At the heart of the event was the grand unveiling of the book, Chronicles of Social Impact (Edition 1). Supported by the NSE Social Stock Exchange, the book features 11 inspiring stories, each capturing the life journey of a distinguished awardee from the DesiDhaakad Social Impact Awards, held earlier this year on March 20, 2026.
Going beyond traditional formats, the thoughtfully curated book blends evocative poetry with long-form narrative writing to document and immortalise strong grassroots social impact. It is authored by Dr. Rajani Tewari (HR & ESG Leader), researched by Dr. Anupama Vaidya (Founder & Chief Transformation Architect, Los Aurigas), and conceptualised by Jyoti Rai (Founder, DesiDhaakad.com & Etherwire.ai).
A Gathering of Visionaries
The unveiling took place in the esteemed presence of distinguished dignitaries and social impact leaders, including:
- Shri Vineet Shastri and Shri Koshal Kumar (NSE Social Stock Exchange)
- Dr. Sujata Jadhav (Head – Libraries & Documentation Centre, NCPA)
- Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee (Father of Indian CSR and Sustainability)
- Mrs. Roma Balwani (Mentor- DesiDhaakad Social Impact, Co-Founder, RB Foundation)
- Dr. Mukund Rajan (Chairperson, ECube Investment Advisors Private Limited)
- Shri Soumya Kant Padhi (MD & Co-Founder, Indorient Financial Services)
- Nirmala Venkatesan (Spark-A-Change Foundation), DDSIA 2025–26 Awardee
- Prashant Pal (PURE India Trust), DDSIA 2025–26 Awardee
The initiative also received proud support from the “Page to Stage” initiative of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA).
Voices from the Unveiling
Speaking about what makes the book special, Dr. Rajani Tewari, HR & ESG Leader and author of the book, said:
“DesiDhaakad Chronicles was born from a simple belief—that extraordinary change often begins quietly, in the hearts of ordinary people who choose courage over comfort. This book is not a compilation of success stories; it is a living archive of hope, resilience, and purpose. Each chapter captures the spirit of individuals and organisations who have transformed challenges into opportunities for communities and the nation. My deepest gratitude goes to every awardee who trusted us with their journey. Their stories are no longer just theirs—they now belong to everyone who believes that meaningful change is possible.”
Supporting the initiative, Dr. Sujata Jadhav, Head – Libraries & Documentation Centre, NCPA, remarked:
“At the NCPA, we deeply understand the transformative journey of taking a story from the page to the stage. ‘Chronicles of Social Impact’ does exactly this for India’s grassroots changemakers. By documenting these powerful narratives, we are ensuring that the quiet, everyday resilience of these women is elevated onto a national stage. They are not just characters in a book; they are the lead actors driving the real-world performance of a Viksit Bharat.”
Reflecting on the challenges of documenting stories of social impact, Dr. Anupama Vaidya, Researcher, said:
“The lack of existing documentation made the journey challenging, but it also reminded us why this work is so important. Documentation becomes critical, and books like Chronicles of Social Impact strengthen the legacy of impact makers. Indian women’s lives are layered, contradictory, and nuanced. While digital platforms reward visibility and outrage, DesiDhaakad and this book offer something far rarer—recognition. It allows readers to pause, reflect, and see themselves, their mothers, and their daughters in these stories. The book provides a private, unhurried space where emotions are neither interrupted nor monetised.”
Pleasantly surprised to see her chapter featured in the book, Mrs. Roma Balwani, Mentor, DDSEA, said:
“Chronicles of Social Impact is not just a book; it is a movement. It tells the story of extraordinary women who refused to be defined by their circumstances and instead chose to define the future. Their journey from dependency to empowerment is a reminder that when you empower one woman, you create a legacy for generations.”
Sharing her thoughts on the book, Fatema Agarkar, Founder, Agarkar Centre of Excellence, said:
“The careful and thoughtful approach adopted by Rajani to bring alive emotions and the human spirit inspired me instantly when I read the draft. An author whose compassion lay in understanding and authentically capturing the essence of my journey was both refreshing and inspiring. Original and creative, she has truly transformed a simple narrative into a soulful read.”
Expressing her gratitude for being featured in the book, Nirmala Venkatesan, Spark-A-Change Foundation and DDSIA 2025–26 Awardee, shared:
“Chronicles of Social Impact is a collection of powerful stories of change, resilience, grit, and grace, told simply and straight from the heart. I hope these stories inspire many more women to become catalysts of change in their own communities and create meaningful impact.”
Prashant Pal, Co-Founder, PURE India Trust and DDSIA 2025–26 Awardee, said:
“This recognition is more than an award; it is a celebration of our journey and purpose. The thoughtful storytelling and visibility provided by DesiDhaakad have inspired us to dream bigger, serve better, and continue creating sustainable social impact across communities. We are truly honoured and grateful.”
Highlighting the essence of the project, Jyoti Rai, Founder of Etherwire.ai and Conceptualiser of the book, said:
“This is a book about women who do not call themselves resilient—but are. It captures the essence of the Dhaakad woman—sharp, grounded, emotionally intelligent, and quietly unshakeable. Through the DesiDhaakad platform, we aspire to document this inner world with warmth, wit, and honesty. This is only the beginning, and many more editions will follow.”
Adding his perspective, Krishn Kotian, Founder of Yana Sports, said:
“Yana Sports is incredibly proud to support ‘Chronicles of Social Impact.’ These changemakers demonstrate that when women lead with conviction, they do not just transform their communities—they lay the foundation for a truly Viksit Bharat. Their stories deserve to be celebrated, documented, and echoed across the nation.”
Chronicles of Social Impact is a celebration of individuals and institutions quietly transforming lives, communities, and the future of the nation. It captures stories of resilience, compassion, innovation, and leadership, reminding readers that the greatest legacy one can leave behind is the positive difference made in the lives of others.
The book received support from the partners of the DesiDhaakad Social Impact Awards, including the NSE Social Stock Exchange, Serum Institute of India, Aditya Birla Group, RB Foundation, and Duravit.
Etherwire.ai | DesiDhaakad.com
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