The Amara Raja Group, a US $2 billion diversified conglomerates one of India’s most respected business houses with a presence across diverse sectors such as automotive batteries, new energy, infrastructure, and electronics, continues to uphold its legacy of inclusive growth and innovation. Guided by its purpose — “Providing better access to better opportunities to more and more people” — the Group’s deep-rooted commitment to corporate social responsibility remains a cornerstone of its business philosophy.
In line with this vision, the Amara Raja Better Way Awards 2025 returns for its third edition, honouring rural entrepreneurs and innovators who are creating meaningful change in their communities. Designed to recognize innovation in grassroots enterprise, this initiative represents Amara Raja’s dedication to empowering India’s emerging rural economy.
By identifying and nurturing rural innovators, the awards aim to forge a pipeline of impact-driven entrepreneurship, connecting remote villages to national growth engines.
“Over 85 per cent of India’s rural entrepreneurs are first-generation founders. Recognising them is more than an honour; it’s an investment in India’s inclusive growth narrative,” remarked an Amara Raja Foundation advisor.
Fostering Grassroots Innovation
Today, India’s rural entrepreneurs form a vital force behind the nation’s inclusive development. Yet, more than 85% of them are first-generation entrepreneurs who battle against limited access to finance, technology, and formal training. Through the Better Way Awards, Amara Raja aims to bridge this gap, recognising and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit that drives rural transformation.
The Awards celebrate rural enterprises that demonstrate innovation, social impact, and sustainable employment creation. They aim to identify local heroes who turn challenges into opportunities, strengthening communities, generating livelihoods, and inspiring others to pursue collective progress.
Award Categories
The Better Way Awards 2025 include three prestigious categories, each aligned with the Group’s broader social and development priorities:
- Amara Raja Better Way Award for Women Employment – Celebrating women-led enterprises that create job opportunities while advancing gender equity and inclusion.
- Amara Raja Better Way Award for Rural Income Generation – Honouring ventures that contribute to rural economic growth, supporting self-reliance and income diversification.
- Amara Raja Better Way Award for Best Agri-Based Business – Recognizing agricultural innovators using sustainable practices to transform traditional farming into thriving rural enterprises.
Each category carries a cash prize of ₹3 lakh, alongside recognition, visibility, and access to developmental opportunities within the Group’s and partners’ networks.
Beyond Recognition: Enabling Continued Success
The Better Way Awards go beyond appreciation — they serve as a launchpad for rural enterprises with the potential to scale and sustain. The winners benefit from continuous guidance and exposure through initiatives under the Rajanna Foundation, the CSR arm of the Amara Raja Group.
The Foundation drives impactful projects in education, skills development, women empowerment, nutrition, health, natural resource management, and village advancement, ensuring that the Group’s social investments align with tangible community transformation.
By connecting innovators with resources, mentorship, and investor-ready avenues, the Awards help rural entrepreneurs transition from local changemakers to national growth enablers.
Evaluation and Call for Applications
Entries will be assessed by a distinguished jury of experts from the fields of social innovation, entrepreneurship, and rural development. The evaluation will focus on measurable social impact, employment generation, innovation potential, and sustainability model.
Applications are open until November 20, 2025, and can be submitted online at https://www.amararaja.com/better-way-awards/.
Shortlisted candidates will gain national recognition, the opportunity to showcase their enterprise achievements, and access to a support ecosystem dedicated to long-term empowerment.
Collaboration with Small Enterprise India
The Better Way Awards 2025 proudly acknowledge Small Enterprise India as the Validation and Outreach Partner for the second consecutive year. This collaboration reinforces the shared mission of both organizations — to celebrate and accelerate India’s rural entrepreneurship ecosystem through opportunity, awareness, and mentorship.
Small Enterprise India, as a leading platform for enterprise growth narratives, continues to bridge the communication between rural innovation and national entrepreneurship ecosystems, ensuring deserving voices are heard, supported, and celebrated.
Honouring Inspiring Changemakers from the 2024 Edition Driving Rural Innovation and Impact
Last year’s Amara Raja Better Way Awards 2024 celebrated exceptional trailblazers who exemplified the spirit of rural innovation and community transformation. Farm2Fam India Pvt. Ltd. from Pune, Maharashtra received the Women Employment Award for empowering rural women through innovative, locally driven agri-ventures. The Rural Income Generation Award went to Thanima Products and Marketing from Wayanad, Kerala for its sustainable business model that directly uplifts farmers and producers across southern India. Meanwhile, Siyanjali Retails Pvt. Ltd. from Himachal Pradesh clinched the Best Agri-Based Business Award for its pioneering work in reviving millet cultivation and supporting local farming communities.
Apply Now and Create the Better Way
If you are a rural entrepreneur, agri-innovator, or women-led business owner, this is your moment to step forward. The Amara Raja Better Way Awards 2025 offer a national platform to amplify your impact, connect with mentors, and secure recognition for your innovative journey.
Apply now at: https://www.amararaja.com/better-way-awards/ . Nomination Last Date: 20 November 2025
By celebrating those who dare to think differently and build resilient enterprises for their communities, Amara Raja continues to champion a truly inclusive model of growth — finding “A Better Way for a Better Tomorrow.”