UKHRUL: The second National Changemakers Meet and Changemaker Awards 2026 brought together 51 grassroots changemakers from 28 states and union territories at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat from October 1 to 4, with participants from several northeastern states, including Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Assam.
The four-day event was organised by Vadodara-based non-profit Samanway Pratishthan in association with India Foundation at Gujarat Sahakar Bhavan, Statue of Unity. ChargeZone was the co-powering partner, while the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited and Conmat Pvt. Ltd. were associated with the event.
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The participants work across a range of areas, including tribal welfare, education, rural development, skill development, youth development, sustainability, waste management, arts and culture, governance and human trafficking.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Shankar Choudhary, speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly and chairman of Banas Dairy. A special session featured former Gujarat cabinet minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, while Zydex Group chairman and managing director Ajay Ranka attended the valedictory and awards ceremony.
The meet featured presentations, workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions, besides the Changemakers Awards, aimed at recognising grassroots initiatives and connecting social sector practitioners from across the country.
Dr Jigar Inamdar, convener of Samanway Pratishthan, said the gathering sought to build a national network of grassroots changemakers and expand its reach. He also noted the participation of representatives from northeastern states and government officials.
The changemakers initiative traces its origins to Yugaantar, a national youth conference launched in 2012 to identify and recognise individuals working for social change. It subsequently evolved into the Gujarat Changemakers Meet in July 2024, followed by the first National Changemakers Meet in 2025.
According to the organisers, the initiative has recognised more than 250 individuals since its inception. The network has since developed into The Changemakers Network (TCN), intended to connect grassroots changemakers across India.
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Two changemakers from Manipur, Chokhone Krichena and Jimmy Thangjam, were featured.
Krichena, founder and CEO of Dianthe Private Limited, is transforming Manipur’s floriculture sector by connecting local flower growers with wider markets. Based in Mao, Senapati district, she established the enterprise in 2021 to turn locally grown flowers into dried flowers, arrangements, home décor, gifting products and event decorations.
Known as the “Flower Lady of Manipur”, Krichena works with more than 300 farmers and artisans, predominantly women, promoting sustainable practices and creating market opportunities beyond the state. A botany graduate from Pune University with a master’s degree in biotechnology from Assam Downtown University, she combines scientific knowledge with traditional farming practices and product development.
Jimmy Thangjam, founder of Edubrium Institute Foundation, focuses on inclusive livelihoods through community-based enterprises, particularly for people with disabilities, rural women and young entrepreneurs.
Established in 2023, the foundation promotes entrepreneurship, livelihood development and market access. One of its initiatives, Sign Crafts SHG, brought together 12 deaf community members in Manipur to establish a self-help group with support from the Azim Premji Foundation. The initiative has facilitated more than ₹13 lakh in production and sales, according to his profile.
Thangjam’s work builds on earlier initiatives through Tweak Learning, which trained more than 500 young people and supported over 50 enterprises. His approach emphasises community ownership, market access and sustainable income generation.
The two changemakers represent different approaches to grassroots development in Manipur, with Krichena building market opportunities around local floriculture and Thangjam promoting inclusive entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities for underserved communities.
Disclaimer: This report is based on information provided to Ukhrul Times. The information has been reproduced for editorial consideration and has not been independently verified by Ukhrul Times.
