Society Achievers Awards - 2022

ACHIEVERS

Publisher: Magnate Publishing Private Limited Editor: Andrea CostaBir Associate Editor: Nichola Marie Assistant Editor: Amber Dias

Correspondents: Tsunami Costabir, Paula Dsouza, Hannah Cardozo Graphic Designer: Syed Zaid Inamdar

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Contents

Kumar Mangalam Birla Usha Kakade

Sonu Sood

Gautam Singhania Shreegopal Kabra Hema Malini

Dr Nandita Palshetkar Neerja Birla Dr Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi Sidharth Malhotra

Savita Chhabra

Amruta Fadnavis Kishore Agarwal Rohit Shetty

Dr Ajeenkya Patil Tamannaah Bhatia

Tejas Labhshetwar Neeti Goel Kartik Aaryan Dr Saurabh Gadgil Farah Khan Adv Aashuutosh Srivastava Madhur Bhandarkar Deepak Mane Nyrika Holkar Dilip Vengsarkar Tai Nikio Rohini Iyer Adv Ayush Jindal Sadhguru Anand Narasimhan Anupam Kher

Reena Kallat Murad Khetani Subodh Agarwal Talat Aziz Meghna Pant Anees Bazmee Jagdish Babu Bhushan Kumar Ram Kamal Mukherjee Dr T Udwadia

Lata Mangeshkar

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Editor’s Note

Scintillating & Sparkling! Classy & Chic! The 20th edition of the Society Achievers Awards curated by ‘Society Achievers’ magazine was all this and a whole lot more!!

Every achiever felicitated by our remarkable Chief Guests – Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and Hon. Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis – is dashing, daring and determined. Their dare-to-do spirit helps them excel in their chosen fields, leading from the front.

Held at the prestigious Taj Santacruz 5-star hotel in Mumbai, the night was sprinkled with wisdom ‘n’ wit thanks to our brilliant, brave and beautiful awardees. Flip through and meet the winners of the Society Achievers Awards. Defining excellence in all that they do, each one is a true achiever in his/her own right.

Then pour over our events pages which showcase the substance ‘n’ style, glitz ‘n’ glam of the sharply put together and fabulously turned out awards show… A soiree like no other, it was an extremely well spent evening!

Kudos to all our Awardees and our Chief Guests for inspiring millions as they go about shaping their lives with courage and confidence; and living with grace, guts and gumption!

- Andrea CostaBir

Photograph: Viraj Shirodkar

Leader all the way!

By Hannah Cardozo

Kumar Mangalam Birla is the Chairman of one of the largest global conglomerates, the Aditya Birla Group, which operates in 36 countries across six continents. In 1995, he took over the family business and consolidated all the group companies under the brand - Aditya Birla Group (ABG). He leads by example, and in the 25+ years at the helm of the Group, he has accelerated growth and enhanced stakeholder value.

Currently, the Aditya Birla Group is leading in the major sectors in which it operates — from cement to chemicals, metals to textiles, and fashion to financial services. Under his leadership, they were recognised as among the Forbes World’s Best Employers 2020. And was also recognised as ‘The Best Employers to work for in India’.

Outside the Group, he has held several key positions on various regulatory and professional boards. He was a Director on the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India, Chairman of the Advisory Committee constituted by the Ministry of Company Affairs, and also served on the Prime Minister of India’s Advisory Council on Trade and Industry.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, leads by example as he pushes one of the world’s largest conglomerates to new heights.

Kumar Mangalam Birla

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Business

The award was accepted on his behalf by his wife Neerja Birla.

A firm practitioner of the trusteeship concept, Mr Birla has a mandate: the Group must be involved in meaningful welfare-driven activities that distinctively impact the quality of life of weaker sections of society around the world. His business acumen and exemplary contribution to leadership processes and system-building have earned him numerous accolades.

He leads by example, and in the 25+ years at the helm of the Group, he has accelerated growth and enhanced stakeholder value.

Giving Back Happily!

By Amber Dias

Usha Kakade is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, social activist and visionary leader. She is the Founder-President of Gravittus Foundation which works for underprivileged women and children in Maharashtra.

With a passion for perfection and a keen eye for detail, she believes that while pursuing excellence in business, one must also work ceaselessly for the betterment of our society. She strives to ensure that the Gravittus Foundation keeps moving forward, lifting people up and contributing to societal development. We caught up with her to learn what it is that pushes her to excel.

With grit and determination, Founder-President, Gravittus Foundation, Usha Kakade, strides forward to nurture her company and give back to society.

Usha Kakade

Hall Of Fame Recognition For Outstanding Achievements In Business And Her Contribution To Philanthropy & Social Impact

“When I see the change and impact that my initiatives have brought about in society, I am motivated to do more to help people.”

Excerpts from the interview…

Success is…

Success to me has been playing a key role in supporting worthy causes linked to the emancipation and economic welfare of women and children. Implementing awareness drives on the important issue of ‘Good Touch - Bad Touch’ for children has been a huge measure of success for me. Associating with UNICEF for child rights advocacy and with Mpower, a mental health initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, for child counseling cells have been success markers for me.

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

When I see the change and impact that my initiatives have brought about in society, I am motivated to do more to help people. Generating awareness on myriad social issues and bringing about a positive change in the lives of those around me - these are the things that motivate me to keep pushing myself for societal and philanthropic causes.

“Success to me has been playing a key role in supporting worthy causes linked to the emancipation and economic welfare of women and children.”

“Follow your heart and its truest calling.”

“Always view the challenge as a learning curve.”

The secret to facing challenges…

Is to always view the challenge as a learning curve. I try to see what I can learn from this situation and how I can better myself from that lesson.

The next goal…

I always believe in giving back to society because society has given me so much. I want to reach out to the maximum number of people on the urgency of teaching their children the awareness of good touch and bad touch. It is the need of the hour. Also, women need to be empowered not just financially, but also emotionally so that their families can be run in the proper way.

Words of wisdom…

Always follow your heart and its truest calling. If you have more on your plate than you can finish, don’t hesitate to share your portion with others, it will only come back to you tenfold.

“I always believe in giving back to society because society has given me so much.”

The People’s Hero

By Hannah Cardozo

Actor par excellence, Sonu Sood never fails to impress. Whether it’s Hindi, Telegu, Tamil or Kannada films; comedy or action, his repertoire is vast and offers certifiable proof of his flexibility as an actor. His award-winning and most memorable performances can be seen in ‘Dabanng’, ‘Julayi’, ‘Shootout at Wadala’, ‘Arundhati’, ‘Kung Fu Yoga’ and ‘Jodhaa Akbar’. He is ironically known for his roles as a villain and has won multiple awards such as the Nandi Award for Best Villain and IIFA Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role.

Actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has never shied away from stepping up and giving every endeavour his all.

Sonu Sood

Nation’s Pride Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Indian Cinema And His Humanitarian Efforts

However, Sonu has a heart of gold and is known as one of the most charitable actors. His philanthropic work has earned recognition from the United Nations, especially his efforts to lend a hand to those who needed it most during the pandemic. From migrant workers to students stranded abroad, he has always extended a hand. His philanthropic work has been lauded and has earned him the titles of ‘Real Hero’, ‘Messiah’ and ‘Hero with a Heart’ to name a few.

He initiated the Sood Charity Foundation and launched the Ilaaj India initiative to help those in need. Education, jobs and healthcare are a few areas among others where he has reached out a warm hand of support. Despite his fame and talent, he is courteous in his ways. It is important for him to work at the ground level, not just funding programmes, but finding resources too.

