherry.

Her initiatives have expanded globally too — replicated in Cambodia, Afghanistan, and South Africa — underscoring the common relevance of her imaginative and prescient. The organisation runs right this moment with worldwide partnerships together with UNDP, DFID, and a number of other state governments, proving the scalability of her mannequin.

Through the years, her distinctive work has been recognised with prestigious accolades, together with the Nari Shakti Puraskar (2016), the World Award for Ladies Empowerment (2019) by UN Ladies and the Kingdom of Bahrain, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in Monetary Inclusion (2023) for her efforts to democratise financial alternative.

Whereas Kalpana was among the many winners at Optum Presents The Higher India Showcase, supported by the M3M Basis, we imagine true recognition is what comes even after the applause. And so, we might be highlighting tales of the winners throughout classes for the subsequent few weeks.

Learn concerning the different winners right here.

Edited by Khushi Arora