India, a country of bewildering diversity, is the world’s seventh-largest country and home to a sixth of the global population.
In striving continually to resolve the paradoxes of the present, and to endow security to the future, there is a very real danger of losing our greatest anchor – the common past of humankind. India's extraordinary antiquity marches alongside the country's thrust into the 21st century, a great blessing but also a curse.
To move forward change must be embraced - but it must also be controlled for the betterment of life, and of lives. Through their endeavours, institutions and individuals can mitigate the impact of change on cultural heritage and the environment, while promoting health and well-being.
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise play a commendable role in supporting the vision and efforts of such individuals seemingly in every sphere of meaningful activity. May its Laureates multiply!
Mahrukh Tarapor is a museum consultant and a 2012 Rolex Awards Jury member
Vital role for ancient medicine
Laurent Pordié, 2000 Laureate
In remote Ladakh, a Tibetan herbal medicine has been prevented from dying out, thanks in part to the intervention of French anthropologist and ethno-pharmacologist Laurent Pordié.
Beauty among the rigors of Kutch
Chanda Shroff, 2006 Laureate
More than 22,000 women in India's rugged Kutch region have seen their lives transformed thanks to Chanda Shroff, who, since 1969, has been reviving the embroidery tradition.
India’s unconventional conservationist
Romulus Whitaker, 2008 Associate Laureate
A lifelong interest in snakes has naturally led wildlife conservationist Romulus Whitaker to look for ways to protect the precious water and rainforests of his adopted land.
Saving lives on India’s roads
Piyush Tewari, 2010 Young Laureate
India has the highest number of traffic accidents in the world. Appalled by the needless loss of life, Piyush Tewari is training volunteers in first aid to stop people dying while they wait for emergency care.
Champion of a camel culture
Ilse K?hler-Rollefson, 2002 Associate Laureate
For over 20 years, Ilse K?hler-Rollefson has been campaigning for the Raika people of Rajasthan and the camels that are at the heart of their lives. Her work has grown rapidly to include the defence of pastoralist peoples worldwide.
Touching upon a vision
Sumit Dagar, 2012 Young Laureate
Many of India's millions of blind people have been left out of the smartphone revolution, increasing their isolation in a fast-moving world. Sumit Dagar is designing a prototype of an affordable Braille phone that will open the door to technology.
Defending India’s last wild places
Shekar Dattatri, 2004 Associate Laureate
A childhood love for the animal kingdom naturally led Shekar Dattatri to a career as a wildlife film-maker. As he witnessed the effect of development on the wilderness, he decided to make films that not only document wildlife, but also motivate people to protect it.