His philanthropic work has earned recognition from the United Nations.

Man With A Plan

Gautam

Chairman

By Hannah Cardozo

Singhania,

& Managing Director of the Raymond Group, the world’s largest producer of suiting fabric, knows how to do business with style!

Gautam Singhania

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Business

Gautam Singhania is a visionary - from textiles to real estate to engineering to FMCG to education, his conglomerate is as expansive as it is versatile. Under his dynamic leadership, it continues to soar, cementing its place as an in-demand brand globally. So, it is no surprise that his business acumen, insights, and zeal have been lauded several times over.

The group has been funding education for 52 years, and Gautam believes that being in education means contributing to the building of the nation. His futuristic plans include an ed-tech segment (named Quest+) that helps reach many more people and remote places. Quest+ launched in March 2021 offers courses that cover academic and skill-based programmes.

He is up to trend with the latest demands, and his shirting and suiting ranges are constantly evolving, keeping his customers in mind. He firmly believes that what Raymond has to offer is an unforgettable in-store experience. Despite the ups and downs of the market during the pandemic, his innovative mindset helped his company grow. He is zealous about speed - be it race cars or planes. Gautam is prolific, dynamic, poignant and spirited. His drive, enthusiasm and passion make him a cutting-edge personality.

His conglomerate is as expansive as it is versatile and under his dynamic leadership, it continues to soar, cementing its place as an in-demand brand globally.

Despite the ups and downs of the market during the pandemic, his innovative mindset helped his company grow.

Trendsetter

Shreegopal Kabra, MD & President, RR Global, uses intuition and insight honed with years of experience to propel his company into the future.

By Amber Dias

Shreegopal Kabra is the Managing Director and President of RR Global. Business leader, philanthropist and global entrepreneur, he is recognized as a trendsetter in the industry. He is credited with being the first to introduce the wires and cables industry to ‘Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cables with Unilay Core Technology’, a unique product that is virtually fireproof, enhancing safety standards that have helped propel the brand to even greater heights. He was also the first to bring the concept of automated car parking systems to India.

He is an active promoter of environmental conservation, health and education, and serves as the President of Friends of Tribal Society. We asked him to share with us what pushes him to succeed.

Shreegopal Kabra

Pride Of India Award For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Business

Excerpts from the interview…

Success is…

Happiness! To achieve success through happiness, it is very important for us to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Not only this, but it should also include respect for the country, respect for the company and also our customers. We, as a company, are striving to achieve our motto of ‘Electrical Safe India’ and it gives me immense happiness to share that RR Kabel is one of the few companies not only in India but also across the globe primarily focusing on safety with our products. With a presence in more than 90 countries, we want to give back to society by manufacturing quality and safe products for consumers. This is one of the biggest parameters for me that defines true success.

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

The biggest motivation for us at the moment is how our company is progressing by generating employment. We started as a family business with a handful of people and after four decades, we have grown multifold as a conglomerate with more than 5,000 employees; which is what motivates me the most. This is the biggest inspiration for us and we also take pride that our brand RR Kabel is the most trusted brand of wires and cables not only in India, but also in more than 90 countries across the globe. We are considered as one of the most reliable brands for consumers and are treated with a lot of respect by our stakeholders.

The secret to overcoming challenges…

The secret of overcoming any challenge is to be ethical in anything that you do. In today’s times, ethics has become a rarity. As an individual, I believe that ethics can take you places and the same is also reflected in my approach at work, which is percolated at the brand and company level too through our products. Ethics provides a sound ground to talk and that helps us present ourselves confidently. For us, whether it’s quality, service or relationships, we believe they can be successfully maintained by being honest and ethical.

The next goal…

Within the next 10 years, we want to be amongst the top 10 players in the world in our sector. In my opinion, Indian companies should look beyond being marquee players only in India. Today, the scenario has changed, the world looks at our

country and Indian companies as an advanced growing market. The companies in India have much more potential to rank themselves higher and set their goals to enjoy global status. As a company and as an individual, we will be aggressively focusing upon the issue of electrical fire safety. The issue of safety is the biggest challenge today due to the market mix as many organised and unorganised players are not even adhering to Indian standards of quality products. It should be made mandatory that the companies must manufacture products as per the global safety standards only. Our company is committed to achieving this goal of electrical fire safety.

“If you are true to yourself, there is nothing that can stop you.”

Words of wisdom…

Commitment, ethics and good behaviour are the only way to grow in life. These values will take us places and are bound to give us whatever we want to achieve in life. If you are true to yourself, there is nothing that can stop you.

“To achieve success through happiness, it is very important for us to create an environment where everyone can thrive.”

“I believe that ethics can take you places.”

Enchantress

Actress, director, producer and politician, Hema Malini dazzles in every role she plays!

By Hannah Cardozo

Bollywood’s very own ‘Dream Girl’ has been dazzling us with her effervescent charm, grace and talent since her debut decades ago. She started out in Tamil films but eventually transitioned to Bollywood, where she has performed in over 150 movies. ‘Sanyasi’, ‘Dharmatma’, ‘Pratogya’, ‘Sholay’ and ‘Trishul’ are some of her best. Her portrayal of both, tragic as well as comic roles, is highly acclaimed.

Her endeavours are not only noteworthy in Bollywood, but also in politics. She has always been known to have strong opinions and thus politics was an obvious choice when she joined the Bhartiya Janta Party. She is also probably the only Hindi film actress who has been promoting Indian classical dance and music through her popular dance ballets ‘Durga’, ‘Radha Krishna’, ‘Meera’, ‘Draupadi’, ‘Mahalaxmi’ and ‘Ganga’ for the last four decades. She has been performing Bharatnatyam since she was 5 years old.

She recently turned into a singer with a series of bhajans on Lord Krishna and Devi Durga. Being fond of dance and yoga, she accredits them as her secret to beauty and fitness. She is alluring, exquisite and gifted. Beyond being just the ‘Dream Girl’, her exceptional talent has made her an iconic name in the domains of acting and classical dance.

Hema Malini

Pride Of India Honour For Being India’s Brand Ambassador For Classical Dance & Cinema

Bollywood’s very own ‘Dream Girl’ has been dazzling us with her effervescent charm, grace and talent since her debut decades ago. Her endeavours are not only noteworthy in Bollywood, but also in politics.

Pathbreaker

By Amber Dias

One of the pioneers of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in India, Dr Nandita Palshetkar is the founder of the Bloom IVF Group and has been lauded for her work in the field of reproductive medicine. Credited with bringing several revolutionary technologies to India, she also works with several organizations for the upliftment of women. The good doctor is also involved with training and teaching programmes, grooming the next generation of IVF specialists. Passionate, driven and compassionate, she constantly strives to do the best for her patients and students. We asked her what drives her to push boundaries and excel…

Dr Nandita Palshetkar uses her extensive experience in the IVF realm to help her patients achieve the best outcomes and fulfill their dreams of becoming parents.

Dr Nandita Palshetkar

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Medicine

Excerpts from the interview…

Success is…

A relative term that can be defined in various ways - professional, financial, positional etc. For me, it means satisfaction and happiness; and there are various means to achieve the same. For me, it comes from passion and perfection in my work for IVF. When my patients are happy, I’m happy.

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

My motivation comes from the basic instinct to help and care for fellow human beings. Through my practice of IVF over the last 25 years, I have realised that helping an infertile couple achieve parenthood is the greatest motivation or inspiration. It’s a lifelong and priceless feeling that gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. The smile and happiness on my patients’ faces is what motivates me to do more each day.

