Bhubaneswar: AJSA India, an Odisha-based non-governmental organization (NGO), has been awarded the prestigious Bridgestone Mobility Social Impact Award 2024 in the category of “Increase Access to Resources” along with a cash prize of Rs 1.5 million by Bridgestone Corporation.
According to an official press release, this accolade, part of Bridgestone India’s commitment to promoting safe and sustainable mobility, recognizes AJSA India’s extraordinary contributions towards transforming the lives of marginalized tribal households through women-led, farm-based initiatives.
Manoranjan Behera, Executive Director of AJSA India, received the award along with Prof. Vinod C. Menon, Chief Advisor of AJSA India, during the awards ceremony held in Pune.
The Bridgestone Mobility Social Impact Awards (MSIA), launched in 2021, aim to recognize and celebrate innovations in mobility that address pressing social issues and contribute to sustainable social development. This year’s edition saw an overwhelming response with 114 entries at the national level, and winners were selected across two major categories: ‘Mobility for Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups’ and ‘Increase Access to Resources.’
Speaking about the awards, Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director of Bridgestone India, said, “Bridgestone’s mission of ‘Serving Society with Superior Quality’ is at the heart of how we contribute to the communities around us. We are honoured to recognize AJSA India for their impactful work, which exemplifies our shared vision of fostering innovations that empower vulnerable populations and promote sustainable development.”
AJSA India was lauded for their project focused on women’s empowerment, which has successfully transformed the lives of 3,500 tribal households in Odisha. Through the establishment of women-led agricultural producer groups, AJSA has bridged economic disparities by equipping these households with sustainable livelihood opportunities. The project introduces climate-resilient farming practices, livestock rearing, and the innovative use of “Green Express” electric vehicle carts to boost mobility and access to markets.
The recognition of AJSA India’s efforts by Bridgestone India highlights the profound impact of the organization’s ongoing work to uplift marginalized communities. Their initiatives are not only bridging economic gaps but also playing a crucial role in advancing gender equality, reducing environmental vulnerabilities, and fostering social inclusion in India’s rural and tribal regions.
Prof. Vinod C. Menon, Chief Advisor of AJSA and Founder Member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), remarked, “This prestigious recognition of AJSA will definitely amplify the efforts of AJSA India’s ongoing work to build resilient, empowered communities in some of the most unreached regions, serving the needs of extremely vulnerable communities. By empowering women and providing access to sustainable resources, AJSA India is creating a model for rural development that is scalable, replicable, inclusive, and sustainable while advancing economic equality.”
Manoranjan Behera, Executive Director of AJSA India, shared his pride in receiving this recognition: “We are immensely proud and grateful to be recognized by Bridgestone India, and we dedicate this prestigious award to the incredible women leaders of our communities. It is their determination, hard work, and leadership that has made the ‘Green Express’ initiative a success. This project reflects our commitment to empowering women farmers in remote tribal communities by improving their access to markets, resources and strengthen the climate resilience. By enhancing mobility, we have transformed not just livelihoods, but the confidence of entire communities to deal with socio-economic vulnerabilities and changing climate. This award reinforces our commitment to creating lasting impact and building pathways for social and economic inclusion in the most vulnerable geographies.”
