AWARDEES
Ruma Devi
Grassroots Changemaker - Icon
Ruma Devi, a grassroots artisan from Rajasthan, transformed her life through traditional embroidery. Overcoming poverty and social stigma, she empowered over 30,000 rural women via skill training and market access. As President of GVCS, she revived Rajasthani crafts, gained global recognition, and became a powerful voice for women’s empowerment.
Ruma Devi, a grassroots artisan from Rajasthan, transformed her life through traditional embroidery. Overcoming poverty and social stigma, she empowered over 30,000 rural women via skill training and market access. As President of GVCS, she revived Rajasthani crafts, gained global recognition, and became a powerful voice for women’s empowerment.
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Amla Ruia
Grassroots Changemaker - Achiever
Amla Ruia, founder of Aakar Charitable Trust, is a renowned environmentalist from Rajasthan, India. Through over 200 check dams, she has empowered 450+ villages with sustainable water access, boosting agriculture and rural livelihoods. Her grassroots work has benefited 2 million people and earned national recognition, including the Nari Shakti Puraskar.Read More
Amla Ruia, founder of Aakar Charitable Trust, is a renowned environmentalist from Rajasthan, India. Through over 200 check dams, she has empowered 450+ villages with sustainable water access, boosting agriculture and rural livelihoods. Her grassroots work has benefited 2 million people and earned national recognition, including the Nari Shakti Puraskar.Read More
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Dr. Rani Jha
Folk Heritage - Icon
Rani Jha, a renowned Madhubani artist and scholar from Bihar, blends tradition with social themes in the Kachni and Bharni styles. A PhD holder and educator, she empowers women through art, preserves Mithila heritage, and has earned national and international acclaim for her exhibitions, workshops, and cultural contributions.
Rani Jha, a renowned Madhubani artist and scholar from Bihar, blends tradition with social themes in the Kachni and Bharni styles. A PhD holder and educator, she empowers women through art, preserves Mithila heritage, and has earned national and international acclaim for her exhibitions, workshops, and cultural contributions.
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Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
Nation Builder - Icon
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, an esteemed Indian clinical scientist, has led global health initiatives through her roles at WHO and ICMR. A pediatrician and TB expert, she advanced vaccine equity during COVID-19, championed public health research, and received international honors for her impactful work in infectious diseases and child health.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, an esteemed Indian clinical scientist, has led global health initiatives through her roles at WHO and ICMR. A pediatrician and TB expert, she advanced vaccine equity during COVID-19, championed public health research, and received international honors for her impactful work in infectious diseases and child health.
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Suparna Mitra
Business Leadership - Icon
Suparna Mitra, CEO of Titan’s Watches and Wearables Division, is a dynamic leader driving innovation and growth. With a rich background in marketing and strategy, she has led Titan to record-breaking sales, global recognition, and industry accolades, while championing women in leadership and embracing tech-driven brand evolution.
Suparna Mitra, CEO of Titan’s Watches and Wearables Division, is a dynamic leader driving innovation and growth. With a rich background in marketing and strategy, she has led Titan to record-breaking sales, global recognition, and industry accolades, while championing women in leadership and embracing tech-driven brand evolution.
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Tage Rita Takhe
Business Leadership - Achiever
Tage Rita, an agricultural engineer from Arunachal Pradesh, pioneered India’s first organic kiwi wine brand, Naara Aaba. By empowering local farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture, she transformed Ziro Valley into a winemaking hub. Her innovations earned her national awards, making her a trailblazer in rural entrepreneurship and agribusiness.
Tage Rita, an agricultural engineer from Arunachal Pradesh, pioneered India’s first organic kiwi wine brand, Naara Aaba. By empowering local farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture, she transformed Ziro Valley into a winemaking hub. Her innovations earned her national awards, making her a trailblazer in rural entrepreneurship and agribusiness.
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Sheetal Devi
Sports Excellence - Achiever
Born without arms, Sheetal Devi became India’s first Paralympic medalist in para-archery. Competing with her feet, she won gold at the 2023 World Championships and bronze at the 2024 Paralympics. Her journey from rural Jammu to global recognition is a testament to resilience, innovation, and determination against all odds.
Born without arms, Sheetal Devi became India’s first Paralympic medalist in para-archery. Competing with her feet, she won gold at the 2023 World Championships and bronze at the 2024 Paralympics. Her journey from rural Jammu to global recognition is a testament to resilience, innovation, and determination against all odds.
