CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2022 to honour noted social activists on 12 October

New Delhi: From encouraging women to practice self-defence to uplifting marginalised sections with education, nominees for this year’s social change category at the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year set a high benchmark in excellence.

Everyone wishes for the welfare of society, but only a few stand out because they walk the talk with actions that lead to welfare through education, making basic amenities accessible and so much more.

CNN-News18, India’s No.1 English General News channel, salutes the spirit of such social crusaders through the 12th edition of its flagship initiative the CNN-News 18 Indian of the Year (IOTY) 2022.

The awards ceremony that will be held on 12 October will recognise the achievements of those Indians who, through their grit and determination, have brought pride to the country.

The marquee property felicitates personalities across the categories of politics, sports, social change, entertainment, start-ups, and climate warrior. From pandemic heroes to proponents of self-defence, the nominations for this year’s social change category are truly empowering.

The nominees

Accredited Social Health Activists or ASHA Workers have been helping marginalised communities in accessing the benefits of various healthcare schemes of the government. They go door-to-door to create awareness about basic nutrition, hygiene practices, and health services. They focus primarily on ensuring that women undergo antenatal tests and have access to good nutrition during pregnancy. For their stellar work, the WHO recognised India’s 10.4 lakh ASHA workers as ‘Global Health Leaders’.

At the height of the second COVID wave, when cases were skyrocketing, Gurugram-based NGO Hemkunt Foundation became a symbol of hope for thousands of people. With the help of volunteers, Hemkunt Foundation set up facilities with oxygen concentrators, launched drive-through initiatives, and set up a dedicated helpline where people could reach out for help. They also worked tirelessly to provide relief to Assam flood victims this year.

13-year-old Kashmiri teen Tajamul Islam, a two-time World Kickboxing Champion in 2021 and 2016, is now inspiring women in North Kashmir’s Bandipora to take up sports as a passion, by opening an academy there. She is a living example of how you can overcome all odds to achieve your dreams.

Known as the “5 rupees doctor,” Dr. Shankare Gowda is a skin specialist from Mandya in Karnataka, who charges his patients just 5 rupees. He always prescribes affordable medicines and has had an almost a hundred percent success rate. His selfless service attracts scores of patients from far-flung areas of Karnataka.

Finally, we have 28-year-old Raju Kendre – a resident of Buldhana in Maharashtra, who is on a mission to make higher education accessible to youngsters from marginalised sections of society. He opened guidance centers for those passing out of Class X and XII, in order to help them decide their future course of study. This soon evolved into Eklavya – a platform founded in 2017, which has helped hundreds of youngsters from Yavatmal get higher education guidance.

Past winners

CNN-News18 has been setting the precedent in recognising agents of social change in the country through this flagship initiative. Some of the names who have been recognised for public service in the past editions include Afroze Shah, Tongam Rina, Dr. Devi Shetty, ADR & Lily Thomas, Anna Hazare & team, Ladakh Ecological Development Group & Seeds India, and Pratham to name a few.

The country is keen to know which social activist will be awarded the Indian of the Year 2022 in the social change category. While each nominee has contributed immensely to the nation, there will be only one winner whose name will be revealed at the Indian of the Year 2022 grand finale on Wednesday, 12 October 2022, 6 pm onwards, exclusively on CNN-News18.

CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2022 has RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group as the Presenting Partner and Reliance Industries as the Co-Presenting Partner.

Network18, the parent company of Firstpost, is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.

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