T. Raja (South Zone)
An errant child, T Raja, found himself living on the streets of Chennai. His parents had given up on him and he was given to stealing and substance abuse. By the time he was 15, Raja was behind bars. But the two months in jail changed him. Once out he started driving an autorickshaw to earn a living. As he drove through the city, images of poor and homeless kept reminding him of the drudgery and neglect that he had once been a part of. Raja then set up the Home of Hope to give street dwellers a shelters. Over the years more than 3000 people have been looked after by Raja at this home.

Sujatha Bhat & Kalpana Mallya from ‘Asha Jeevan’ (South Zone)
For more than 90 senior citizens in Bangalore, Asha Jeevan is their only family, their only home. The home was started in 2000 by Sujatha Bhat and Kalpana Mallya. They also take care of partially disabled and bedridden elders. Sujatha and Kalpana have made Asha Jeevan a safe haven, a comfort zone, that brings meaning and dignity to the lives of senior citizens in their twilight years.

Hirbaiben Ibrahimbhai Lobi (West Zone)
Hirbaiben Ibrahimbhai Lobi is a true grass root entrepreneur. She comes from a tribal clan, the Siddi community that has lived with meager resources and no real opportunity. Hirbai decided to change all of that. She took a loan to start an organic compost farm and employed women of her community. In no time the women of Jambur village were on their feet. Hirbai was determined she had to improve the condition of her people, with a radio by her side. She got the tribals to take tips on scientific ways of farming. She then set up a kindergarten school and is now aiming for a high school and college for the children of the area.

Sister Mariola (West Zone)
Sister Mariola is the only connect that inmates at the Ajmer Jail have with the outside world. She is their messenger, their guide and a friend they can open up to. She came to Ajmer in 1979 as a teacher at a local college. With the Ajmer Women’s Cell just across the school, she decided to put her free time with under trial women from poor families. Initially Sister Mariola was only an attentive listener, but gradually she started studying their papers and arranging legal aid. She has managed to get many cases on the fast track and got the authorities to take notice of inmates who had already served their terms. She also engages the women inmates in activities like making paper bags from waste newspapers. She then sells these bags for the inmates so they could afford small luxuries like cosmetics and snacks She continues her work at the Ajmer prison as inmates wait for her every week

Chandrashekhar Sankurathri (South Zone)
After losing his wife and two children to terrorist bombings aboard a flight from Ottawa to Mumbai in 1985, Dr. Chandra lost the will to live. He quit his job as biologist in Ottawa, and returned to his village in Andhra Pradesh. It is here that he found a reason to live. He set up the Sarada School in 1992. Named after his daughter, it has helped educate more than 1200 students. He also started the Srikiran Eye hospital, named after his late 4 yr old son. 90% of cataract surgeries performed in this hospital are free of cost.