My parents have been my greatest source of inspiration and I am eternally grateful to them for having inculcated righteous virtues in me. My father once told me: If you love what you are doing, you can never tire of it. It will always energise you to do better, do more and provide you with more vigour.

The secret to facing challenges…

Challenges are an inevitable part of life, more so in the life of a doctor. You have to accept them and take them in your stride. By using the correct resources, skills and experiences aptly, one can overcome the challenges. Competence, commitment, courage and confidence help you overcome obstacles.

“Competence, commitment, courage and confidence help you overcome obstacles.”

The next goal…

The goals are many, but I dream of making the treatment of infertility easily accessible and cost-effective for Indian couples. India is a country of contrasts and I see patients from all strata. I want to be able to help all of them to achieve their dream of having a child. Also respectful and quality health care should be everyone’s right, and should be provided to all seeking care. Equity in healthcare is something that is very important and is being promoted by our Prime Minister and the WHO.

Words of wisdom…

Be passionate about your skill and work hard to acquire it. However, at all times, be caring and compassionate, humble, honest, ethical, enterprising and above all strike the right balance between your professional and personal life. That’s my mantra, my ikigai

“Be caring and compassionate, humble, honest, ethical, enterprising and above all strike the right balance between your professional and personal life.”

“Through my practice of IVF over the last 25 years, I have realised that helping an infertile couple achieve parenthood is the greatest motivation or inspiration.”

Mental Health Awareness Champion

Philanthropist Neerja Birla puts her best foot forward in the fight against the mental health crisis.

By Hannah Cardozo

Neerja Birla is the epitome of grace and excellence. As an activist, she is a powerful voice in support of education and addressing the mental health crisis among India’s youth. Using her expertise in psychology, she founded Mpower to help facilitate the incorporation of mental health awareness into the mainstream school curriculum. The Minds Matter programme includes teachers, students and counsellors, creating an ecosystem for mental health in an institution. It is centered around the concepts of positive psychology, mindful behaviour, social-emotional learning, and mental health awareness.

She brings intersectionality into her activism; people play multiple roles and have multiple identities, and she concludes that to bring overall wellness one must acknowledge these intersections.

Neerja Birla

Pride Of India Honour For Her Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Making Tremendous Social Impact

She is an advocate of yoga to bring balance to the mind and body. Her commitment and zeal toward this cause have been greatly appreciated, recognised and lauded.

Neerja Birla believes in empowering people and enabling them to lead enriched lives, and has made it possible through initiatives and collaborations with various partners. An avid reader, sports enthusiast and traveller, she plays an active role across all the organizations she is associated with, and is also a board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is ardent yet empathetic in her approach.

Her commitment and zeal toward mental health awareness have been greatly appreciated, recognised and lauded.

Dynamo

Dr Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi has leveraged unique development strategies to carve out her place at the top of the realty industry.

By Amber Dias

A leader in the real estate realm, Dr Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi is known for her unique business development strategies. She has taken on challenging leadership roles at prestigious organizations and has been ranked under the Top 100 World Marketing Leaders and Top 100 CXO in Realty.

She is the Founder and President of the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) Mahi, under the aegis of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. She is the Mission Director for Nirmal Jal Prayaas and her sincere efforts directed toward gender parity in real estate, skill enhancement and water-saving initiatives have become a movement. Ananta is also passionate about the safety and education of children and is an integral part of several forums working for social and economic growth. We caught up with her to learn what it is that keeps pushing her forward.

Dr Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi

Society Achievers Award For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To The Realty Industry

Excerpts from the interview…

Success is…

Never about material or financial wealth. It is the respect one earns based on the decisions taken in adverse situations. Seniors and juniors appreciating and missing your competence, commitment and courage, especially in your absence, is an expression of respect too. Professional acumen, combined with moral courage and agility in ideation, is probably the recipe for respect. Competitors finding it difficult to face or criticise you is an indirect form of respect too.

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

Simply put, creating a better version of myself inspires me. Challenges motivate me to test my resilience and brilliance. It is important to me to make my family and friends proud of me.

The secret to facing challenges…

Analytical ability, data diving, trend analysis and a scientific problem-solving approach. I do not rest till the goal is conquered.

“Believe and work towards the best-case scenario with full faith.”

“Creating a better version of myself inspires me.”

The next goal…

Time will show you. It is better to talk less and do more.

Words of wisdom…

Believe and work towards the best-case scenario with full faith and amazing strategy, always. But, be prepared for the worst-case scenario too, in the eventuality of surprising derailment. Never lose confidence or be afraid to restart from scratch. Make your wings strong to face the storms. Don’t blame the winds.

“It is better to talk less and do more.”

A Class Act

Actor Sidharth Malhotra has been winning over audiences with stand out performances across film genres.

By Hannah Cardozo

He burst onto the scene with the ever-so-popular ‘Student of the Year’ and Sidharth Malhotra has been winning hearts right off the bat. He started out as a model and went on to directing before he appeared on screen. His movies ‘Ek Villain’ and ‘Kapoor & Sons’ were blockbusters, and ‘Shershaah’ now tops the list, becoming the most-watched Indian film on Amazon Prime Video. He has quite an array of films under his belt and his performances always stand out, showing off his versatility and commitment to his craft.

Sidharth’s proving to be a rocksolid powerhouse. And that hasn’t gone unnoticed either, seeing as he has scooped up awards for Breakthrough Performance, Most Entertaining Actor in a Romantic Film, and Powerhouse Performer of the Year. His suave sense of style has also earned him the titles of Super Stylish Actor and India’s Most Stylish. Besides his talent and charisma, he also loves animals and has been associated with animal welfare organizations like PETA and Wildlife SOS.

Sidharth Malhotra

Best Actor Award For Outstanding And Path-Breaking Achievements In Indian Films

He has quite an array of films under his belt and his performances always stand out, showing off his versatility and commitment to his craft.

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Business & Philanthropy

Indomitable!

Savita Chhabra, Vice Chairperson & Director, Hygienic Research Institute Pvt Ltd, found her wings as an entrepreneur, and is shifting her focus to helping those in need.

By Amber Dias

Stepping into the shoes of an entrepreneur was not a part of Savita Chhabra’s plan. However, when circumstances demanded it, she didn’t just step up to the plate, but rose to the challenge.

It was not an easy journey, but she persevered and became instrumental in transforming the Hygienic Research Institute into the multi-crore venture we know it as. Her ability to learn and adapt has made her a formidable leader.

Among the many accolades she has received for her business acumen are the ‘Special Award for Women Entrepreneurs’ from the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh in 2007, and the ‘National Award for Business Excellence’.

Savita Chhabra

Her focus now is on the HRI Foundation which encourages skill training through programmes like the Bedside Assistance Programme for Girls from the Nalasopara slums, Maharashtra, and the Data Entry Operator Programme for accounting. The Foundation also promotes education by adopting a school in Himachal and building infrastructure for schools. She also spearheads projects for women’s empowerment and environmental conservation. We took a moment to find out what it is that drives her.

Excerpts from the interview…

Success is…

When you think beyond being unsuccessful. And the road to success is not a smooth one, but definitely interesting if you enjoy what you do.

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

The dynamism around me pushes me. There is still a lot to learn and adapt to in a new environment, and in terms of technology.

The secret to facing challenges...

Learn and understand things in detail. Seek expertise and guidance.

