Asif Ayoob
editAsif Ayoob (born June 27, 1995) is an Indian social entrepreneur, humanitarian leader, and diplomat, recognized for his leadership in global development, humanitarian causes, and diplomacy. He serves as the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of IIMSAM [1] an Intergovernmental Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)[2], where he advocates for sustainable solutions to combat malnutrition. He is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Bhailog Inc and Bhailog Connect India Pvt Limited, a pioneering startup dedicated to improving the lives of internal migrant workers in India. [3]
Early Life and Education
editAsif Ayoob was born in Kollam, Kerala, India, to Dr. S. Ayoob, an educational leader, and Libina A., a teacher.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kerala[4] and an MBA in Global Management from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, USA[5]. His education has enabled him to integrate technical expertise with a focus on social impact, particularly in global health and humanitarian efforts.
Career
editIIMSAM: Combating Global Malnutrition
editAs Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of IIMSAM, Asif has played a pivotal role in addressing global malnutrition through the promotion of Spirulina, a sustainable superfood. He spearheaded initiatives like the One Million Spirulina Campaign[6], which aimed to provide nutritional supplements to over one million malnourished children worldwide. This initiative, launched in partnership with DXN and inaugurated by Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt[7], has made significant contributions in India and Africa.
In his role, Asif has been deeply involved in diplomatic negotiations with governments and international organizations, fostering collaborations to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition. His efforts align closely with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger.
Bhailog Inc: Empowering Migrant Workers
editAs the Co-Founder and CEO of Bhailog Inc[8], Asif has redefined social entrepreneurship by focusing on the welfare of internal migrant workers. Bhailog’s mission is to ensure fair pay, improved working conditions, and a more inclusive environment for migrant laborers in India.
Key Achievements and Recognitions
edit- One Million Spirulina Campaign: Played a key role in launching and implementing this initiative to combat malnutrition globally.
- Times of India Top 10 Leaders (2022): Recognized for his leadership in humanitarian efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable communities.[9]
- State Award for Social Work (2019): Honored by the Government of Kerala for his significant role in disaster relief during the 2018 Kerala floods.
- Certificate of Appreciation (2020): Awarded by H.E. Madhav Kumar Nepal, former Prime Minister of Nepal, for contributions to youth empowerment.
- UN Blog Feature: Recognized by the UN Under Secretary-General for Youth Affairs for his exceptional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]
- Global Youth Leadership Award (2022) : Honored by Global Youth Parlaiment [11]
- UN Chronicles: The Article titled Managing Plastic Pollution: Could University Campuses Serve as Vectors of Change? [12]
Social and Youth Initiatives
editAsif has led numerous initiatives focused on social justice, youth empowerment, and rights advocacy:
- Mission Trans 5 (2018): A program promoting transgender rights in collaboration with Kerala’s Social Justice Department[13]
- Dhairiya (2019): A self-defense training initiative empowering young women in Kollam, Kerala.
- Stem Cell Registry Camps: Organized across Kerala to facilitate life-saving matches for patients suffering from blood disorders.
- Youth Mentorship: Mentored over 100 student projects, helping them align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and fostering leadership in social causes.
Diplomatic Leadership
editAsif’s diplomatic work has played a crucial role in securing international partnerships to address food insecurity and malnutrition. He has represented IIMSAM at several high-level UN conferences and global forums, advocating for the use of Spirulina as a sustainable food source.
Personal Life
editAsif resides in Kerala, India. When not leading global initiatives, he dedicates his time to mentoring youth, advocating for sustainability, and promoting inclusive societal progress.
Legacy and Vision
editAsif Ayoob is widely recognized for his unique ability to blend diplomacy, social entrepreneurship, and humanitarianism. Through his leadership, he continues to inspire transformative change in the fight against hunger, the empowerment of marginalized communities, and the promotion of sustainable development globally.
References
edit- ^ "Kerala native Asif Ayoob appointed special advisor to IIMSAM secretary general". English.Mathrubhumi. 2024-11-26. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "IIMSAM | Department of Economic and Social Affairs". sdgs.un.org. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Bhailog App". www.bhailog.app. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "University of Kerala", Wikipedia, 2024-11-19, retrieved 2024-12-03
- ^ "University of Wisconsin - Parkside". www.uwp.edu. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ VVIP (2020-09-26). "IIMSAM'S/DXN ONE MILLION KIDS ONE YEAR CAMPAIGN 2020-2021: FREE DISTRIBUTION OF SPIRULINA WORLDWIDE". VVIP. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Sanjay Dutt", Wikipedia, 2024-11-28, retrieved 2024-12-03
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2024-09-05). "Chief Minister launches application for migrant workers". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "10 Leaders Who Made Significant Contributions to Humanitarian Causes". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ Admin, Youth (2020-06-01). "Meet 10 leaders who can inspire you to change the world (7th Edition)". Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "TKM College of Engineering on LinkedIn: #civilengineering #alumnus". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ Nations, United. "Asif Ayoob". United Nations. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ Sudhish, Navamy (2018-12-05). "Sensitizing students to rights of transpersons". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-12-03.