NEW DELHI: At the 55^th SKOCH Summit organized in Delhi, Baroness Sandip Verma, a member of House of Lords in the United Kingdom received the SKOCH Challenger Award for Empowerment. The award was conferred by Sameer Kochhar, Chairman of SKOCH Group for her exemplary contributions in promoting women rights globally and being an ambassador of brand India to the world.

As a member of House of Lords in the United Kingdom, she has held a dignified stance on many issues. Recently appointed as the new Chair for UN Women National Committee UK, Baroness Verma has been praised for her extensive experience in promoting women’s rights and her passion to achieve equality for women in an unequal world.

She has also been a Ministerial Champion for tackling Violence Against Women & Girls Overseas, a role that she has held since May 2015 during which she worked a lot for women’s rights and against abuse that has made her a strong champion for women’s rights on the global stage.

Receiving the Golden Jubilee SKOCH Challenger Award for Empowerment, Baroness Sandip Verma said “It is humbling to be recognized and honored by SKOCH Group and to receive the Award in the company of such distinguished gathering.”

Speaking about the award, Sameer Kochhar, Chairman of SKOCH Group and an eminent reforms historian said, “Poise, power and accountability are the virtues which characterize Baroness Sandip Verma. It’s hard to find a role model better than her when it comes to benevolence in women empowerment. She truly is an ambassador of Soft Power India and Brand India to the world.”

As a run-up to the upcoming elections in 2019, SKOCH Group, India’s topmost think-tank for socio-economic issues with a focus on inclusive growth hosted 55th SKOCH Summit – The Economic Manifesto. The summit opened up a new debate on the most direct impact of economic manifestos on the lives of the common people and how economic issues are becoming felt-needs. The Summit hosted three power panels – The Economic Manifesto, Deciphering Digital Economy Policy and Ambassadors of Soft Power India. Some of the most distinguished think tanks, industry leaders and policymakers participated as panelists in The Economic Manifesto to review economic performance till date, current macroeconomic challenges and desired economic roadmap for 2019-2024.

With eminent dignitaries on the dais, Deciphering Digital Economy Policy answered the biggest question of the times -Will the Digital Economy policy of the government end-up shooting itself in the foot or will it lead to a new renaissance and revival? The summit also celebrated the Ambassadors of Soft Power India including Kishwar Desai, Author and Columnist, Rohit Khattar, Chairman, Old World Hospitality Pvt Ltd, Ramesh Arora, Managing Director, Montcalm Luxury Hotels, Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Additional Country Director, UNDP & Former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for their contribution to brand India globally by promoting hospitality, culture, health, heritage, as well as making Indian cuisine high end and contemporary.

The event witnessed the largest gathering of eminent industry leaders, think tanks, academia, and dignitaries from state and central government organizations including N.K. Singh, Chairman, 15th Finance Commission, Dr. Bibek Debroy, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Dr. Rathin Roy, Part-time Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India & Director, NIPFP, Lord Meghnad Desai, Economist & Member House of Lords, United Kingdom, Dr. Aruna Sharma, Distinguished Fellow, SKOCH Development Foundation & Former Secretary, Government of India, Deepender Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Member, Lok Sabha, Manish Tewari, National Spokesperson, Indian National Congress & Former Union Minister, Dr. Rajat Kathuria, Director & Chief Executive, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), Mr. Gautam Kapoor, Partner, Deloitte, Naveen Surya, Chairman Emeritus, Payments Council of India to name a few.