The next goal…

Serving and giving back to society.

“The road to success is not a smooth one, but definitely interesting if you enjoy what you do.”

“There is still a lot to learn and adapt to in a new environment, and in terms of technology.”

Words of wisdom…

In the face of failure, don’t give up on your dreams. Failures are an important part of the process and make success taste so much sweeter.

“In the face of failure, don’t give up on your dreams.”

A Master Juggler

By Hannah Cardozo

Amruta Fadnavis is a firm believer that every woman should follow her passion and be financially independent; and she leads by example. A most noteworthy example is breaking stereotypes or perceptions of the wife of a Chief Minister or politician, and pursing her own passions and causes.

She is currently the Vice President of the Transaction Banking Department of Axis Bank, and while at work she is a topnotch professional, she also always makes time for social causes like spreading awareness for acid attack victims, fighting against female infanticide, adopting villages and working to develop and lift them up economically. She has also partnered with the BMC to promote a wellness campaign for a cleaner community.

Banker, singer and social activist, Amruta Fadnavis does not shy away from pursuing her passions, though her heart remains firmly with giving back to society.

Amruta Fadnavis Society Achievers Award for Social Changemaker Extraordinaire

Her heart is clearly for the people. She was a keynote speaker at the ‘Masterminds’ ceremony where she received ‘The Best Achievement Award’ for her work as an activist. She also founded Divyaj Foundation which reaches out to the marginalised citizens to engage and empower them.

Amruta Fadnavis is passionate, tenacious, benevolent, elegant and insightful. As a woman in a position of power, she has chosen to use her resources for the good of society. She stands as a tall example of someone who wants to bring about transformative social change and contribute to making a better world that is inclusive, sustainable, and respects every individual.

Hats off to this amazing lady!

Amruta Fadnavis is a firm believer that every woman should follow her passion and be financially independent; and she leads by example.

She stands as a tall example of someone who wants to bring about transformative social change and contribute to making a better world.

Go-Getter

Chairman and Managing Director of Sahakar Global Limited, Kishore Agarwal pours his passion into

By Amber Dias

A pioneer in steering Sahakar Global Limited and helping it grow into the company it is today, Kishore Agarwal has immersive experience in the field of construction, octroi collection and toll collection.

Thanks to his efforts, today Sahakar Global Limited is the highest revenue contributor to NHAI in terms of user fee collection by contributing nearly 15-20% of revenue. He has been felicitated by various institutions for his philanthropic work in support of widows, the elderly and education. We sat down with him to figure out what makes him tick.

Kishore Agarwal

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements & Contribution To Business & Philanthropy

building his business and giving back to society.

from the interview…

Achieving something you always dreamt about. Individual progress is the first step to achieving success. Success further means giving back to society in gratitude for self-achievement and making a difference. Success also means accomplishment and satisfaction in serving society once individual

The inspiration to keep moving forward… Chasing goals has always motivated me. The challenges involved and failure amid the journey towards success always made me eager to look for alternate ways to turn a situation around. My mind is not made to accept failure. Whenever I had a low moment, I always took it as an opportunity to reassess myself and re-strategize and channelise inner positivity to find solutions. Setting up targets and revising these targets periodically has inspired me to keep moving forward. I was always keen to enter into niche, unexplored segments. The business segment which I started was seen as a peripheral activity in the infrastructure industry. Today, Pension Funds are following the model which we started and championed.

Excerpts

“Success also means accomplishment and satisfaction in serving society once individual milestones are achieved.”

The secret of facing challenges…

There is no secret to overcoming challenges. Determination and zeal to grow, continuous work and patience have helped me overcome them.

The next goal…

The journey started 25 years ago, but the vision has since grown. The second generation is now ready to take it forward, so now I have triple the strength than when I started my business.

Words of wisdom…

Be honest about your goals. Being positive, dedicated and focused is necessary, but continuous work even without outcomes is the key to paving the path to your dreams.

“Chasing goals has always motivated me.”

“Be honest about your goals.”

Powerhouse

Director, producer and television personality, Rohit Shetty takes on every challenge with his own unique style.

By Hannah Cardozo

Shooting to success with ‘Golmaal’, Rohit Shetty has become one of India’s most recognized directors and producers, known for his action-packed, comedy-driven blockbusters. He has redefined how mainstream popular films are made. He has his pulse on what the audience wants and delivers accordingly. He has created his own individualistic brand of filmmaking that audiences love - they know exactly what to expect from a Rohit Shetty film.

He started his career at the tender age of 15 as an assistant director on the film ‘Phool Aur Kante’. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to bring his vision to life. His movies ‘Singham’, ‘Chennai Express’, ‘Simmba’ and ‘Sooryavanshi’ have been blockbusters and broken records. His unique sense of style and creative thinking shine through in all his projects. Action, comedy and entertaining films are his forte.

Rohit doesn’t just work his magic behind the camera, he’s taken a turn in front of it too, bringing the drive, passion, and love of all things adrenaline pumping to his role as host for ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi’. He is brilliant, adept and at the top of the game. His skill and originality are unmatched.

Rohit Shetty

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Indian Entertainment

His unique sense of style and creative thinking shine through in all his projects. Action, comedy and entertaining films are his forte.

Leader all the way!

Dr Ajeenkya DY Patil, President, Ajeenkya DY Patil University, and Chairman, Ajeenkya DY Patil Group, forges ahead in the education and healthcare domains with drive and determination.

By Amber Dias

Dr Ajeenkya DY Patil is the personification of exceptional leadership ability, with an accomplished track record in articulating a compelling vision and successfully leading institutional change, while responding to diverse challenges and interests. He has proven his proficiency in attracting meaningful collaborations from public and private sectors at local and international levels. He has actively initiated long-term programme with leading international universities around the world. His ability as a leader and commitment to social inclusion, openness, diversity, equity, fairness and respect have earned him several accolades. We caught up with him to learn a little more about what makes him tick.

Dr Ajeenkya Patil

Society Achievers Award For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Education

Excerpts from the interview…

Success is…

One dimension of success for me indeed is the accomplishment of goals. But on a broader base, it is enjoying the journey to reach my goals, to create something new, and to draw satisfaction from that creation. It is about transcending the desire for the pinnacle and instead focusing on the effort, and eventually achieving excellence in a chosen endeavour.

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

The mental stimulation, hope and excitement of new initiatives instill drive in me. The search for purpose, meaning and excellence motivates me to discover newer pursuits and once found, the inspiration comes from within to explore that and make it happen. It is the spirit of “doing”, the zeal to do more and to do good that keeps me moving.

The secret to facing challenges…

Obstacles are a part and parcel of what one does. If there is action, there will be impediments. Without the hurdles life also would be so boring. There won’t be any drama and nor would there be any adventure. Patience, perseverance and persistence are the three keywords I deploy to overcome any challenge that’s thrown at us. Instead of being stuck with common understanding, often changing one’s lenses to see the problem gets answers which leads to unusual but happy solutions.

The next goal…

Our group foundation is based on service to the people which we extend through education, healthcare and our other endeavours. Our next goal is to create more opportunities for people to get excellent education and affordable, high-quality healthcare. We have initiated a few projects in this direction, key being a couple of hospitals that are coming up, and GoSchool too.

Words of wisdom…

I recall the timeless teaching of “Love All, Serve All, Help Ever, Hurt Never” by Sri Sathya Sai Baba. In this one powerful sentence is the gist of a well-lived life. I recommend following this advice from Baba to enrich your own life as well as that of others with whom you co-exist.

