Instituted by iCONGO in partnership with the UN to encourage proactive citizenship. www.rexideas.com www.righteverywrong.com www.karmaveerglobalawards.com Prayer I stand with respect and humility before myself and among Karmaveers, free from all past inhibitions, to replace them with character strengths and virtues. I act in harmony with my fellows to fulll our mission. I beseech the indomitable power within me to help me uphold the code and credo of Karmaveer fellowship. Placing others before self, I proceed with steadfastness and fearlessness towards my purpose with a compassionate heart and an ethical mind. I stand here for the weak, the needy and the old. I accept my faults as my own alone, and with modesty place all the credit and praise of my deed on the fellowship. I practice non conformity and step out to be and lead the change. I am the change. I have within me unending everlasting strength to persevere and right every wrong. I shall proceed with the courage of conviction and a determined march. I will fulll my tasks with the utmost diligence and sincerity, for it is on my honour. I am here because I want to be. I have heard the voice of my conscience. I have awoken. I bear the mark of Karmaveer Chakra on the palm of my hands and the soles of my feet that are the innite source of my energy that propels me forward. I resolve to do my duty and to live honourably. I invoke the powers within me to ignite. I am a warrior. I am a Karmaveer. Dr.Verghese Kurien receiving his award from honorable Indian statesmen and iCONGO chief patrons, the late Shri. Vasant Sathe (leading parliamentarian, socialist, lawyer and veteran minister) and Shri. L.M. Singhvi (India’s leading jurist, diplomat, parliamentarian, constitutional expert and scholar who spoke about the constitution, our rights and duties in the rst ever REX CONCLiVE) “Of all the awards I have been honoured with, Karmaveer Puraskaar holds a special place in my heart, since unlike most other awards, one does not need to indulge in any nepotism or lobby with any political or social faction for the Karmaveer award. One can simply earn this honour and recognition by doing something noble to make a dierence in our world.” Dr. Kurien, our rst Karmaveer Puraskaar Lifetime Achievement Award recipient said this to our founders during the ceremony and he expressed the same to his life partner, Mrs. Molly Kurien (who had also accompanied him for the award ceremony because Dr. Kurien insisted on being present at awards despite his failing health) and whose wish was that the Karmaveer Puraskaar - Global awards for Social Justice and Citizen Action should be mentioned topmost in the press release, issued aer his death. is was seen in this Times of India article that rst appeared aer his death on 9th September 2012 (http://articles.timesondia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-10/ranchi/ 33736253_1_verghese-kurien-tata-steel-white-revolution). Mrs. Molly Kurien told us about this when we called her to express our condolences aer Dr. Kurien passed away in 2012. Dr. Verghese Kurien, undoubtedly the greatest Indian aer Gandhiji and who was India’s and the world’s most leading, fearless, honest and committed social entrepreneur has le behind a lasting legacy, with his huge contribution for communities and environment. As a mark of our respect and a tribute for the legend, whose idea for action has made a huge dierence in the lives of thousands of million people and children across the globe, we shall be naming the REX Karmaveer annual award as the Verghese Kurien - REX Karmaveer Puraskaar. We shall also continue to campaign for the Bharat Ratna for Dr. Verghese Kurien, a recognition that has been denied to him because of the fearless stands he took against emergency and several other wrong doings by several governments over the years. All content in this booklet has been mostly created by members of the rst batch of REX Karmaveer Global Fellows of 2012-13. Dear Friends and REX KARMAVEER GLOBAL FELLOWS, accept the Karmaveer. Although most of them like Kaizaad, have a robust body of work that has been actioned by them, they feel that living up to the honour, values and beliefs Be the change you want to see in our world - Mahatma Gandhi I cannot teach anyone anything, I can only make you think - Socrates of the Karmaveer Puraskaar needs huge responsibility and that they need to do more substantial citizen action before they accept the honour. I inherently believe that everyone has the greatness within themselves to be a hero, a Namaste! is Eastern wisdom means that ‘the God in me salutes the God in you’. e humility and commitment of people like Kaizaad and Ricardo Rebello, another leader and a champion for change. We as human beings must elicit that greatness within Warmest Greetings to all our REX KARMAVEER GLOBAL