Awardees

Recipient: Smt. Veena Upadhyay

Patna - Bihar

Chief Guest: Shri. C.P. Radhakrishnan – Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra

President: Smt. Jyoti Doshi

Veena Upadhyay is the Founder Secretary and Chief Executive of Srijani Foundation & Bun.Kar Bihar. She empowered marginalized women with literacy, financial skills, and craft-based livelihoods, founding Srijani under Sulabh International and later Bun.Kar Bihar, which now supports over 150 weaver families and 500+ artisans.

Her initiatives have revived extinct weaves like Baavanbuti, integrated handloom into school uniforms, and trained women to stitch professional attire once sourced from global brands. Showcased nationally and internationally, Veena’s work embodies creativity, empowerment, and sustainable change.

Website: https://srijanifoundation.com

Recipient: Smt. Rajiben Vankar

Bhuj, Gujarat

Chief Guest: Ms. Dia Mirza

President: Dr. Ashok Khosla

In the heart of Kutch, where tradition meets innovation, Rajiben Vankar has redefined craft and sustainability. An artisan-entrepreneur and the force behind Rajiben – Crafting a Better Planet, she transforms discarded plastic waste into stylish bags, baskets, and accessories.

Rajiben leads a women-owned enterprise in Kutch, offering over 50 eco-friendly designs while empowering local women with livelihoods. Her story is one of grit, creativity, and a steadfast commitment to building a greener planet—proving that sustainability and tradition can together weave a brighter future.

Website: https://navchetana.org.in

Recipient: Smt. Manisha Ghule

Beed, Maharashtra

Chief Guest: Smt. Falguni Nayar

President: Smt. Roma Singhania

Manisha Ghule, the Executive Director of Navchetana Sarvangin Vikas Kendra, provides invisible and marginalized rural women with dignified earning opportunities, thereby reshaping the agricultural economy and social structures in their regions.

Manisha is dedicated to establishing a sustainable employment model that positions rural women as leaders in economic progress and social equity, particularly in areas affected by climate change, migration, and joblessness. Through initiatives like Navchetana Mahila Urban Nidhi Ltd. and Navchetana Bharari Mahila Udyog Samuha, she has created avenues for women’s empowerment, microfinance, and education.

The organization has been working on the issues of health, education, livelihoods and micro finance in 300 remote villages of Kaij, Dharur and Ambejogai talukas of Beed district and Kalam taluka of Osmanabad.

Recipient: Ms. Durga Mallu Gudilu (Covid Warrior)

Mumbai

Chief Guest: Shri Shekhar Bajaj

President: Smt. Nishreen Khorakiwala

Durga Mallu Gudilu, a Trustee of Anum Foundation and Sarpanch for over 3 lakh people in the Vaidu Community stands as a dedicated social activist. Raised in a slum of Jogeshwari East, Mumbai, her early life was marked by begging and wandering for necessities.

Belonging to a backward nomadic community with low literacy rates, Ms Durga recognized education as the key to empowerment. She became the first educated member of the Vaidu Community. In 2015, Durga along with others established the “Maharashtra Vaidu Vikas Samiti” which focuses on education, nutrition, and women empowerment for the community.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Vaidu Community, Durga initiated relief efforts as a true Covid Warrior, collecting funds to provide food, essentials, and sanitary napkins, and creating ‘Mera Sapna,’ a study circle for children facing technological challenges in education.

Recipient: Smt. Ruma Devi

Barmer, Rajasthan

Chief Guest: Shri Prasoon Joshi

President: Smt. Vanita Bhandari

Ruma Devi, President of Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan (GVCS), leads a non-profit dedicated to uplifting women, Dalits, and marginalized communities. GVCS focuses on livelihood generation for women in the region.

An expert craftsman, Ruma Devi has trained over 22,000 artisans in Thar, Rajasthan, bringing international fashion designers directly to rural women artisans. She encourages women to embrace their craft, advocates for their rights, and addresses social issues like child marriages and domestic violence.

Her innovative business model has gained national and international acclaim, with GVCS participating in fashion shows and exhibitions. In patriarchal Barmer, Ruma Devi’s initiative breaks cultural norms, making Ruma Devi a symbol of women’s empowerment, and inspiring others to stand up for gender equality.