“Patience, perseverance and persistence are the three keywords I deploy to overcome any challenge that’s thrown at us.”

“Mental stimulation, hope and excitement of new initiatives instill drive in me.”

“It is the spirit of doing, the zeal to do more and to do good that keeps me moving.”

Empowering Change

By Hannah Cardozo

The fiery, prolific and talented Tamannaah Bhatia is no stranger to multitasking. With a rich body of work, including Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films, she debuted as an actress at the budding age of 15 in the Hindi film ‘Chand Sa Roshan Chehra’. Some of her notable works include ‘Lion’, ‘100% Love’, ‘Oosaravelli’, ‘Racha’, ‘Baahubali: The Beginning’, ‘Devi’, ‘Veeram’ and ‘Sketch’. She has dazzled on screen, earning several award nominations and wins such as the SIIMA Award and Filmfare Awards for her memorable performances, especially for her work in South Indian films. Her performance in Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Bubbly Bouncer’ sees her take on a new challenge as she raises her voice for women empowerment.

Besides being an actor and entrepreneur, she is also the brand ambassador of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign. In 2018, she starred in the film ‘AA BB KK’ alongside child actor Sunny Pawar to bring awareness to the cause.

Bhatia

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia has carved out her place in the film industry and is using her platform to evoke societal change.

Tamannaah

Society Achievers Award For Outstanding Performance In ‘Bubbly Bouncer’

Tamanna is an advocate for better health and promotes ancient Indian practices that help people in preventing diseases, improving longevity, and subsequently improving the quality of their lives through her book ‘Back to the Roots’ which was co-authored with Luke Coutinho.

Her performance in Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Bubbly Bouncer’ sees her take on a new challenge as she raises her voice for women empowerment.

Dreammaker

Tejas

Labshetwar,

Founder & CEO of Gyanberry, leverages technology to help students find a foothold on their way to excellence.

By Amber Dias

Helping young minds get the best education possible is what drives Tejas Labshetwar, Founder & CEO of Gyanberry, a technology-enabled platform for students to choose best-fit careers. He has impacted the lives of thousands of students by helping them get into top universities worldwide.

In the last 10 years, Tejas and his team of expert counselors have counseled over 100,000 students to get into top universities around the world and also obtain scholarships for their studies. We caught up with him to understand what pushes him to excel.

Tejas Labhshetwar Young Achievers Award For Excellence In The Field Of Education

Mr Tejas Labhshetwar, CEO & Founder, Gyanberry

Excerpts from the interview…

Success is…

If I am able to learn new things every day and improve myself, I will consider myself a successful individual.

Success is relative to what you measure it against. Hence, I avoid comparisons with other individuals and companies to measure my own success. Instead, I compare myself with the younger me and evaluate if I am a better individual and professional today.

It is also important for me to help my team achieve their goals. Empowering my wife, son, family members, customers and employees is an enriching experience. Their success becomes my success. If I can contribute even 1% to their success, I would consider myself successful too.

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

Entrepreneurship motivates me. There is no limit to what you can achieve and the impact you can have. The possibility of impacting customers’ lives with better service and products helps me push boundaries every day. Through Gyanberry, we have impacted the lives of thousands of students by helping them get into top universities worldwide, and the experience has helped shape their thoughts and outlook towards life. Many of them now are successful professionals in their respective fields. Post the COVID pandemic, I have intensified our company’s services and offerings to help aspiring doctors get into top medical universities worldwide and reduce the shortage of doctors worldwide. In 2021 alone we counseled over 3,000 students to apply and get admitted into medical universities in over 15 countries, with the hope that they can serve society.

Through entrepreneurship, I am able to create employment and provide a livelihood to many families. There are several employees who, inspired by the company’s achievements, took the risk to leave and start their own companies. Although I lost good employees, letting them go and flourish on their own was heartening. I run the business to positively impact all stakeholders including our customers and employees. To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be a better human being and improve your business skills every day. This is what truly keeps me going.

The secret to facing challenges…

Challenges can either make or break you! I take them as an opportunity to grow and learn. In my journey, I have both overcome and succumbed to them. No matter how tough a challenge is, I try to remain calm, knowing it can be overcome too. As a father, husband and entrepreneur, I face challenges in different forms, with varying levels of intensity.

“The possibility of impacting customers’ lives with better service and products helps me push boundaries every day.”

Life is uncertain and not everything can happen the way I expect. It took me several years to be mentally prepared for uncertain outcomes and be prepared to face challenges with positive intent. My wife has been a pillar of strength for me and has always helped me look at the positive side of life. Having a partner that understands you and stands by you is a blessing and I am thankful for that. What has also helped me is speaking with friends and experts to seek their advice and viewpoint.

The next goal…

I have two goals - personal and professional. On the personal front, as a father to my 4-year-old son, I want to be the best parent I can be along with my wife. Children are shaped by the day-to-day experiences and interactions they have. My wife and I want to spend as much time as possible with our son to help him become the best version of himself, and do what we can to help him acquire new skills.

“Learn to enjoy the journey and be thankful for the people you meet along the way.”

Mr Tejas Labhshetwar receiving the Young Achievers Award through Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra Mr Eknath Shinde and Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Mr. Devendra Fadnavis

On the professional front, my next goal is to transform the study abroad business with the help of technology and build the region’s largest study abroad website. I truly believe technology can transform how business is done and have a positive impact on customers’ lives. I have already started taking steps to execute our vision and have launched a tech-driven admission platform, OneApply.io, wherein students can apply to top medical universities anywhere in the world with just a few clicks and get expert help throughout their admission journey. Already in the beta version, hundreds of students have signed up and have begun their journey to becoming a doctor. My goal is to make OneApply the go-to platform for international students to compare and apply to courses and universities worldwide.

Words of wisdom…

Whatever your dream is, go chase it! In the process, learn to enjoy the journey and be thankful for the people you meet along the way. Success is never guaranteed, but the possibility of success increases after every failure. Make it a habit to speak or spend time with people who have already achieved what you want to achieve, it can help you navigate the journey and plan your goals better.

“Success is relative to what you measure it against.”

Rising To The Challenge

Entrepreneur and restaurateur Neeti Goel never says die, but remains in pursuit of her passions and giving back to society.

By Amber Dias

Entrepreneur, restaurateur and humanitarian, Neeti Goel is always ready to step up to help those in need. During the pandemic, she teamed up with actor Sonu Sood, co-founding the ‘Ghar Bhejo’ and ‘Khana Chahiye’ initiatives. The causes of domestic violence against women and drug abuse are also very dear to her. The beginning of the green army in the rural villages of Uttar Pradesh was a significant step in helping the victims of domestic violence and drug abuse. Passionate, driven and committed to helping others, she shows us that excellence takes many forms and that sometimes success simply means reaching out with an open hand. We sat down with her to find out what fuels her passion.

Neeti Goel

Iconic Woman Of The Year Award For Excellence In Business And Contribution To Philanthropy

Excerpts from the interview…

Not in the recognition that one finds in the world or how one is perceived in society, but rather when one knows how to walk with joy and live life the way you want with absolute ease and abundance, spreading love and light.

The secret to facing challenges…

Having hailed from an industrial family based in Chandigarh, my late father Subodh Gupta and my mother Neelam Gupta instilled in me the values of being independent, working hard, and most importantly believing in one’s self and striving to achieve one’s dreams. They taught me to overcome all hurdles no matter what comes in the way. The relentless support of my husband Pranay Goel, who has always held my hand, has also helped me overcome my challenges.

