Bangalore : The Taco Bell Foundation, in collaboration with the global social entrepreneurship organization Ashoka, announced the top changemaker at the inaugural Ambition Accelerator Summit in India. Daljeet Kaur, a 20-year-old from Chhattisgarh, was awarded a grant of Rs 10 Lakhs for her innovative social initiative, Pragati, which focuses on improving educational opportunities to reduce school dropout rates. This recognition came after a competitive pitch event held in Bangalore.
“I am deeply honored to receive this grant and grateful for the opportunity,” said Daljeet Kaur, the grand prize recipient of Ambition Accelerator India. “The Ambition Accelerator experience has been transformative, equipping me with the tools, support, and inspiration to realize my vision. I look forward to expanding Pragati to reach more people and enhance its impact on the community.”
The Taco Bell Foundation’s Ambition Accelerator Summit brought together 25 exceptional changemakers aged 16-26 from across India, selected from over 192 applications. Participants engaged in immersive workshops focused on storytelling, community building, and networking. The final pitch competition featured five finalists presenting their projects to a panel of distinguished judges, including Samir Kumar Dalai (Senior Vice President, Operations Management, Taco Bell – Burman Hospitality), Saurabh Upadhyay (Head of Training, Taco Bell – Yum! Restaurants), Akash Singh (Ashoka Young Changemaker), Aditi Gera (Ashoka Young Changemaker), and Ajit Singh (Ashoka Fellow).
Harneet Rajpal, CEO of Burman Hospitality and Franchise Owner of Taco Bell India, stated, “We believe in empowering Indian youth to be a driving force for positive change. From startups to community-driven innovations, these changemakers are embracing an entrepreneurial mindset, leading meaningful change in the country. The innovations showcased at the Ambition Accelerator Summit reinforce our belief that India is on the path to becoming a developed nation by 2047. With Taco Bell’s expanding presence and the enthusiastic response to the Ambition Accelerator, we’re excited to contribute to India’s holistic development.”
The Ambition Accelerator Summit highlighted groundbreaking ideas from across India. The finalists’ projects included:
- Muktaa Free Mental Health Hotline by Dhriti Agarwal, Maharashtra: A service providing free mental health counseling and awareness in rural areas.
- Polyfueler by Vineet Kumar, Bihar: A project focused on converting plastic waste into eco-friendly fuel.
- Project Ikshana by Nandini Agarwal, Maharashtra: An initiative offering affordable eye care with an emphasis on cataract treatment.
- Project Tejas by Megnath B Trivedi, Telangana: An enterprise producing briquettes from agricultural waste for clean cooking fuel.
Alongside the winner, the four finalists each received an additional Rs 2 Lakhs to further their projects.
“The Taco Bell Foundation’s Ambition Accelerator is more than just a platform; it’s a community empowering young leaders to turn their bold ideas into real-world impact,” said Shruti Nair, Regional Leader of Ashoka South Asia. “With the largest youth population in the world, India is a strategic hub for fostering change and innovation. Launching this initiative in India for the first time recognizes the young talent eager to drive societal change. We are proud to partner with the Taco Bell Foundation to support these changemakers as they pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for India.”
Funded by Yum! Brands’ $100 million Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, the Ambition Accelerator is dedicated to fostering a more equitable and inclusive society. The success of the inaugural India Summit by the Taco Bell Foundation and Ashoka showcases the innovative spirit and ideas emerging from India’s youth. For more details on the winning projects, visit the Ambition Accelerator website.