Contact details of recipient:
Mobile: +91 9950728117
Email: gvcsbarmer@gmail.com

Website: www.rumadevi.com

Recipient: Smt. Pavithra Y. Sundareshan

Bangalore

Chief Guest: Shri Milind Soman

President: Smt. Mohana Nair

Pavithra Y. Sundareshan, is the Founder and Managing Director of Vindhya e-infomedia, a BPO organization in Bangalore since 2006. Dedicated to inclusivity, her organization focuses on employing people from diverse backgrounds, including rural areas, people with disabilities, and socially disadvantaged women.

Pavithra has grown the company from 5 to nearly 1600 employees, with over 62% being People with Disabilities (PWD) and 58% women. Committed to women’s entrepreneurship, she provides opportunities to women with disabilities, widows, and divorcees, promoting self-reliance and empowerment.

Pavithra actively creates awareness in tier 2 and 3 cities, conducting job fairs and recruiting from remote villages. Her organization, recognized in the BPO industry, emphasizes high-quality solutions with a PWD-majority workforce.

Website: www.vindhyainfo.com

Recipient: Smt. Shamshad Begum

Gunderdehi, Chhattisgarh

Chief Guest: Ms. Vinita Bali

President: Smt. Nayantara Jain

Smt. Shamshad Begum is the Founder President of Sahyogi Janakalyan Samiti, Gunderdehi. A pioneer for rural women in Chhattisgarh, empowered more than 12000 women with literacy in six months through the government’s National Literacy Mission. Beyond literacy, she fought against illegal land encroachments, closed liquor shops, and established 1041 self-help groups in Balod.

Her collaboration with NABARD focused on training women, facilitating banking linkages, and empowering farmers and female labourers. In 2006, she founded the Mahila Commandos brigade, uniting nearly 100 women against domestic violence.

Honoured with the Padma Shri in 2012, her inspiring journey exemplifies a rural woman’s resilience, making a lasting impact on society.

Website: www.padmashrishamshadbegum.com

Recipient: Smt. Pabiben Rabari

Kutch, Gujarat

Chief Guest: Shri Aditya Puri

Guest of Honour: Smt. Tara Sharma Saluja

President: Smt. Radhika Nath

Pabiben Rabari’s ongoing mission focuses on developing a strong, viable business model that maximizes creativity, self-respect, and self- sufficiency for women artisans. Belonging to Kutch, she found her passion in the famed embroidery of her community. Joining the Rabari women’s group in 1998, she quickly became known as the master artisan.

She introduced vibrant combinations of trims and ribbons, known as “Pabi Jari,” creating the popular “Pabi Bag,” showcased in Hollywood and Bollywood films and embraced worldwide. Pabiben initiated a women’s artisan enterprise, Pabiben.com, starting in Bhadroi village, Anjar Taluka, providing employment opportunities for young and old artisans.

Her enterprise promotes the Gandhian approach to rural development, preserving indigenous knowledge and empowering women to shape their future.

Website: www.pabiben.com

Recipient: Smt. Kana Mondal

24 Paraganas, West Bengal

Chief Guest: Smt. Anita Dongre

President: Smt. Shalini Piramal

Kana Mondal is committed to empowering rural women in North 24 Parganas, making them self-employed with minimal investment. Faced with adversity as a young student, she underwent a 6-month training course in stitching and embroidery, sponsored by BDO’s office. Smt. Kana secured a small loan, establishing ‘Fatima Kantha Stitch Centre’ and engaged women from nearby villages.

She expanded her business and participated in trade fairs, showcasing her products. Later, she included Jute Diversified Products (JDPs) in her training courses and in 2012, her brainchild ‘Hasta Udyag’ was registered, evolving into a Vocational Training Provider for JDP training, tailoring, and hand embroidery.

Kana collaborated with technical institutions for technology access and has trained many women, to establish their micro-enterprises in JDPs.

Website: www.hastaudyog.com

Recipient: Smt. Krishna Bisht

Uttarakhand

Chief Guest: Smt. Priya Dutt

President: Smt. Arti Sanghi

Smt. Krishna Bisht recognized the untapped knitting skills of local women by finding “Mahila Haat” in Almora. Focused on empowering marginalized women artisans, it provides skill development training, marketing support, raw materials, and fosters solidarity through 45 Self Help Groups (SHGs).

The organization addresses issues faced by poor women, offering advanced training in modern knitting at low costs. Mahila Haat actively supports education in the region. Smt. Krishna Bisht not only persuaded parents to enrol their children in primary education but also championed education for women and adolescent girls. To bolster this initiative, a library named “Shiksha Sansadhan Kendra” was established in Almora.

Smt. Bisht’s dedication extends beyond her region, as she has organized women artisans in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, and Uttaranchal, addressing challenges to empower women from diverse backgrounds.