“My late father Subodh Gupta and my mother Neelam Gupta instilled in me the values of being independent, working hard, and most importantly believing in one’s self and striving to achieve one’s dreams.”

“Always listen to your inner voice and follow your passion.”

Words of wisdom…

Hard work and labour alone will not get you anywhere. The right place, the right timing and the right kind of action is important. Germination of an idea is not enough, you need to channelise your efforts in the right direction and for that to happen, you need to enhance your perception and intelligence. Take charge of your life and unfold your aspirations. Always listen to your inner voice and follow your passion.

“Germination of an idea is not enough, you need to channelise your efforts in the right direction and for that to happen, you need to enhance your perception and intelligence.”

Heartthrob

Known for his stellar comedic performances, actor Kartik Aaryan certainly knows how to impress.

By Hannah Cardozo

The very dapper Kartik Aaryan won us over with his comedic timing in his debut film ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’ and its sequel. And he’s only gotten better, earning numerous awards along the way. His accolades include Entertainer of the Year and Super Stylish Actor for his varied roles. His brilliant performance in ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ has made him the nation’s hearthrob!

His producers say he’s a fighter and works like an underdog, taking nothing for granted. This passion and dedication to his craft is reflected in each of his performances. It is this same passion he brings to the football field as a member of the All Stars Football Club for their charity matches.

He has bagged multiple deals with companies like Cadbury, Fanta, Doritos of PepsiCo, ITC Engage, Armani, and Boat among others. He is wary of his choices and doesn’t make spontaneous decisions despite his phenomenal success, placing him head and shoulders above many.

Kartik Aaryan

Society Achievers Star Of The Year

His brilliant performance in ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ has made him the nation’s heartthrob! Yet he is wary of his choices and doesn’t make spontaneous decisions despite his phenomenal success.

Brand Builder

Dr Saurabh Gadgil, MD & CEO, PNG Jewellers, uses creative thinking and strategies to help

By Amber Dias

A sixth-generation entrepreneur, Dr Saurabh Gadgil has been instrumental in transforming PNG Jewellers into the brand we know and love today. Currently, he is at the helm of a 190-yearold business that continues to grow and expand globally. He embodies the three values PNG Jewellers stands on: Trust. Commitment. Purity. He is also known for his philanthropic work directed towards supporting underprivileged children. We sat down with him to find out what it is that fuels his drive to succeed.

Dr Saurabh Gadgil

his family-founded business soar.

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Business

from the interview…

Success is…

The word “success” is relative. It changes from time to time and from phase to phase. I map my success in terms of not only doing well on the business front, but also across all aspects of life - be it health, happiness of the family, travelling and meeting new people, maintaining friendships that go back decades, developing new friendships, making sure that people at PNG are happy and are moving forward in life etc. Success for me also means creating a legacy in business, supporting our community, adding value to society, learning every day and having a childlike curiosity for things.

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

Inspiration can be found in anything. It is the perspective that matters. Rags to riches stories inspire me, the hard work of our teams inspires me. The curiosity that my children have for learning new things inspires me. The successes of my peers and our competition as well motivate me to do better. The point is to always find an inspiring story, look within, and then act upon that inspiration to achieve more and be better.

Excerpts

“Inspiration can be found in anything. It is the perspective that matters.”

The secret to facing challenges…

Overcoming challenges gets easier with experience. Knowing that you are not alone and that a team of over 1,000 members of the PNG family are firmly behind you makes meeting challenges head-on easier. Everything also becomes easier when you focus on your health - emotional, mental and physical. Good health brings clarity of vision and strength to act in a timely fashion. Also, playing chess for so many years has helped me identify potential challenges before they arrive, thereby allowing me the time to prepare for them.

The next goal…

The vision for PNG Jewellers as a brand is growth. By growth, I mean growth in all aspects. Be it financial, brand value, growth of our people, adding more stores in India as well as overseas, adding more product lines, becoming better at customer service, adding to our goodwill, being relevant in the industry and staying meaningful in our society through our CSR initiatives. I want to create a legacy that the next generation can take forward. We are deeply committed to remaining a people-first company and shall be introducing a slew of policies that will further strengthen our company culture.

Words of wisdom…

Follow your heart. Focus on learning. We are all students of life and must remain so. Every day is a new day, so be positive in the face of adversity and never give up on your dreams. Be kind to people around you and give back to society as much as you can.

“Good health brings clarity of vision and strength to act in a timely fashion.”

“We are all students of life and must remain so.”

A Legacy of Trust A commitment to the future

Established in 1977, we started with a simple mission - to preserve the quality and craft in harvesting the finest wood

Our philosophy is that of trust, honesty and transparency which has enabled us to build a world-class veneer manufacturing unit in Kerala with over 400 varieties of veneers.

A future facing brand and market leader in solid surfaces, Jalaram Timber Depot was the first to introduce Corian® DupontSurface™ in India, among several other brands that we are proud to partner with.

A Legacy of Trust

Our 20,000 sq. ft showroom in Mumbai and our factory ensures that we have ready stock available for delivery at all times.

A commitment to the future

Established in 1977, we started with a simple mission - to preserve the quality and craft in harvesting the finest wood

Our philosophy is that of trust, hone ty and transparency which has enabled us to build a world-class veneer manufacturing unit in Kerala with over 400 varieties of venee

A future facing brand and market leader in solid surfaces, Jalaram Timber Depot was the first to introduce Corian® DupontSurface™ in India, among several other brands that we are proud to partner with.

Our 20,000 sq. ft showroom in Mumbai and our factory ensures that we have ready stock available for delivery at all times.

Queen Bee

Director, choreographer, producer and actor, Farah Khan wears her many hats like a crown.

By Hannah Cardozo

No one calls the shots quite like director, producer and choreographer Farah Khan. Her career in choreography was inspired by Michael Jackson’s music video ‘Thriller’. Since then, she has worked on multiple movies in Bollywood and overseas as a choreographer, earning recognition and the National Award for Best Choreography. Her hits include ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’, ‘Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan’, ‘Desi Girl’, ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ and ‘Dhol Bajne Laga’. She has trained famous Hollywood names like Shakira and Kylie Minogue too.

Farah’s venture into the directorial and scriptwriting spheres has brought us some beloved films. Her distinctive style reflects in her films which are full-on entertaining! Her creative perspective and diligence to her craft has earned her numerous nominations and awards including ‘Best Debutant Director’ and ‘Best Director’. And even though ‘Om Shanti Om’ was only her second time directing, it became the highest-grossing Hindi film at the time of its release.

Her movies and dances have a way of becoming iconic one way or the other –“Ek Chutki Sindoor” and ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ are cases in point. Farah’s expertise and guidance are incredibly valuable to the industry. This fearless femme does not shy away from taking a turn in front of the camera either, dazzling us all with her film and TV appearances on ‘Indian Idol’, ‘Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega’, and ‘Just Dance’. Farah is humorous, innovative, tenacious and diligent. She is known for her wit and prowess, and is loved by everyone she works with.

Farah Khan

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Indian Cinema

Her distinctive style reflects in her films which are full-on entertaining!

Farah Khan’s creative perspective and diligence to her craft has earned her numerous nominations and awards.

A maverick legal professional

Adv Aashuutosh Srivastava’s passion for justice drives his career as a leading lawyer practising in the Supreme Court of India and High Courts across the country.