Manjari Jaruhar
Fearless Warrior - Icon
Manjari Jaruhar, Bihar’s first woman IPS officer, broke gender barriers in Indian policing. With over three decades of service, she led in law enforcement and industrial security. Post-retirement, she mentors, advises, and champions women in security. Her memoir Madam Sir chronicles her inspiring journey of courage and leadership.Read More
Manjari Jaruhar, Bihar’s first woman IPS officer, broke gender barriers in Indian policing. With over three decades of service, she led in law enforcement and industrial security. Post-retirement, she mentors, advises, and champions women in security. Her memoir Madam Sir chronicles her inspiring journey of courage and leadership.Read More
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Aditi Gupta
Homepreneurship - Achiever
Aditi Gupta, co-founder of Menstrupedia, uses comics and workshops to break menstrual taboos across India and beyond. With a design background and personal drive, she educates millions, empowering girls through culturally sensitive resources. Her work promotes menstrual equity, fosters open dialogue, and challenges deep-rooted societal stigmas around menstruation.
Aditi Gupta, co-founder of Menstrupedia, uses comics and workshops to break menstrual taboos across India and beyond. With a design background and personal drive, she educates millions, empowering girls through culturally sensitive resources. Her work promotes menstrual equity, fosters open dialogue, and challenges deep-rooted societal stigmas around menstruation.
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Viji Venkatesh
New Beginnings - Icon
At 71, Viji Venkatesh leads cancer care across South Asia through The Max Foundation, impacting thousands with access to treatment. An advocate, actor, and founder of Chai for Cancer, she proves age is no barrier to change—combining compassion, creativity, and courage to transform lives and narratives around illness.
At 71, Viji Venkatesh leads cancer care across South Asia through The Max Foundation, impacting thousands with access to treatment. An advocate, actor, and founder of Chai for Cancer, she proves age is no barrier to change—combining compassion, creativity, and courage to transform lives and narratives around illness.
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Dr. Menaka Guruswamy
Social Impact - Changemaker
Menaka Guruswamy, Senior Advocate at India’s Supreme Court, is a global legal trailblazer. She led the fight to strike down Section 377, championed education rights, and opposed state violence. With academic honors and landmark cases, her work advances justice, human dignity, and constitutional values across India and the world.
Menaka Guruswamy, Senior Advocate at India’s Supreme Court, is a global legal trailblazer. She led the fight to strike down Section 377, championed education rights, and opposed state violence. With academic honors and landmark cases, her work advances justice, human dignity, and constitutional values across India and the world.
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Arundhati Katju
Social Impact - Changemaker
Arundhati Katju, a Supreme Court advocate, played a key role in decriminalizing homosexuality in India. A fierce human rights defender, she champions LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and justice through groundbreaking legal cases. Her advocacy reshapes India’s legal landscape and empowers marginalized communities through bold, compassionate, and constitutional reform.
Arundhati Katju, a Supreme Court advocate, played a key role in decriminalizing homosexuality in India. A fierce human rights defender, she champions LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and justice through groundbreaking legal cases. Her advocacy reshapes India’s legal landscape and empowers marginalized communities through bold, compassionate, and constitutional reform.
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Kiruba Munusamy
Social Impact - Achiever
Kiruba Munusamy is a Supreme Court lawyer and Ambedkarite activist fighting caste and gender-based injustice. Coming from a Dalit background, she founded the Legal Initiative for Equality to support marginalized communities. Her advocacy challenges systemic discrimination and embodies the pursuit of justice, equality, and empowerment for the oppressed.Read More
Kiruba Munusamy is a Supreme Court lawyer and Ambedkarite activist fighting caste and gender-based injustice. Coming from a Dalit background, she founded the Legal Initiative for Equality to support marginalized communities. Her advocacy challenges systemic discrimination and embodies the pursuit of justice, equality, and empowerment for the oppressed.Read More
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Dr. Bushra Ateeq
Excellence in STEM
Dr. Bushra Ateeq is a renowned cancer biologist and professor at IIT Kanpur, recognized for her pioneering research in prostate cancer. A recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, her work bridges lab research and clinical solutions, advancing cancer diagnosis and therapy while inspiring excellence in biomedical science.Read More
Dr. Bushra Ateeq is a renowned cancer biologist and professor at IIT Kanpur, recognized for her pioneering research in prostate cancer. A recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, her work bridges lab research and clinical solutions, advancing cancer diagnosis and therapy while inspiring excellence in biomedical science.Read More
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Ramkripa Ananthan
Changemaker - Automotive Industry
Ramkripa Ananthan is a pioneering Indian automotive designer known for leading Mahindra’s modern design revolution. As Head of Design, she shaped iconic models like the XUV500, Thar, and Scorpio-N. Breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, she championed innovation, global appeal, and inspired a new era in Indian vehicle aesthetics.
Ramkripa Ananthan is a pioneering Indian automotive designer known for leading Mahindra’s modern design revolution. As Head of Design, she shaped iconic models like the XUV500, Thar, and Scorpio-N. Breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, she championed innovation, global appeal, and inspired a new era in Indian vehicle aesthetics.