Website: www.mahilahaat.org

Recipient: Smt. Thinlas Chorol

Ladakh

Chief Guest: Smt. Rohini Nilekani

President: Smt. Leena Vaidya

Smt. Thinlas Chorol, of Takmachik, Ladakh, is the visionary founder of Ladakhi Women’s Travel Company (2009), the first women-operated travel agency dedicated to empowering women and promoting eco-tourism in Ladakh.

Providing free training to employees, Thinlas is committed to increasing women’s participation in Ladakhi tourism, fostering empowerment, and generating financial benefits for both rural and urban Ladakhi women. Her innovative approach includes promoting homestays to make local women financially independent and expose them to diverse cultures, mitigating the negative impacts of camping.

Thinlas is one of Ladakh’s first female guides, and funds LWTC entirely with her trekking earnings.

Website: www.ladakhiwomenstravel.com

Recipient: Smt. Josephine Selvaraj

Vadipatti, Tamil Nadu

Chief Guest: Shri Gerson da Cunha

Guest of Honour: Ms. Nandita Das

President: Ms. Darshana M. Doshi

Smt. Josephine Selvaraj, is the visionary Founder of Vibis Natural Bee Farm in Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai. Her leadership has transformed her native village and empowered rural women.

A major order from the National Honey Mission in 2007, led to the establishment of honeybee farms for 300 women. She has offered free training services to around 20,000 people. Under Ms. Selvaraj’s guidance, the community has elevated local lifestyles.

Recognized as the “Florence Nightingale” of Vadipatti Taluk, she has established beehives in colleges and introduced beekeeping at Aravind Hospital to enhance the immune systems of poor cancer patients. With 24 honey-based products and 89 honey varieties, Ms. Josephine Selvaraj, the dedicated beekeeper, stands as an angel enriching lives with the touch of honey.

Website: www.vibishoneybee.com

Recipient: Smt. Rashmi Bharti

Kumaon, Uttarakhand

Chief Guest: Smt. Rajni Bakshi

Guest of Honour: Shri Makarand Deshpande

President: Smt. Bhavna Doshi

Smt. Rashmi Bharti, Founder, and Chairperson of Kumaon Earthcraft Self Reliant Cooperative (KEC) Ltd, has dedicated 20 years to rural development in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.

As the Founding Secretary of AVANI, an NGO established in 1997, she initiated KEC in 2005, focusing on creating livelihood opportunities and preserving traditional crafts in the central Himalayan region. AVANI operates in 101 villages, impacting over 20,000 people.

KEC produces naturally dyed silk and wool textiles, providing livelihoods to 1100+ families. Earthcraft’s eco-friendly products have earned the UNESCO Seal of Excellence, reflecting their quality, beauty, and environmental sustainability.

Website: www.avani-earthcraft.com

Recipient: Smt. Anita Paul

Ranikhet, Uttarakhand

Chief Guest: Smt. Zia Mody

President: Dr. Smita Dandekar

Smt. Anita Paul, Director of the Pan Himalayan Grassroots Development Foundation, is a driving force behind Umang, improving the lives of women producers in remote mountain communities.

Umang fosters micro-enterprises, focusing on ecology, equity, and economics. Smt. Paul’s initiatives led to Mahila Umang Producers Company Ltd., engaging over 1300 women in producing various goods under the brand names HimKhadya and Kumaoni, gaining recognition in corporate stores like Fab India.

The women producers are engaged in the production and marketing of roof tiles, hand-knitted woollens, fruit preserves, natural honey, and spices. The impact of Smt. Anita’s work is evident in the rural economy’s progression, healthcare, education, and community development.

Website: www.umang-himalaya.com

Recipient: Late Smt. Pushpa Chopra

Patna, Bihar

Chief Guest: H.E. Smt. Prabha Rau P

President: Smt. Sheila Kripalani

Smt. Pushpa Chopra founded the Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh in Patna. Established in 1996 under her guidance, the Sangh serves as an apex body for women entrepreneurs in Bihar, promoting self-employment and economic independence.

Smt. Chopra’s focus on conserving and promoting traditional arts and crafts empowered over 25,000 rural women through training sessions, creating opportunities in handicrafts, garments, edible products, and more.

Smt. Pushpa made history as the first woman to join the Bihar Chamber of Commerce.

