Indian technology firm wins the first Stockholm Challenge - GKP Awards 2007

Indian firm based at New Delhi; Ekgaon technologies project “Enabling
financial inclusion and increasing efficiency of Self Help Groups
Microcredit Federations” has won the first Stockholm Challenge – GKP
Award 2007 in the ''economic development'' category. The Stockholm
Challenge - GKP Award recognises initiatives that leverage information
communication technology (ICT) to improve living conditions and
increase economic growth in all parts of the world. It focuses on
social inclusion world-wide and champions ICT projects that show clear
benefits to people and their communities, wide impact and sustainable
business models. Out of 119 entries in the award from across the globe,
nine finalists were chosen by the jury; three in the Education category
and two in each of Culture, Economic Development and Public
Administration.



The four winners for the Stockholm Challenge - GKP Awards 2007 were
announced and celebrated during the GKP Event on the Future at the
Third Global Knowledge Conference, GK3 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on
12th December 2007. The award is a new Information Communication
Technologies (ICT) prize promoted by Global Knowledge Partnership
(GKP), Malaysia and the Stockholm Challenge, Sweden.



The award was received by ekgaon's CEO, Mr. Vijay Pratap Singh
Aditya from Dr. M S Swaminathan, the eminent Indian Scientist and
father of India's Green revolution. The jury commented that the project
demonstrated use of “Accessible tools that facilitate the self
management of communities, an excellent application of technology.” The
ceremony included Mr. Lim Keng Yaik, Minister for Energy, Water and
Communications, Malaysia, Ms. Rinalia Abdul Rahim, Executive Director,
Global Knowledge Partnership, Malaysia Walter Fust, Chair of the GKP
Executive Committee & Director-General for the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation, Switzerland besides over 1000 delegates
from different countries of the world.



Earlier in the year ekgaon’s co-founder and Director, Dr. Tapan S
Parikh was awarded 2007 Humanitarian of the Year Award by Technology
Review 2007 Young Innovator Award (under 35), USA. The prestigious
award shared by leading technology innovator all cross the world
recognised Mr. Parikh's work in new technology development for enabling
access to services using mobiles phones.


Commenting on the recognition received ekgaon's CEO Mr. Vijay
Pratap Singh Aditya said “ekgaon intends to bridge the rural-urban
divide through innovative use of technology for providing services. We
are glad that CAM technology has created platform for banking inclusion
for rural population of the world. We are encouraged by wide acceptance
of our mobile phone based financial inclusion platform for enabling
microfinance access". Mr. Aditya outlined ekgaon's vision to work
towards development of communities in emerging economies such as South
Asia, building communication and information systems for increasing
efficiency of business enterprises and value chain process, he added
that ekgaon is dedicated to provide appropriate and affordable
solutions.