Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu

Ashoka Innovators for the Public organised a programme to launch David Bronstein’s book ‘How to Change the World, Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas’ and to honour two new members with Ashoka Fellowship on January 9 at Hotel Dwarika’s, Battisputali.

Ashoka is an international organisation established in 1980 by Bill Drayton that invests in social entrepreneurs in different countries around the world with more than 1,200 fellows in its global fellowship. Introducing Ashoka, Sadhana Shrestha, country representative of Nepal, Ashoka Innovators for the Public, welcomed two new fellows under Ashoka, "We are glad to have two new members under Ashoka Fellowship who have put their endeavour for the women with innovative ideas to strengthen women, society and country itself."

Mandira Sharma of Advocacy Forum Nepal and Lily Thapa of Single Woman Society were conferred with Ashoka pin as an honour. Chief guest of the event Bharat Dutta Koirala conferred the new members with the pins.

Sharma has been working for those women who have been in detention and are suffering injustice. She shared, "I feel proud to be honoured." Sharing her experiences she added, "Though the legal system provides all the judiciary procedures, we have been lacking in several aspects. Our motive is to bring the concerned groups at one table and discuss ideas and implement for the sake of these women."

Lily Thapa shared, "Women who have lost their husbands have been facing problems from family, society and still there are some religious problems. Women who have great input in the society are falling behind because of such barriers and Single Woman Society has been working hard to bring them to the front." The Society has branches in 25 districts and has over 800 members.

Introducing the book, Anil Chitrakar said: "The book is a must read which emphasises on ‘can be done’ attitude. The book is about social entrepreneurs and talks about how these people have created history by trying new things in their life."

Endorsed by Nelson Mandela, the book cites examples of some great people from different countries including Bangladesh and India. Chief guest Koirala shared, "Innovations and ideas change the society and it feels proud that we have found two new change-makers in the society."