Bridgestone India announced the winners of the 4th Edition of the Mobility Social Impact Awards in Pune at a ceremony attended by industry leaders and social change-makers. Mobility Social Impact Award (MSIA) is an initiative aimed at recognising and celebrating innovative mobility solutions transforming India's landscape. The winners were awarded a cumulative prize of Rs. 30 lakh, spanning three categories.

The Mobility Social Impact Awards recognizes excellence in three categories, first Accessible Mobility which covers innovative solutions improving access to essential services like healthcare, nutrition, education, livelihoods, and social inclusion, Second, Safe Mobility promoting inclusive transportation, bridging the gender gap, mitigating disasters, and enhancing road safety and third is Smart Mobility which is Solutions driving transformative social impact, including poverty elimination, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development of rural communities. This year's competition got outstanding winners in the first two categories. However, Jury did not identify a project that fully met the criteria for the third category. As a result, winners were announced for the first two categories only.

“It is a privilege for us at Bridgestone to honour organizations that have made an impact on society. These organizations are doing commendable work by addressing and providing solutions to pressing needs of communities while at the same time working towards improving the quality of life of those whom they serve” said Mr. Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director Bridgestone India

KAM Foundation from Pune, Maharashtra is the winner in the category Mobility for empowerment of vulnerable groups for their initiative on “Sustainable livelihood in sanitation”. This initiative is developed in line with their philosophy “Cleaning and Maintenance with Pride and Dignity” focusing to elevate the professional, economic and social status of our Sanitation workers on par with the likes of any other maintenance professional through mechanization and compliance to occupational safety standards. The initiative changed 50 lives of unorganized, daily wages sanitation workers by giving them an opportunity to work with Pride & Dignity at Par with any other maintenance professionals.

Anchalik Jana Seva Anusthan (AJSA) from Chandotara, Odisha is the winner in the category Increased access to resources for the initiative on “Green Express” which has transformed lives of 3,500 tribal households. Through innovative farm-based interventions climate-resilient crops, livestock rearing, and the introduction of the ‘Green Express’ electric vehicle carts, the project has significantly enhanced the mobility and economic capacity of women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs). These eco-friendly EV carts helped reduce transportation costs, opened new market avenues, and boosted profits.

The first Runner-up is Kranti Shirur, Pune based organization in the category Mobility for empowerment of vulnerable groups for their initiative on ‘Empowering marginalized women and girls’. Their project provided comprehensive support to 2,460 survivors of gender-based violence and educated 2,000 children, including 460 girls, while facilitating entitlements for 7,695 beneficiaries.

The second Runner-up is Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (CEFHA) Trust from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in the category Increased access to resources for their project ‘Empowering Adivasi Women through Mobility Skills’ (Auto Rickshaw Driving Training for Women). This project helped women to engage in entrepreneurial activities, such as small-scale trading, which further boosts their economic status.

Tata Steel Foundation from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand has received an award on the jury’s special recommendation for their outstanding efforts for their project ‘Masti Ki Pathshala’

The association of people with disability from Bangalore, Karnataka has also received an award on Jury’s special recommendation for their project Rehab on Wheels (ROW) “Reaching the Unreachable – Comprehensive Rehab Service in the Last Mile”. The project offered accessible and affordable rehabilitation for all people with disabilities and beneficiaries at the last mile, therapy services at geriatric centers and orphanages made available health and wellness camps at the doorsteps.

The jury comprised Mr. Sanjay Sasane Principal, Institute of Driver Training & Research (IDTR), Pune, Dr. Deepak Walokar Former Director, Karve Institute of Social Service, Pune and MS Smita Agarwal Former Head Education, Tata Steel CSR. Bridgestone India was represented on the jury by Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director Bridgestone India, Ms Ranu Kulshreshtha, Head of CSR & Mr Sudhir Kulkarni, Executive Director, HR & Admin

Awardees were felicitated at the event by Chief Guest Dr. Lina Kashyap, Professor Emeritus and past Deputy Director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Award Ceremony was attended by dignitaries from corporates, NGOs and Government and local administration.