By Amber Dias

Advocate Aashuutosh Srivastava is an ethically driven lawyer whose legal brilliance is highly regarded in the legal community. He has already been applauded for being an individualist and an energetic lawyer who sets benchmarks by representing many high-profile cases. Amidst the Indian legal fraternity, he is known for his forte in criminal law and high-profile cases related to financial scams. He set a benchmark and became a role model for the youth in the legal profession by representing India at the most coveted International Forum where he was conferred with the “Mahatma Gandhi Samman” at the House of Lords in London in 2017. A young and dynamic criminal lawyer, he has achieved abundant success in several controversial and high-profile cases in India related to CBI, CID, narcotics and several complex bail matters. We caught up with him to find out what pushes him to excel.

Adv Aashuutosh Srivastava

Society Achievers Award For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To The Field Of Law

Excerpts from the interview…

Success is…

Contentment with achievements, accomplishment of targets, and hard work exerted every day. I believe that every day’s hard work with sheer dedication and determination can bring incredible success to a person over a considerable period of time. There is no shortcut or easy way to achieve milestones. Having said that, success is not final and is a never-ending process. It’s what you make happen, not what happens to you. As lawyers, our best successes advance justice, not just the bottom line. It’s about your commitment to professionally assist others and your ability to trust yourself and be true to your values. Success is about understanding your prime concerns as a person, being clear on your responsibilities and duties as a lawyer (to the court, to your client, and to your opponents), and then living by your values and discharging your obligations to the best of your ability - Every Single Day. As lawyers, our success rises with our ability to serve our clients’ needs, so if I am able to deliver in accordance with my clients’ needs and get them any kind of relief with dedication, determination, grit, hard work, integrity and compassion, then that’s success to me.

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

The hardships that my parents endured, which I witnessed every day, and the struggle of an honest man (my father), and also my own experience of overcoming adversities taught me and still motivates me to work hard and move forward, pushing every limit so as not to face such hardships ever again.

The secret to facing challenges…

Being an in-demand lawyer in today’s competitive market means so much more than simply showing good judgment. Perception, intuition, analysis, the ability to get things done, being a good listener and trust are essential. The gravity of the cases can wear on you. The client’s freedom is at stake. You need to look and act strong to carry the client’s worries and anxieties. You want to be a saviour, come in and save the day – it can keep you up at night, worrying about whether you’ve done everything you can to the best of your ability. No matter the practice area, clients expect their lawyers to be a pillar of strength and to be perfect.

The next goal…

Is simply to learn and sharpen my skills every day with new experiences, knowledge and skill sets to make myself a better individual and a maverick legal professional.

Words of wisdom…

I feel the biggest risk in life is to not take a risk. One must take calculative and analytical risks to succeed in his/her life. Every individual is unique and blessed with peculiar skills, mindsets and experiences, and it is most important how they demonstrate and develop their qualities to their best abilities to achieve great success.

“If I am able to deliver in accordance with my clients’ needs and get them any kind of relief with dedication, determination, grit, hard work, integrity and compassion, then that’s success to me.”

“Perception, intuition, analysis, the ability to get things done, being a good listener and trust are essential to be an in-demand lawyer.”

“One must take calculative and analytical risks to succeed in his/her life.”

Visionary

Madhur

Bhandarkar

director, scriptwriter and producer - is a creative force to be reckoned with.

By Hannah Cardozo

Madhur Bhandarkar’s contribution to the film industry is undeniable. Be it as a director, producer or scriptwriter, he has brought us films that have captured our attention and given us much to think about. However, his rise to fame was not easy. He worked at a video cassette library in Khar, Mumbai, with access to a large collection of movies and he studied film-making by watching and learning from these video cassettes.

His brand of filmmaking is highly specialised and he tackles the topical, subjectdriven genre. These include hits like ‘Chandni Bar’, ‘Page 3’, ‘Fashion’ and ‘Heroine’. His most recent film ‘Bubbly Bouncer’ is a success and his new film ‘Lockdown’ is awaiting release. Madhur is known for his realistic and compelling portrayals; his motivation and vision is not to expose reality, but let art be a mirror of society.

Madhur Bhandarkar

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Indian Cinema

His passion to push boundaries and excel as a storyteller has been rewarded with National Awards for Best Film on Social Issues, Best Feature Film, Best Director, and Best Feature Film in Bengali. He is the only director to have won five National Awards. The maverick director has also received several nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay, and has been conferred with the Padma Shri Award. His impressive body of work often finds him being described as ‘The Filmmaker of the First Decade of the 21st Century’.

His passion to push boundaries and excel as a storyteller has been rewarded with five National Awards, and the Padma Shri Award.

People’s Champ

Industrialist Deepak Mane puts social sustainability and community building at the centre of all his endeavours.

By Amber Dias

Deepak Mane is a visionary, playing versatile roles. He runs successful companies in diverse fields of construction, apparel design, outsourcing, photography and has an upcoming venture in fashion education. He has an empathetic approach, whereby he puts his best foot forward to make social sustainability a reality. He is an inspiration to youth and always looks forward to welcoming new ideas which will benefit the community around him. We caught up with him to understand what pushes him to excel.

Excerpts from the interview…

Success is…

Helping the community around me that I have built. Success is striving for social sustainability.

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

The happiness of my family and everyone around me is of utmost importance to me. That is what motivates me to be a better person and push my limits every day.

The secret to facing challenges…

Simplicity and genuinity have always been my core strengths, and I believe they help me overcome challenges. All things eventually will become achievable if done correctly.

The next goal…

Social sustainability is my ultimate goal. And empowering the youth through our apparel store Royal Tasta, our outsourcing company Thistle, and our new fashion education venture will help me achieve that goal.

Words of wisdom…

Believe in yourself and trust the process. Things will fall into place.

Deepak Mane

Society Achievers Award For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Philanthropy

“Simplicity and genuinity have always been my core strengths, and I believe they help me overcome challenges.”

“Believe in yourself and trust the process. Things will fall into place.”

Rising Star

By Hannah Cardozo

The young and dynamic Nyrika Holkar is the scion of the Godrej family. She leads Digital Strategy, Brand, Legal and M&A for Godrej & Boyce and its subsidiaries. However, her path to success was not simply handed to her, but earned on merit.

She began her career at prominent legal firm AZB & Partners where she specialised in M&A transactions and advised foreign companies seeking to invest in India before joining G&B. If that isn’t impressive enough, she is a member of the Bar Association of India and is also a qualified solicitor in the United Kingdom. This is brought about by her acumen, devotion and aplomb.

Executive Director of Godrej & Boyce, Nyrika Holkar is taking her family’s legacy forward with confidence, striving to help build a better world.

Nyrika Holkar Society Young Achievers Award For Excellence In The Field Of Business

Nyrika is also actively involved in G&B’s community development efforts including education, and skilling, along with the preservation and protection of Mumbai’s mangroves. She is a member of the Boards of the Centre for the Advancement of Philanthropy, and the United World College Committee (UWC) India, and a patron of ‘Child Rights and You’. Trekking, wildlife and photography are some of her abiding interests beyond work. Nyrika is altruistic, ardent and astute. Not only does she dedicatedly handle the legal side of business smoothly, but she also finds time to represent causes close to her heart.

Nyrika is actively involved in Godrej & Boyce’s community development efforts including education, and skilling, along with the preservation and protection of Mumbai’s mangroves.

