Purnima Devi Barman Named Changemaker of the Year at businessline Awards

Conservationist Purnima Devi Barman, widely known as the "Stork Sister", was named Changemaker of the Year at the eighth edition of the businessline Changemaker Awards, presented in Chennai by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Barman was recognised for her work protecting the endangered greater adjutant stork, known locally as the hargila, and for organising village women into a movement that both guards the bird and builds livelihoods. Accepting the honour, she said, "When women rise, magic happens and the hargila takes flight."

The evening also conferred the Iconic Changemaker title on two recipients. The Border Roads Organisation was recognised for constructing and maintaining critical infrastructure in India's remote border regions, while Dr M.R. Rajagopal, founder and chairman emeritus of Pallium India, was honoured for bringing palliative care into mainstream health services.

Awards were given across six categories. Aparna Hegde, founder of the non-profit ARMMAN, took the Digital Transformation award for using technology to reach expectant mothers with health guidance. The Social Transformation category had two winners: Project Sambandh, founded by retired Colonel Vembu Shankar, which supports families of armed forces personnel who die in service but not in combat, and the Sankara Eye Foundation, for expanding access to free eyecare.

Gourmet Popcornica won the Financial Transformation award for building an integrated farm-to-consumer value chain spanning several States. Ariana Agarwal, a 16-year-old from Jaipur, was named Young Changemaker for her work highlighting the conditions of invisible gig workers.

Speaking at the event, Sitharaman said changemakers were making a difference on the ground through their dedication, complementing the efforts of the Centre and the States. Nirmala Lakshman, Director of THG Publishing, said the annual evening recognised both the power of an idea to create change and the persistence needed to carry it through.

businessline Editor Raghuvir Srinivasan said 1,600 nominations had been received, describing the jury's task of selecting winners as a samudra manthan. The ceremony also featured a classical fusion performance.

The awards were presented by Sastra Deemed University and powered by City Union Bank, with a long list of associate partners and Kia Sorento as mobility partner.