The 2008 Citi Micro Entrepreneur Awards recognized ten successful microentrepreneurs at a ceremony presided by Honorable Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission.

Launched in 2004, the Citi Micro Entrepreneur Awards is a global initiative that recognizes individual micro entrepreneurs for their extraordinary efforts in gaining self-sufficiency through the innovative use of microfinance.

Conceptualized by Citi India, the awards process is implemented by Partners in Change (PiC), a not-for-profit organization. S P Jain Institute of Management & Research is the screening organization since the launch of the award

Celebrating its fifth year, the 2008 program was the largest-ever in terms of applications. Approximately 2,500 micro entrepreneurs from 22 states participated in the yearlong process. Nominations of rural micro entrepreneurs outnumbered those by urban micro entrepreneurs. Machine Industry.

The winners for the event were Present on the occasion were several eminent citizens including Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC Ltd, Suhel Seth, HN Sinor, Former Chief Executive, Indian Banks' Association, Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief, The Indian Express Group, Radhika Haribhakti, Chairperson, Friends of Women's World Banking, Pramath Raj Sinha, CEO, 9dot9 Mediaworx, and Nirja Mattoo, Chairperson, Center for Development of Corporate Citizenship, S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, in addition to clients and colleagues. Popular singer KK enthralled the gathering with a medley of his best-known singles.

Classified into three categories, namely the National Microentrepreneur Award, the National Runner-up Award and the Socially Responsible Microentrepreneur, the winning nominations were selected from across four regions: East & North East, West & Central, North, and South. Each national winner is presented a cash endowment of Rs.200,000. The national runners-up receive Rs.100,000. Winners of the national award for Social Responsibility category are recognized with prize money of Rs.100, 000 each. A national jury made up of eminent personalities selects the winners.

The awards envisage a transparent, democratic and bottom-up approach. This is achieved through three independent bodies, namely the National Advisory Council (NAC), which guides the awards process to align with the goals; the national jury; and the screening organizations, namely IIM Kolkata, IIM Bangalore, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, and Faculty of Management Studies, New Delhi. This ensures independent and rigorous evaluation in examining and short-listing nominations.

The Award was launched to identify capacity building of micro credit as a key driver for socio-economic empowerment and sustainable development. Today, the Award has influenced the lives of many women and their families in India.