PTI | 01:10 AM,Oct 26,2010
New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) Eight young achievers, including an MBA educated woman 'sarpanch', the creator of the new rupee symbol, and a cycle-rickshaw entrepreneur, were today awarded for their unique initiatives they implemented across the country.
29-year-old IIM Ahmedabad graduate Irfan Alam, who had equipped cycle rickshaws in Bihar with music, magazines and refreshments, also bagged a gift of UID numbers and bank accounts for almost 5-lakh rickshaws under his organisation from UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani, who was the chief guest at the event. "In some sense, we have a unique opportunity as we are a young country in an ageing world. The young people now are very confident and aspirational. I truly believe in their capabilities," Nilekani said while giving away the 'Young Indian Leaders' award to the eight individuals which was brought out by the Network 18 media group.
33-year-old Akhil Gogoi from Assam, an environment activist who received the award, said many projects were being implemented by corporate houses in his state which adversely affect the environment. 30-year-old Chhavi Rajawat, who is a 'sarpanch' (village head) of Soda village in Rajasthan said that her education at the Delhi University and later a Business Management degree taught her to tackle challenges with an affirmative approach.
Aga Ruhullah (34), the youngest minister in Jammu and Kashmir's cabinet said that the people of the state need "opportunities with peace which is covered with dignity". "We will have to change our thinking to find a solution to the Kashmir issue," Ruhullah said.
The youngest Indian women to have conquered Mt Everest, Krushnaa Patil, recounted that like other famed mountaineers the only thought that came in her mind at the moment of her scaling the summit was the worry of getting down. "But on a serious note, the moment was quiet and beautiful for me," she said while receiving her award.
The other awardees included IIT Mumbai graduate D Udaya kumar who gave the Indian Rupee its new symbol recently, 32-year-old Bangalore based Indrani Medhi who has developed a text-free user interface that allows an illiterate person to interact with the computer and world famous sand artist from Orissa Sudarsan Pattnaik.