Living Up to the Name: Ashoka Changemakers

There’s a lot of social initiatives and entrepreneurs which come from the communities they wish to serve. At the same time however, the more well-to-do sections of society have a responsibility to look out for those that are marginalised. From such a philosophy comes Ashoka Changemakers.

Ashoka Changemakers is an organization which seeks to empower those on the ground who are trying to transform their communities in better ways. Sumita Ghose for example, utilised Ashoka Changemakers to help craftsmen and artisans get better returns from their labor. Thus she collaborated with Fabindia to start Rangasutra.

Rangasutra connects over 1 lakh artisans from rural India to the prominent retail chain. By ensuring that they get a fair price for their products, it directly improves rural livelihoods and income levels. Thus the initiative not only protects Indian heritage but also creates opportunities for the people who safeguard it.

Rangasutra is only one of the many initiatives overseen by Ashoka Changemakers. Overall, the organisation has made a huge impact on the ground by helping grassroots level changemakers get access to the resources they require. In one or the other, Ashoka Changemakers is making an impact on the lives of the most needy, most vulnerable and most marginalised sections of Indian society.