Bridgestone India Announces Winners of 4th Edition Mobility Social Impact Awards

Bridgestone India recently concluded the 4th edition of its Mobility Social Impact Awards in Pune, celebrating innovative contributions towards sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions. The winners were awarded a cumulative prize of Rs 30 lakh, spanning three categories. The awards, aimed at recognising individuals and organisations positively impacting society, highlight Bridgestone’s commitment to fostering socially responsible innovation in the mobility sector. Commenting on the occasion, Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director, Bridgestone India said, 'It is a privilege for us at Bridgestone to honour organisations 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.' 

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Bridgestone India Mobility Social Impact Awards

The Mobility Social Impact Awards recognise excellence across three categories. The first is Accessible Mobility, which focuses on innovative solutions that enhance access to essential services such as healthcare, nutrition, education, livelihoods, and social inclusion. The second, Safe Mobility, promotes inclusive transportation, addresses gender disparities, mitigates disasters, and improves road safety. The third category, Smart Mobility, emphasises solutions that create transformative social impacts, such as poverty eradication, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable development of rural communities. While this year's competition saw exceptional winners in the first two categories, the jury did not find a project that fully met the criteria for Smart Mobility. Consequently, winners were announced for only the first two categories.

The Winners

KAM Foundation from Pune, Maharashtra, was the winner in the Accessible Mobility category for its "Sustainable Livelihood in Sanitation" initiative. The project aimed to enhance professional, economic, and social standing of sanitation workers by incorporating mechanisation and occupational safety measures, benefiting 50 unorganised daily-wage workers.

Anchalik Jana Seva Anusthan (AJSA) from Odisha secured the Safe Mobility category award for its "Green Express" initiative, which improved the livelihoods of 3,500 tribal households by introducing climate-resilient crops, livestock rearing, and electric vehicle carts. This enhanced transportation for women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs), lowering costs and creating new market opportunities.

In the Accessible Mobility category, Kranti Shirur from Pune was the first runner-up. Their project aided 2,460 gender-based violence survivors, educated 2,000 children, including 460 girls, and provided entitlements for 7,695 beneficiaries.

The Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (CEFHA) Trust from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was the second runner-up in the Safe Mobility category. Their project, "Empowering Adivasi Women through Mobility Skills," trained women in auto-rickshaw driving, helping them engage in entrepreneurial ventures such as small-scale trading.

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The jury panel comprised Sanjay Sasane, Principal of the Institute of Driver Training & Research (IDTR) in Pune; Deepak Walokar, former Director of the Karve Institute of Social Service, Pune; and Smita Agarwal, former Head of Education at Tata Steel CSR. Representing Bridgestone India were Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director; Ranu Kulshreshtha, Head of CSR; and Sudhir Kulkarni, Executive Director of HR and Administration.