READ-India’s Grassroots Heroes Win Big at Amazon Ideathon SAHYOG

New Delhi, 12 December 2025 — The loudest applause at Amazon India’s Ideathon SAHYOG this year was reserved for voices from the grassroots. READ-India, a long-term implementing partner of Amazon India, watched its community ambassadors—Gram Mitras and Pragati Mitras—win top honours at the second edition of the Ideathon, reinforcing the growing importance of community-led development in corporate social engagement.

The recognition came at Ideathon SAHYOG, a flagship initiative of Amazon India’s Community Engagement team, themed around “Sahyog”, or collaboration. The event brought together NGOs, skill-based volunteers, government representatives and corporate partners who are collectively working to deliver measurable social impact across India.

Building Change from the Ground Up

For READ-India, the moment was the result of nearly a decade of groundwork. For the last eight years, the organisation has partnered with Amazon India to design and implement the Gram Mitra and Pragati Mitra model—an approach rooted in empowering local volunteers to act as community ambassadors.

These volunteers work closely with Gram Panchayats, labour officers and police authorities, addressing challenges in education, women’s empowerment, livelihoods, health and environmental sustainability. Over time, they have evolved into vital connectors between Amazon’s facilities and neighbouring communities, helping people access social security schemes and government welfare programmes that often remain out of reach.

Scaling Impact Through Collaboration

As Amazon’s operations expanded, so did the need for deeper, more trusted community engagement. Ideathon SAHYOG emerged as a platform to recognise organisations and individuals who are solving complex social challenges through collaboration.

Throughout the day-long event, Amazon India celebrated partners delivering impact in livelihoods, food security and social security, often by combining on-ground expertise with skill-based volunteering. READ-India’s ground partners stood out for translating strategy into action at the community level—where trust, consistency and local leadership matter most.

“Community engagement has always been the focal point for READ-India,” said Geeta Malhotra, India Head, READ-India. “With our community-first approach, we engage, empower and educate rural communities with patience and perseverance, keeping our focus firmly on long-term outcomes.”

Recognition and the Road Ahead

The impact of that approach was reflected in the awards. Two READ-India-trained ambassadors claimed top honours at Ideathon SAHYOG. Jatin Kumar won the Best Gram Mitra Award, while Suraj Mandal received the Best Pragati Mitra Award under the Ideathon SAHYOG Rewards and Recognition category.

The Community Ambassador Awards celebrate volunteers whose efforts have delivered meaningful engagement and significant social outcomes. For READ-India and Amazon India, the wins validated a model where community members themselves lead change.

The recognition signals a larger shift in how corporate-community partnerships will evolve—moving from transactional outreach to sustained, local collaboration. As Amazon and READ-India continue to deepen their engagement, the Gram Mitra and Pragati Mitra model offers a blueprint for scalable, inclusive development anchored in trust and cooperation.

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