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Tillotama Shome
Empowerment through Entertainment - Onscreen
Tillotama Shome is an acclaimed Indian actress known for powerful, nuanced roles in independent films like Sir, Qissa, and Death in the Gunj. A Tisch-trained performer, she breaks cinematic stereotypes with grace and authenticity, representing layered female narratives and redefining excellence in Indian art-house and mainstream cinema.
Tillotama Shome is an acclaimed Indian actress known for powerful, nuanced roles in independent films like Sir, Qissa, and Death in the Gunj. A Tisch-trained performer, she breaks cinematic stereotypes with grace and authenticity, representing layered female narratives and redefining excellence in Indian art-house and mainstream cinema.
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Konkana Sen
Empowerment through Entertainment - Offscreen
Konkona Sen Sharma is a celebrated actress and filmmaker acclaimed for roles in Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, Lipstick Under My Burkha, and her directorial debut A Death in the Gunj. Blending parallel and mainstream cinema, she champions meaningful storytelling, women’s voices, and creative depth in Indian and global film.
Konkona Sen Sharma is a celebrated actress and filmmaker acclaimed for roles in Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, Lipstick Under My Burkha, and her directorial debut A Death in the Gunj. Blending parallel and mainstream cinema, she champions meaningful storytelling, women’s voices, and creative depth in Indian and global film.
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Shabana Azmi
Entertainment - Timeless Icon
Shabana Azmi is a legendary actress and activist with five National Film Awards. Known for bold roles in parallel cinema and international films, she blends art and activism. A Padma Bhushan awardee, she champions gender equality, religious harmony, and rural development, leaving an indelible mark on cinema and social justice.
Shabana Azmi is a legendary actress and activist with five National Film Awards. Known for bold roles in parallel cinema and international films, she blends art and activism. A Padma Bhushan awardee, she champions gender equality, religious harmony, and rural development, leaving an indelible mark on cinema and social justice.
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Dr. Tanaya Narendra
Content Creator - Health
Dr. Tanaya Narendra, aka Dr. Cuterus, is an Oxford-trained sexual health educator transforming taboo topics into engaging science. With a bestselling book and massive online following, she simplifies complex issues like reproductive health and HPV awareness, championing inclusive sex education and empowering people with medically accurate, accessible information.
Dr. Tanaya Narendra, aka Dr. Cuterus, is an Oxford-trained sexual health educator transforming taboo topics into engaging science. With a bestselling book and massive online following, she simplifies complex issues like reproductive health and HPV awareness, championing inclusive sex education and empowering people with medically accurate, accessible information.
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Shruti Seth
Content Creator - Parenting
Shruti Seth is an actress-turned-parenting content creator reshaping modern motherhood narratives in India. Known for her roles in Shararat and Fanaa, she now advocates mental wellness, realistic parenting, and gender balance. Through digital platforms and public forums, she empowers parents with honest conversations and a supportive, community-driven approach.
Shruti Seth is an actress-turned-parenting content creator reshaping modern motherhood narratives in India. Known for her roles in Shararat and Fanaa, she now advocates mental wellness, realistic parenting, and gender balance. Through digital platforms and public forums, she empowers parents with honest conversations and a supportive, community-driven approach.
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Leeza Mangaldas
Content Creator - Empowerment
Leeza Mangaldas is a sexuality educator and digital creator revolutionizing conversations on sexual health in India. A Columbia alumna, she creates non-judgmental, informative content across platforms and authored The Sex Book. Celebrated by GQ and Rolling Stone, she promotes body positivity, consent, and inclusive education through media and literature.
Leeza Mangaldas is a sexuality educator and digital creator revolutionizing conversations on sexual health in India. A Columbia alumna, she creates non-judgmental, informative content across platforms and authored The Sex Book. Celebrated by GQ and Rolling Stone, she promotes body positivity, consent, and inclusive education through media and literature.
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KK Shailaja
Timeless Icon
K.K. Shailaja, Kerala’s former Health Minister, earned global acclaim for leading public health responses to the Nipah outbreak and COVID-19. Known as “Shailaja Teacher,” she championed transparency, evidence-based governance, and women's empowerment. Her crisis leadership and commitment to public welfare reshaped Kerala’s healthcare landscape and inspired global admiration.
K.K. Shailaja, Kerala’s former Health Minister, earned global acclaim for leading public health responses to the Nipah outbreak and COVID-19. Known as “Shailaja Teacher,” she championed transparency, evidence-based governance, and women's empowerment. Her crisis leadership and commitment to public welfare reshaped Kerala’s healthcare landscape and inspired global admiration.
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