A “Social Enterprise Innovations Seminar – Enhancing Service Delivery to the Underserved” was hosted by the Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), under the auspices of National Institute for Transforming India Aayog (NITI Aayog), with the World Bank Group as knowledge partner. Participants and speakers included Ms. Isabel Guerrero, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy for the Harvard Kennedy School and former Vice President of the World Bank Southeast Asia; Dr. A Didar Singh, Secretary General FICCI; Shri Nirankar Saxena, Senior Director of FICCI; and Mr. Michael Haney, Senior Advisor, World Bank Group; as well as Ms. Jyotsna Sitling, Senior Officer from Small Industries Development Bank of India.
All were especially commended by Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji for their work to address the underserved. Pujya Swamiji inspired those in attendance saying, “The very fact that we are gathered here discussing, planning and committing to actions we will take to serve the undeserved is a great step forward and truly the need of the hour. This to me is the real worship- the real pooja. Global Interfaith WASH Alliance is with you in whatever capacity you may need to provide the much needed clean water, sanitation and hygiene services to those who need it the most.”
Sadhvi Bhagawatiji, Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, shared, “It is becoming more and more evident that we cannot talk about progress, economic growth and success in a vacuum. We cannot have any progress or development without including those who are impoverished and lacking access to basic facilities we take for granted, such as toilets and clean water filters. Just like if the left leg is injured the right leg picks up the weight without hesitation, without any discussion and without any expectation of a reward, in the same way when we see our brothers and sisters underserved we don’t need to be told to act to meet that need. Today, with the increasing population in dire need, the call to action is even greater and more urgent, so let us join hands and join hearts, pledging to work together.”
Ms. Isabel Guerrero, Senior Lecturer, Harvard Kennedy School, Former V.P. World Bank S. Asia, Dr. A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI, Shri Nirankar Saxena, Senior-Director of FICCI, and Mr. Michael Haney, Senior Advisor, World Bank Group as well as Ms. Jyotsna Sitling, Senior Officer from Small Industries
WASH Alliance, shared, “It is becoming more and more evident that we cannot talk about progress, economic growth and success in a vacuum. We cannot have any progress or development without including those who are impoverished and lacking access to basic facilities we take for granted, such as toilets and clean water filters. Just like if the left leg is injured the right leg picks up the weight, without hesitation, without any discussion and without any expectation of a reward, in the same way when we see our brothers and sisters underserved we don’t need to be told to act to meet that need. Today, with the increasing population in dire need the call to action is even greater and more urgent, so let us join hands and join hearts, pledging to work together.”
Ms. Isabel Guerrero, Senior Lecturer, Harvard Kennedy School, Former V.P. World Bank S. Asia, Dr. A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI, Shri Nirankar Saxena, Senior-Director of FICCI, and Mr. Michael Haney, Senior Advisor, World Bank Group as well as Ms. Jyotsna Sitling, Senior Officer from Small Industries Development Bank of India, were especially honoured by Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji for their commendable efforts.