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Ajaita Shah of Frontier Markets and Shuchin Bajaj of Ujala Cygnus Hospitals were recognized for their work in empowering women and providing healthcare in rural India.
At the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos, two remarkable Indian social entrepreneurs, Ajaita Shah and Shuchin Bajaj, were honored with the prestigious Schwab Foundation Social Innovation Awards. Their groundbreaking initiatives are transforming lives and empowering communities in India.
Ajaita Shah: Empowering Rural Women through Frontier Markets
Ajaita Shah, the founder and CEO of Frontier Markets India, is a passionate advocate for rural women’s economic empowerment. Her platform leverages technology to connect women entrepreneurs with rural households, providing essential goods and services. With a vision to serve 100 million rural households by 2030, Shah’s work has already impacted over 1 million women customers in thousands of villages.
Shuchin Bajaj: Expanding Access to Healthcare with Ujala Cygnus Hospitals
Shuchin Bajaj, the Founder and Director of Ujala Cygnus Hospitals India, is revolutionizing healthcare delivery in underserved regions of the country. His network of 20 hospitals provides super-specialty and emergency care in areas lacking such facilities. Bajaj is also an investor in health tech and co-founded Medpho, a digital health startup that offers quality healthcare at zero out-of-pocket cost to hundreds of patients monthly.
Global Recognition for Social Impact
The Schwab Foundation Social Innovation Awards recognize outstanding organizations and individuals driving positive social change worldwide. This year’s awardees represent a diverse range of initiatives, from promoting Indigenous stewardship of Amazon forests to empowering youth through sports and technology. The collective impact of these organizations has improved the lives of over 890 million people in more than 190 countries since 1998.
Corporate Social Innovation and Public Sector Leadership
In addition to social entrepreneurs, the awards also honor pioneering corporate initiatives and public sector leaders who champion the social economy. Saugata Banerjee, Global Head of Sustainable Programming Singapore at EssilorLuxottica, and Ruchika Singhal, President of Medtronic LABS USA, were recognized for their contributions to affordable eye care and healthcare delivery in underserved communities.
The Schwab Foundation Social Innovation Awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of social entrepreneurs like Ajaita Shah and Shuchin Bajaj. Their dedication to empowering women, expanding healthcare access, and fostering sustainable development serves as an inspiration to us all. By recognizing and supporting these change-makers, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
Article Credit: goodreturns