Website: www.biharmahilaudyogsangh.com

Recipient: Smt. Mallamma Yalawar

Bijapur, Karnataka

Chief Guest: Smt. Jaya Jaitly

President: Smt. Surbhi Tanna

Smt. Mallamma Yalawar, Founder of SABALA, has been dedicated to uplifting rural communities in Sindagi, Bijapur, and Bagewadi taluka, Karnataka, since 1986. SABALA, under her leadership, focuses on empowering women and marginalized communities through economic, social, political, and educational development. The organization’s activities include revitalizing the Lambani community, promoting traditional handicrafts, setting up self-help groups, establishing Mahila co-operative banks, providing education, implementing housing development schemes, and offering vocational training.

Smt. Yalawar’s serves on government committees and is a core board member of the Fair Trade Forum, India, adhering to fair trade principles.

Website: www.sabalaindia.org

Recipient: Smt. Shaila Arwind Amrute

Dapoli, Maharashtra

Chief Guest: Dr. Vandana Shiva

President: Smt. Minal Bajaj

Smt. Shaila transformed Dapoli, Ratnagiri, into a nursery village. Migrating from city life, she introduced organic cultivation, innovative plant propagation, and food processing. Enrolling in agricultural courses, she enhanced her skills and addressed women’s hardships through Utkarsha Mahila Mandal.

Focusing on natural resource utilization and waste management, she empowered villagers in entrepreneurial activities. Over the decades, her dedicated work improved the standard of living for 5000 women in Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Thane districts.

Smt. Amrute’s focus has been on optimizing natural resources and implementing waste management, including constructing affordable poly-houses, employing cost-effective irrigation methods, and innovating solid biomass decomposition. Smt. Amrute’s holistic approach fosters self-realization, inner strength, and progress in rural communities.

Website: www.nisargasahavas.com

Recipient: Smt. Hirbaiben Lobi

Jambur, Gujarat

Chief Guest: Smt. Jaya Bachchan

President: Smt. Munira Chudasama

Hirbaiben, a Siddi woman from Jambur, Gujarat, emerged as an unofficial sarpanch as she advanced the social and economic well-being of rural women, particularly from the Siddi community. She motivated the Adivasi community, and promoted women’s groups addressing education, health, savings, credit, and various income-generating activities like organic fertilizer manufacturing and animal husbandry.

Hirbaiben established a day-care centre and school, providing basic education to the children of Jambur. Her advocacy extended to discussions with government departments, earning her awards and international recognition, including the Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life by the Women’s World Summit Foundation in 2002.

Hirbaiben accepted the Padma Shri for social work from President Droupadi Murmu in 2023.

Recipient: Smt. Chetna Gala Sinha

Satara, Maharashtra

Chief Guest: Dr. Indu Shahani

President: Dr. Meenal Kapadia

Ms. Chetna Sinha, a champion of rural women’s empowerment, founded India’s first rural financial institution, Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank Ltd., in Maharashtra’s Satara district in 1997. This women-run bank, licensed by the Reserve Bank of India, pioneers micro-entrepreneurship in drought-prone areas, providing tools for financial independence.

Beyond financial assistance, the bank invests in rural infrastructure, skill development, and women’s property rights. The Mann Deshi umbrella includes Mann Vikas Samajik Sanstha and Mann Deshi Mahila Bachat Gat Federation, supporting education, vocational training, and empowering over 300 self-help groups of rural women, since 2004. Ms. Sinha’s work, recognized internationally, garners support from various organizations and financial institutes.

In 2008, Ms. Sinha was awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest civilian award for women who work in the area of women’s empowerment.

Website: https://manndeshifoundation.org

Recipient: Smt. Vijaymala B. Desai

Kolhapur, Maharashtra

Chief Guest: Ms. Anu Aga

President: Smt. Bhavna Doshi

Smt. Vijaymala Desai, is Founder and Chairperson of Indira Gandhi Bhartiya Mahila Vikas Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., Kolhapur—the first-ever sugar factory managed and owned by women.

Smt. Desai’s vision fosters a rural Society based on Agro industry. With approximately 3500 active shareholders, the co-operative empowers women in trade, commerce, and industry, showcasing their skills for self-sufficiency.

Smt. Desai envisions an expansive future for the co-operative factory, including lift irrigation and drip irrigation schemes, cultural and educational development programs, primary and high schools, Ayurvedic Medical Research Centre, a well-equipped hospital, co-operative kamgar society, co-operative bank, and a co-operative manufactory of forestry goods exclusively organized and owned by women for empowerment and children’s welfare.

