DRDO Wins Changemaker of the Year for Pioneering Strategic Technologies
In a night filled with celebration, innovation, and inspiration, The Hindu Businessline’s Changemaker Awards 2025 recognized organisations and individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to society. Among the luminaries, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) emerged as the recipient of the prestigious Changemaker of the Year Award, underscoring its pivotal role in advancing India’s strategic defence technologies.
The ceremony, held in Mumbai, was a vibrant showcase of brilliance and dedication. From the soulful fluteboxing performance of R. Sudhir that opened the evening to the reflective words of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri who closed it with stories from his diplomatic journey, the event highlighted the spirit of transformation in multiple domains including education, social welfare, and indigenous technological innovation.
DRDO’s Remarkable Journey to National Security Excellence
The DRDO’s recognition was particularly tied to its exemplary performance during Operation Sindoor, where the organisation played a critical role in neutralizing threats and securing India’s borders. Raja Babu Ummalaneni, Distinguished Scientist and Director General of Missiles and Strategic Systems, accepted the award on behalf of DRDO. He reflected on the organisation’s commitment to making India self-reliant in defence technology across domains such as underwater, sea, land, air, space, and cyber.
“Today our organisation works on all critical defence technologies starting from underwater, sea, land, air, space, and cyber technologies. Our endeavour is to make the country self-reliant in this very critical domain of defence technologies,” said Ummalaneni.
DRDO’s recognition is a testament to its tireless efforts to safeguard the nation, innovate in high-stakes environments, and push the boundaries of technological excellence.
Honouring Changemakers Across Society
While DRDO led the night with its strategic accomplishments, the event celebrated a wide spectrum of changemakers transforming lives across India. The Iconic Changemaker Award was conferred upon the Azim Premji Foundation, a trailblazer in education and healthcare, which has collaborated with over 1,320 partner organisations and engaged more than 2,500 members to make a lasting impact nationwide.
The Social Transformation Award went to Hasina Karbhih’s Impulse NGO Network for its unwavering dedication to anti-trafficking initiatives and rehabilitation of vulnerable women and children affected by hazardous mining in Meghalaya. Meanwhile, Bhashini, a government-backed project utilising AI for accurate language translation, received the Digital Transformation Award for its daily handling of over 20 million translation requests.
Kalpana Kumari, managing director of Girijan Cooperative Corporation, earned the Financial Transformation Award for her work in promoting the unique Araku Valley coffee and improving tribal livelihoods with the help of AI technologies. The Young Changemaker Award highlighted the innovative spirit of Kalyani Shinde, founder of Godaam Innovations, who developed India’s first IoT-based onion storage solution, helping reduce wastage and monitor warehouse microclimates.
Education-focused efforts were also celebrated with eVidyaloka receiving the Chairperson’s Award for bridging the literacy gap through digital classrooms and a global volunteer network, further demonstrating the breadth of transformative work recognised at the event.
Celebrating Collaboration and Excellence
The seventh edition of the Changemaker Awards was powered by a consortium of partners committed to fostering innovation and societal growth. SASTRA Deemed University presented the awards, with the State Bank of India co-powering the event. Associate partners included LIC, Bank of Baroda, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, NTPC Ltd, GAIL, ICFAI Business School, Oil India Ltd, and Singareni Collieries Company Limited. The Government of Sikkim served as the state partner, with Citizen, SSVM Institutions, and Ultra contributing as luxury watch, education, and home appliance partners respectively.
The diversity of awardees and partners exemplified the collaborative spirit necessary for meaningful change, highlighting that innovation, compassion, and strategic foresight together drive real transformation.
A Night of Inspiration and Reflection
The Changemaker Awards 2025 showcased the power of determination, innovation, and vision in transforming society and strengthening national capabilities. DRDO’s recognition as Changemaker of the Year underscores the significance of strategic technological advancements in safeguarding the nation, while the achievements of other awardees demonstrated the profound impact of creativity and dedication in social, educational, and technological spheres.
As India continues to innovate and grow, events like the Changemaker Awards not only honour achievements but also inspire a new generation of visionaries to strive for excellence in their respective fields.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on publicly available sources and is intended for informational purposes only.
