Social Impact Award - 2009
November 5, 2009

The Social Impact Awardswere instituted to recognize and appreciate those success stories in the social sector that reflect interdependencies of business practices and showcase their impact on society. This year, DOCC decided to recognize efforts of senior citizens.

The theme was 'Honouring the elderly'. SPJIMR partnered with Harmony for Silvers Foundation which has been doing commendable work in the field of senior citizens for more than a decade. About 150 senior citizens from 30 organisations participated in the event along with SPJIMR participants and faculty. Dr. Snehalata Deshmukh, Ex-Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University, graced the occasion as the chief guest of the event and presented the awards to winners Jayant Desai, Suhas Mangalvedhekar and Ramesh Arnalkar. Jayant Desai (74), Mumbai has working immensely for tribal welfare. Ramesh Arnalkar (60), Pune helps poor farmers by lending them his tractor free of cost for ploughing. Suhas Mangalvedhekar (55), Kolhapur works on bats which eat mosquitoes keeping the mosquito menace in check and in turn helping in seed dispersal and pollination at night.

In his Inaugural address Dr. Sesha Iyer, Director SPJIMR spoke about the concept of Social Impact Award in the context of education. In her Keynote Address, Chief Guest, Dr. Snehalata Deshmukh spoke about bridging the generation gap.

SIA included a panel discussion on 'Economic Security and Dignity'. The panelists included John Thattil, former Director of Helpage and currently the Director of Habitat for Humanity; Anagha Tendulkar, sociologist working in Social Gerontology; Vijay Aundhe, Secretary FESSCOMand Abhay Mokhashi, Senior journalist. Prof. A.B. Kulkarni, SPJIMR faculty member, Marketing Department moderated the discussion.

The event concluded with a bharatnatyam dance recital by Navanita Parmar followed by a play -'Aakhiri Mausam' directed by Mujeeb Khan and a performance by senior citizens fromHarmony for Silvers foundation.