Recipient: Sister Wandana Dabhi

Gujarat

Chief Guest: Shri Shyam Benegal

President: Smt. Amita Haribhakti

Sister Wandana Dabhi’s altruistic journey commenced at a tender age. As a dedicated member of “The Daughters of the Cross,” a Catholic women’s religious group, Sister Wandana has served tribal and Dalit groups across eight centres in Gujarat since 1968 to uplift tribal women and children. Her ground-breaking efforts in establishing women’s Credit Co-operatives for Adivasi women have significantly contributed to their economic and social independence.

Sister Wandana’s innovative initiatives, such as organizing Balwadis and establishing Credit Co-operatives, introduced new concepts to the region. The latter stands as the sole ‘Adivasi Women’s Co-operative’ in Narmada district and the second in all of South Gujarat.

Recipient: Late Smt. Kanta Tyagi

Nimar, Madhya Pradesh

Chief Guest: Smt. Sushma Swaraj

President: Smt. Indira Kotak

Born into an affluent family of landlords in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, Kanta Tyagi faced early widowhood.  Turning the sorrow into a catalyst for change, she dedicated her life to serving rural women and children as a social worker.

A visit to a tribal camp exposed her to the deplorable conditions they endured. In March 1953, she initiated the Kasturba Vanvasi Ashram in Niwali, a village in the Nimar district of Madhya Pradesh, focussing on providing education and a home for Vanvasi girls in the Ashram and operating a health centre dedicated to tribal women and children.

As director of the Kasturba Vanvasi Kanya Ashram, she ran a tailoring and knitting school, a condiment and papad manufacturing unit. Smt. Tyagi received the Padma Shri in 1998 for her services to the rural community.

Recipient: Smt. Kuntala Kumari Acharya

Orissa

Chief Guest: Ms. Medha Patkar

President: Smt. Rashmi Jolly

For 40 years, Smt. Kuntala Kumari Acharya championed rural development through entrepreneurship as President of Neelachal Nari Seba Samity. Her organization trained over 1,500 underprivileged women, empowering them with entrepreneurial skills, particularly in coir product and handicraft creation.

This initiative generated income and fostered self-reliance, leading to the formation of 30 self-help groups and Micro-level production units in eco-friendly practices. Additionally, the organization operates small-scale craft units, aiding destitute women in crafting beautiful applique work.

Her organisation is spread around the areas of Satyabadi Block and Puri Sadar Block, Orissa.

Recipient: Smt. Chinnapillai

Pullisery, Tamil Nadu

Chief Guest: Smt. Sumitra G. Kulkarni

President: Smt. Gauri Pohoomal

Smt. Chinnapillai, a landless agricultural labourer from Pullisery Village, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, has remarkably empowered women despite poverty. As a traditional leader, “Kottanar,” she actively organizes and collaborates with agricultural labourers, undertaking collective agricultural initiatives for mutual benefit.

Serving as a Founder Executive Committee member of ‘Kalanjiam,’ a movement with 40,000 poor women members in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Smt. Chinnapillai has played a key role in establishing Vaigai Vattara Kalanjiam in 1994 – a pioneering federation addressing the development of poor women in rural India.

Website: www.dhan.org

Recipient: Sister Mythilli

Trivandrum, Kerala

Chief Guest: Smt. Anuradha Paudwal

President: Smt. Irma Chinai

Sister Mythilli is the driving force behind DAYA and HRIDYAYA, two hi-tech small-scale units producing bio-medical devices, providing employment opportunities for women in Neyyatinkara.

From heart valves to disposable urine bags, sanitary napkins, and sterilized operation theatre wear, these ventures contribute to both economic and holistic development, shaping the future of rural women and their children.

Sister Mythilli chose a unique path, breaking away from traditional vocations for rural women, and her initiatives reflect a commitment to their socio-economic, spiritual, mental, and emotional progress.

Website: www.sistermythili.org

Recipient: Late Ms. Mina Agarwala

Tezpur, Assam

Chief Guest: Mrs. Ela Bhatt

President: Smt. Smita Trivedi

Ms. Mina Agarwala, Founder President of Tezpur District Mahila Samiti, championed the rural upliftment of women and children in Sonitpur District through projects in handloom weaving, sericulture, healthcare, and more.

Under her leadership, 120 Mahila Samiti groups thrived, fostering economic empowerment. She addressed legal concerns, resolved 78 out of 379 complaints, and organized 58 health camps, benefiting 5,500 women. Ms. Agarwala’s efforts extended to making 13 villages self-sufficient.

Guided by Ms. Mina, the Tezpur District Mahila Samiti rendered selfless services to people in distress due to floods, earthquakes, and riots.

