Social enterprise concept is consolidating
At the 40th anniversary of mobile phone, one can just wonder: was it possible to think that mobile telephony would reach where it is today? Probably mobile telephony is one technology, which influenced our lives dramatically. Mobile telephony is probably the most democratic of technologies in terms of reaching people around the globe through its affordability. A mobile phone now aggregates a number of gadgets: still camera, video camera, PC with the internet, music player, video player, game console, calculator etc. this is one aspect of the revolution. Another aspect is mobile telephony brings many services on the finger tips: doing banking, buying all sorts of products, watching television, striking business deals, enforcing law and order, co-working across continent – the list is probably endless. However, the most important phenomenon is mobile is touching lives of millions of marginalized people. Offering interactive and affordable education, reaching hard to reach population with healthcare, offering government services, offering extension services to farmers, managing climatic and other disasters – all of these are now affected by mobile telephony.
In this backdrop, mBillionth Award is a noble endeavor, which tries to recognize initiatives in South Asia, which can touch a billion populations through innovations. it is very encouraging to see how the ideas and initiatives are getting matured over the years. Social enterprise concept is consolidating, where the innovative mobile phone based services are thinking to remain pro-poor at the same time financially viable. Thus, innovations are not only taking place in the domain of technology, new models of business are merging, which were un-heard of.
It was a humbling experience to become part of the Jury process. Brilliant minds came together and dedicated their time up to mid night to have thread-bearing discussions, which initiative to go for recognition. The celebration of creativity for changing lives probably is the key achievement of the mBillionth.
Dr. Ananya Raihan
Executive Director at DNet