A group of 17 Ashoka Fellows for the year 2015 led by Anshu Gupta, Magsaysay Award winner, called on President Pranab Mukherjee today at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Speaking on the occasion, President Mukherjee said that 'Ashoka Innovators for the Public' (ASHOKA) is a worldwide network of social entrepreneurs comprising people with innovative solutions to urgent social problems.
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"It provides an enabling platform to social entrepreneurs to think and act as change agents. It is a matter of pride that this organization has over the last 35 years of its establishment, mentored and supported over three thousand Ashoka Fellows in eighty two countries, including over 380 Fellows elected from India," said President Mukherjee.
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The President said that there are many social needs that public, private and civil society institutions are not able to meet fully. At the same time, there is tremendous ingenuity amongst the people, which if tapped, could address the necessities of the common men and women.
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"Much as the blooming of the spring, innovations by students, professionals, common man and local communities can bring smiles on the faces of millions of people. The process of innovation converts knowledge into social good and economic wealth. It encourages the engagement of talent with the society to improve the quality of life," he added.
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"Creating an inclusive eco-system call for linkages between innovators on the one hand, and academic and research institutions and market forces, on the other. Countries successful in building such a network have become innovation leaders," Mukherjee said.