Recipient: Late Dr. (Smt.) Ragini Prem

Govindpur, Uttar Pradesh

Chief Guest: Dr. Sarla Birla

President: Smt. Bharti Gandhi

Dr. Ragini Prem, founder of Banwasi Seva Ashram dedicated over 25 years to uplift tribal women and children in remote areas. After obtaining an M.B.B.S. in 1957 and M.D. in 1964 from Osmania University, she and her husband established the ashram in 1968.

She trained locals in health education, using both traditional remedies and modern medicine. With contributions benefiting 10,000 Adivasi women across 400 villages, Dr. Ragini Prem’s work focused on self-suficiency, promoting primary health, hygiene, and cottage industries.

Dr. Ragini Prem educated people through small booklets on family planning, and preventive health care including immunisation and literacy. Her dedication merits recognition for her impactful role in rural entrepreneurship.

Website: www.banwasisevaashram.in

Recipient: Late Smt. Saraswathi Gora

Andra Pradesh

Chief Guest: Smt. Usha Kiran

President: Smt. Nalini Bhagwati

Smt. Saraswathi Gora, a crusader for social change, dedicated her life to various Gandhian causes, including women’s empowerment, social equality, and economic upliftment. A veteran freedom fighter who went to jail, she also actively opposed untouchability and the caste system.

Founder of the Atheist Centre, she provided counselling and shelter for women facing social challenges. Smt. Saraswathi advocated economic equality and protested against Zamindaris and the Jogini System.

Her focus on creating women entrepreneurs was evident through diverse training programs, fostering skills from housing construction to nursing, carpet weaving, batik, computers, and more.

Website: www.atheistcentre.in

Recipient: Late Ms. Anuben Govindbhai Thakkar

Vadodara, Gujarat

Chief Guest: Dr. Snehalata Deshmukh

President: Ms. Aarti Kotak

Ms. Anu Govind Thakkar was the driving force behind the Muni Seva Ashram in Vadodara which focused on uplifting remote areas. Leading various initiatives for social and economic betterment, the ashram has 16 Creche Centres, schools, a cottage industry, an orphanage, Bhagini Mandir, old age homes, a dairy, a hospital, and a Village Community Centre.

Encouraging rural youth in entrepreneurship, Ms. Thakkar supported activities like smithy, carpentry, masonry, cattle breeding, and farming. The ashram stands out as a spiritual Centre with a social-economic focus engaged in innovative sustainable agricultural programs and herbal plant cultivation.

Ms. Thakkar’s impactful contributions have earned her accolades from the Government of Gujarat, Gandhian Association, and Chambers of Commerce.

Website: www.greenashram.org

Recipient: Smt. S. G. Susheelamma

Bangalore, Karnataka

Chief Guest: Dr. (Mrs.) Kiran Bedi

President: Smt. Divya Mirani

Smt. S.G. Susheelamma is the founder of Sumangali Seva Ashram, a social service organization that provides vocational training and helps establish production units, including knitting, weaving, tailoring, and various income-generating activities. The goal is to support women entrepreneurs and those seeking employment opportunities.

Approximately 2000 women have benefited from these activities since its inception. Recognizing the significance of economic independence, Smt. Susheelamma initiated programs to enhance women’s participation in productive activities. This includes providing self-employment opportunities in domestic industries, with a focus on creating local markets.

Understanding the strength in unity, Smt. Susheelamma encouraged the formation of Mahila Mandals in villages and towns, believing that women’s economic activities could flourish through collective efforts in learning about and running businesses.

Website: www.sumangalisevaashrama.org

Recipient: Late Smt. Anusuya Limaye

Maharashtra

Chief Guest: Shri Rajmohan Gandhi

President: Smt. Brinda Khatau

Anutai Limaye was a teacher, freedom fighter, entrepreneur, social worker, political activist, and rural entrepreneur for women’s organizations, industrial cooperative societies, and community development centres.

Anutai’s work uplifted impoverished rural women across Maharashtra, where she adopted a holistic approach to societal challenges. Her leadership role in the Samajwadi Mahila Sabha – an autonomous organization with 40 branches and 5000 members throughout Maharashtra – focused on empowering low-income, less-educated women.

Her commitment extended to the Shramsahakar Mahila Sangh, an industrial cooperative society empowering 350 women in manufacturing ancillary parts for Phillips India Pvt. Ltd. and Vanaz Ltd. The Sangh not only provided employment but also helped to raise the incomes of families.