FELLOWS (present and rebrand activist from Goa, who also shied from the Karmaveer for the same people and help people to unleash their potential. If all of our ideas and actions can future) from all of us at iCONGO and REX! reasons, inspired me to put together the rst cadre of the REX KARMAVEER GLOBAL inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, realize more and lead more for the For the past few years since the time we had the 2nd Karmaveer Puraskaar (global FELLOWS. greater common purpose; then we all can become true leaders who dream, become and awards for social justice and citizen action) ceremony and RIGHT every WRONG lead the change. For the 1st cadre of the RKGF, we chose an eclectic combine of people from all over Conclave, I have been thinking about creating an inclusive fellowship program where the world, which includes everyone from life-changing innovators, brave crusaders and we bring together people from all walks of life between the age groups of 7 to 70 + years, When you learn, teach. When you get, give. - Maya Angelou soldiers of peace and justice to integrate within the REX and Karmaveer community for who have the integrity intent, capability and compassion to embark on the path of sharing their thought provoking ideas for action, with millions of people across the making a dierence in our society and world. As a leadership coach I have also observed that albeit living and working in the globe for transforming lives through social impact projects and ideas of hope. REX knowledge era, there is very little value people give to learning and enhancing their own Karmaveer Kid-Power Fellows, REX Karmaveer Youth-Power Fellows, REX Karmaveer “Sometimes a small thing that you do can mean everything in another person's life. knowledge or sharing knowledge with others. is is the best form of giving and giving Senior Fellows and REX Karmaveer Veteran Fellows evolve from many knowledge Please do not just give money as it does not make any change; but get involved. is not just about giving money but giving time, eort and involvement to bring about disciplines that reect the diversity of the Fellowships. Give your time and eort. Check the impact your ‘GIVING’ is making and ask for change, by creating awareness about social issues. accountability as that would ensure more impact than just giving a little money, e only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing ese thoughts, beliefs and values have become the bedrock for our fellowships and which is squandered mindlessly by aid agencies. Remember it is not mindless, the idea is to create a virtuous cycle for learning where everyone in the RKGF can be a - Edmund Burke arrogant charity but humble, involved social justice that is wanting in our world.” mentor and a mentee to become and lead the change. Several REX Karmaveer have - Jeroninio Almeida already begun learning from each other and some brilliant examples have been tabled RKGF shall be inclusive of people who are making a dierence in Technology, Inno- already. Just to cite a couple of examples. A very senior captain of industry has learnt vation, Entertainment, Media, Design, Performing Arts, Architecture, Engineering, e idea of the fellowship nally became a crystal clear action in 2012 when I more about social media from a young IT entrepreneur and a young student has learnt Aviation, Creative Arts, Fine Arts, Sciences, and Humanities. RKGF also comprises of nominated Kaizaad Kotwal, the Emmy Award winning actor, playwright and the art of writing and editing from a very senior journalist and author. So I am very Writers and Authors, Journalists, Activists, Whistle- Blowers, Students, NGO Leaders, philanthropist for the Karmaveer Puraskaar. Kaizaad has done remarkable work to happy that everyone is keeping an open mind to learning. CSR Professionals, Investment Bankers, Entrepreneurs, Fundraisers, Humane Business make a dierence in our society and world. Kaizaad sparked the idea for the inclusive Strategists, Leadership Coaches, Educationists, Citizens from the Armed and Police A constant eort being made from our side is to keep the Karmaveer awards and REX KARMAVEER GLOBAL FELLOWSHIPS (RKGF) with his humility when he said Forces, Government Leaders and Bureaucrats, Diplomats, Engineers, Consultants and REX KARMAVEER GLOBAL FELLOWSHIPS very inclusive and unlike other awards to me, “Jerry, I have done some work but need to do more to deserve the Karmaveer people from several other disciplines and sectors. Like one of our veteran fellows, Mr. and fellowships where nepotism or lobbying may play a big role, we at REX and Puraskaar. So let me do something more path breaking and then accept the award Ravi Chaudhry (former chairman and CEO of several Tata Group companies) rightly Karmaveer do NOT entertain such behaviour or favoritism.