
From Livelihoods To Leadership: India’s Reema Nanavaty Wins Hillary Clinton Award
SEWA Director Reema Nanavaty has been recognised globally for helping women workers build livelihoods, economic independence and resilience.

SEWA Director Reema Nanavaty has been recognised globally for helping women workers build livelihoods, economic independence and resilience.

Founded by environmental lawyer Nadeem Qadri, Pampore’s free Nature School uses Kashmir’s vibrant wetlands and saffron fields as an open-air classroom to nurture environmental stewards.

K. R. Usha Kumari spent years trekking through forests to educate tribal children in Kerala before her school’s closure led to her reassignment as a sweeper in 2022.

Former UN High Commissioner Navi Pillay dedicated her life to defending human rights, dismantling apartheid, and championing international justice for marginalized communities worldwide.

From pioneering India’s indigenous space and missile programmes to inspiring generations as President, Dr. Kalam’s journey remains a testament to knowledge, humility and public service.

Despite freezing delivery rooms, oxygen shortages and cultural taboos, Dr Tsering Landol dedicated decades to improving women’s healthcare in Ladakh.

Former railway engineer Gangadhar Tilak Katnam and his wife Venkateshwari spent 15 years repairing over 2,000 potholes across Hyderabad using his pension, inspiring the citizen movement Shramadaan.

82-year-old educator Padmini brought her ‘School on Wheels’ to Kodaikanal’s Kombai tribal settlements, using hygiene lessons and integrated learning to enroll 50+ first-generation learners into education.

After six UPSC attempts, Shruti Shrivastava restarted at 30, founding Project Neev to empower 900 rural children with tablet-based learning and train 30 village women as learning facilitators.

Founded in 2020, the Enlightened India Foundation empowers rural girls through education, digital safety and leadership training while helping communities address infrastructure concerns.