Mr. Ashwin Pawade has been awarded the R. Hanumantha Rao Award 2025 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to social innovation and sustainable rural development.

A Co-founder of S4S Technologies (Science for Society), Ashwin has been instrumental in developing decentralized, solar-powered food processing solutions that address post-harvest losses while improving rural livelihoods. His work has empowered women entrepreneurs, strengthened climate-resilient food systems, and enhanced farmer incomes across India.

S4S Technologies has received several international accolades, including the Earthshot Prize (2023), the Zayed Sustainability Prize (2022), and the Ashden Award (2021) for its pioneering work in sustainable food systems.

Ashwin currently leads S4S's expansion initiatives in Africa, working to replicate and localize its successful model across West Africa through strategic partnerships and ecosystem development.

The R. Hanumantha Rao Award recognizes his significant contributions to CTARA and the broader social sector, reflecting the impact of technology-driven, inclusive, and sustainable development initiatives.