* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
27 February 2014/New Delhi: Promoted by International Confederation of NGOs (iCONGO) and CtrlS Foundation, REX- Ideas for Action CONCLiVE (8th edition 2013-14) was held at Jesus and Mary College, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi from 26-28 February 2014. The Conclive also witnessed the distribution of prestigious ‘Karamveer Puraskaar’ to ‘Unsung Heroes’ who have been doing exemplary work for the society, at the Karamveer Puraskar Ceremony held on 27 February 2014. REX Fellowships & Karmaveer Chakra were awarded to people who have innovative ideas which may make a difference to the world at The Karmaveer Chakra Ceremony and Fellowship night held on 28 February 2014.
Ideas breathe life in us. REX- Ideas for Action CONCLiVE, created in 2006 is the mother of all knowledge and CULTUREtainment events in this part of the world and also the most pioneering ideas for action forum in India. The Latin word for REX is ‘KING’ and REX Conclive, which is the ‘King of all good thought leadership for Change’, invites nexus of leaders who speak out their cutting-edge ideas for the betterment of humanity. REX encourages compelling talks and alternative performances for 15 minutes on a platform across LIVE audiences.
REX Conclive is an initiative that inspires the golden actions of leaders that is backed by one seed of a simple idea. Established on three pillars, it promotes RIGHT EVERY WRONG ACTIONS, EMPOWERING & ENTERTAINING IDEAS AND SOCIAL INNOVATIONS & ENTREPRENEURS. Speeches in REX Conclave cover thematic sectors from Business, Media to Public Health and Youth Affairs. Over the past few years, REX has created huge wisdom to address several social, human and societal issues. The ideas discussed at our REX forum have led to action for educational reforms, climate change, accessibility, humane capitalism, dignity for people living with HIV, etc.
The ‘REX Karamveer Award’ is wholly designed for people with exceptional array of talent and resources. Annually awarded, the Karmaveer Puraskaar applauds the spirit of outstanding human beings, who bring their one dream on floor and unwind it to effect drastic changes for the betterment of the society. Over the years, Karmaveer has become a highly coveted civil society and people’s award. This year we celebrate the 8th year of “KARMAVEER”, to encourage, celebrate and inspire citizen’s action for social justice. The “KARMAVEER PURASKAAR” awards ceremony has over the years become a “MELTING POT” where People from India & Global Citizens that comprise individuals ranging from princes and princesses to global bestselling authors, young politicians, statesmen, bureaucrats, ambassadors, actors, singers, captains of industry, media professionals, development workers, young adults, students, school children, homemakers, academicians, slum workers and others who come “TOGETHER as ONE to RIGHT every WRONG”.
The awards are given out under the following categories:
- Lifetime Achievement Karmaveer Puraskaar
- Global Citizen Karmaveer Puraskaar
- Lifelong Fight for Social Justice KVP
- Government Citizen Karmaveer Puraskaar
- Media Citizen Karmaveer Puraskaar
- Civil Society KVP
- Courage of Conviction Karmaveer Puraskaar
- And Many More
The REX KARMAVEER GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP recognises people who have the courage of conviction to think differently and walk the path less trodden and to act on alternative or innovative ideas which may make a difference in our world. REX KARMAVEER GLOBAL FELLOWS are people who have the intent to make a difference or are already making a difference by being voices of conscience and trying to make a difference in our world with their significant actions to be the change.
The REX Fellowship helps world-changing innovators from around the globe become part of the REX community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities. The fellows are also awarded Karmaveer Chakra, a national medallion for voluntary services, instituted by iCONGO in 2008, in association with the UN.
The REX Conclive (8th edition 2013) witnessed the launch of 3 bestselling inspirational books by Abha M Banerjee, Sunil Robert, Jeroninio Almeida and Jyoti Nanda. Abha Banerjee and Sunil Roberts are REX Fellows 2013-14. The Conclive was attended by many thought leaders, actors, business, media and civil society leaders from India and Global citizens. Notable personality present were Emmy award winning actor Kaizaad Kotwal, renowned musician Deepika Bairy , Nisha Kunju, Dr. Chiro Mitra Amala Akkineni, Mark Parkinson, Aruna Vasudev, Deepa Malik , Abha Maryada Banerjee and many more. The Press was addressed by Jeroninio Almeida, Amala, Jyoti Nanda and various awardees and fellows.
REX Fonder Jeroninio Almeida said on the occasion- Dr. Verghese Kurien said that the Karmaveer was the most credible and dear award to him, since this is one award, where nobody needs to have to lobby or rally for and can simply get the award by making a difference in our society and world by being the change. The Karmaveer Puraskaar awards over the past 8 years have become the most coveted and credible citizen awards across the globe and were instituted in 2006 as the Global awards for social justice and citizen action. Over the year we have partnered with national and international Government bodies, UN organisations and other educational, corporate, media and civil society institutions. In 2008 we instituted Karmaveer Chakra- the medallion for citizen action and social justice to recognise real everyday heroes in society who have begun their journey for making a difference in our world and in 2011 we recognised UN Volunteers in the international year of volunteering. In the same year we also announced KarmaYuga, a collaborative awards program, wherein we are partnering with businesses, media houses, NGOs, UN Organisations, SMEs, PSUs, Educational Institutions, Panchayats and Housing Societies to create a collaborative awards program, where we would institute an award with each organisation to recognise real everyday heroes from the partner institutions for the ethical voluntary citizen actions.
About iCONGO and REX
iCONGO – International Confederation of NGOs believes that it is not mindless & arrogant charity but humble & involved social justice that is wanting in our world . We passionately work with PEOPLE across the globe, for encouraging social justice through citizen action with a vision of creating a just, humane, egalitarian and responsible society. On the other end, we work with the PEOPLE SECTOR (i.e. the NGOs which are rapidly losing out on credibility today), to reclaim and preserve public trust for the people sector. iCONGO has pioneered the process of citizen involvement in the process of social and societal change, by changing mindsets with initiatives that have become huge movements now like Joy of Giving, Right every WRONG, REX- Ideas for Action CONCLiVE and KarmaVeer global awards to recognise real heroes who are making a huge difference in our world with their simple but significant action. . Earlier this year iCONGO also launched Karma Kurry book series in partnership with Jaico – India’s largest non-fiction publishing house, to tell stories about real heroes and inspire people to be the change. The book which has a preface by Mr. Nelson Mandela has become a bestseller and iCONGO is signing the biggest landmark publishing agreement in India with the biggest royalty commitment, wherein all royalties from book sales shall be utilised for discovering and inspiring more real heroes through KarmaYuga. Over the years, all our initiatives have led from the front to get people integrally involved to lead change.
REX, launched in 2006, is dedicated to share Ideas that encourage proactive action. REX is inspired and designed as the Asian equivalent of TED (we draw our inspiration from our mentor & the TED Founder Richard Saul Wurman) and shall be promoted from the East, based on the Eastern Ethos of sharing progressive & traditional wisdom to churn “KINGSIZE Thought Leadership for change @ REX CONCLIVE” (REX is Latin for King).