By Hannah Cardozo

Former cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar’s outstanding performance on the pitch won hearts across the country, and he continues to put in the work to help mould the next generation of cricket stars.

Dilip Vengsarkar

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Cricket

Cricket legend and former captain of Team India, Dilip Vengsarkar was just in his teens when he slammed a majestic century during the Irani Trophy match in 1975, earning himself a spot in the Indian team. Vengsarkar made his international cricket debut against New Zealand at Auckland in 1975–76 as an opening batsman.

At the pinnacle of his career, Vengsarkar was rated as the best batsman in the Coopers and Lybrand rating (a predecessor of the PWC ratings), and he held the No. 1 slot for 21 months until 2 March 1989. Vengsarkar took over the captaincy from Kapil Dev after the 1987 Cricket World Cup. And, of course, his key contribution to India’s 1983 World Cup win can never be forgotten.

He was the Vice President of the Mumbai Cricket Association in 2003, and was appointed the Chairman of the Talent Resource Development Wing when it was created in 2002 to develop cricket talent within the country. He also served as the BCCI’s Chairman of Selectors between 2006 and 2008. Presently, he is the Chief Adviser of the Cricket Association of Telangana (CAT).

Post-retirement, he started the Elf-Vengsarkar Academy. He is passionate about nurturing young talent and focuses on polishing youngsters’ cricketing skills with utmost dedication. For his outstanding contribution to Indian cricket, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1987. His cricketing career spanning close to five decades makes him a standout phenomenon.

His key contribution to India’s 1983 World Cup win can never be forgotten.

Changemaker

By Amber Dias

Engineer turned politician, Tai Nikio is an active member of the Nyishi Elite Society, a premier body for the Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. With dynamic leadership skills, intuitive foresight and the passion to nurture the people of the tribe, he is paving the way for the future. His progressive thinking and commitment to helping others have earned him recognition and numerous accolades. We caught up with him to learn what pushes him to excel.

Nikio

Success is…

Success may be described as the realisation of a goal. When a man works towards this goal, there is present in the back of his mind a hunger to achieve this goal. When the means are adequate for realising this, he attains success. One of the virtues to achieve success is mental fitness. This means having a clear vision of the goal. Without a clear vision, the individual’s energy gets exhausted and he tires himself out. Other valuable and essential virtues for success are steadiness and perseverance. The path to success is full of obstacles and these have to be overcome. To fight these impediments, patience and fortitude are required. The world is a place where ‘the survival of the fittest’ is the law. This means physical fitness, mental fitness or intelligence, and strong personal etiquette which includes honesty, discipline, punctuality and so on. A person with these qualities, a clear vision and the perseverance to go the distance, will always achieve success.

Tai Nikio strives to nurture and empower people, building stronger community ties and paving the way forward.

Tai

Society Achievers Award For Excellence In Social Service Leadership

Excerpts from the interview…

The inspiration to keep moving forward…

The real motivation and inspiration for me is the willingness to serve society. As said by Swami Vivekananda: “Service to mankind is service to God”, I too believe that serving the people of my society and fellow countrymen is not only my moral duty, but my personal duty and personal goal as well. It is this sense of true patriotism, which is the divine spark in the human breath, which has taught a man to love his own land and people more than anything else, that drives me to look further and keep moving towards this goal. I love my motherland and my people. I believe that with proper guidance, mentoring and meaningful work, we can ensure that the young men and women of India participate in nation-building and create wonders. To achieve this has become my lifelong goal and I am gladly willing to sacrifice my life for it. Inclusive development is the need of the hour for our state and nation. Our goal of poverty eradication and employment generation that embraces the marginalised and disadvantaged sections of society is one of the steps that I strongly agree upon.

The secret to facing challenges…

My secret is that I know what I want to achieve in my life. It’s a clear goal and I am very proud of it, so I work towards achieving it no matter what. I want to serve the people of

my society to my fullest capacity. For this, I have opted towards a path to become a “real leader”. A real leader is one who dedicates his heart and soul for the welfare of the people and all he/she wants in return is to see a society that is well-developed, happy and just. A real leader works for the betterment of society in accordance with the laws of the land. Some people call me a “politician”, but what I truly want to be acknowledged as is a “leader” because a leader heartily works towards the betterment of society in a fair and just manner, and does not resort to cheap election gimmicks and false promises. And when you have that kind of clear objective, no challenge is too big for you.

The next goal…

I want to lead the people of my state towards development and harmony and to that end, I contested the 2019 MLA elections which I lost. It is an unfinished task for me and I have set my sights on the upcoming election. For this, I am working on fixing my errors and allowing the will of the people to guide me.

Words of wisdom…

Have the strongest determination to succeed and remember that failures are nothing but pillars of success.

“One of the virtues to achieve success is mental fitness.”

“Some people call me a ‘politician’, but what I truly want to be acknowledged as is a ‘leader’.”

Making It Rain

Entrepreneur Rohini

By Hannah Cardozo

A powerhouse entrepreneur, Rohini Iyer is one of the most influential women in the entertainment industry. Known to be a rainmaker, she started off at a very young age with her reputation management company - Raindrop Media, which is responsible for the rise of many superstars in Bollywood. It all started with Farah Khan and her directorial debut film ‘Main Hoon Na’.

Rohini previously managed the marketing and branding of several entertainment projects during her stint at entertainment channels MTV and Channel V, thus she was well-equipped when she branched out on her own. Raindrop might have started as a drop, but it has been quietly diversifying into a group of companies aptly called Rain Reign. This game-changing entrepreneur has superstars, as well as legendary filmmakers, vouch for her sharp acumen, her Midas touch, and everything that she brings to the table.

Rohini Iyer Society Achievers Award For Most Influential Entrepreneur

Iyer has proved that she has what it takes to stand tall in the entertainment business.

She faced the odds as a young woman in the industry, but overcame them and now encourages other women to do the same and not settle for less. One’s capabilities should be attributed to their success, not their gender. With as many as 27 national and international power lists and almost 20 influential awards to her name, Rohini is an unstoppable force in the entertainment business.

She faced the odds as a young woman in the industry, but she overcame them and now encourages other women to do the same and not settle for less.

An Advocate With Gumption!

By Amber Dias

Advocate Ayush Jindal is a young yet thriving counsel who specializes in criminal law and white-collar crimes. Despite having a business and entrepreneurial family background, he committed himself to becoming a first-generation litigation practitioner. His passion for the practice and years of conditioning in the family business helped establish his deep and clear understanding of both law and business to become a specialist in white-collar crimes.

He spent his graduation years in the UK, studying Marketing from Regent’s University, London & Webster University, St. Louis, and on returning to India chose to study law from the Government Law College of Mumbai. Ayush has gained litigation experience while appearing in several courts and forums across India. His practice focuses on defense and he has been seen in action in significant cases like that of SFIO, Directorate of Enforcement, CBI and EOW.

Ayush

Adv Ayush Jindal does not let age or people’s perceptions define him as he strides forward to claim his place in the legal fraternity.

Adv

Jindal Society Young Achievers Award For Excellence In The Field Of Law

He is also the author of the book ‘Road to Bail: A Journey through the Bail Jurisprudence in GST Era’. The book gives a fresh as well as neutral perspective, making it as comprehensive as possible. With passion, conviction and determination, he keeps pushing forward, overcoming challenges and carving out his space in the legal realm.

Despite having a business and entrepreneurial family background, he committed himself to becoming a first-generation litigation practitioner.

On The Road For Change

Modern-day mystic, Sadhguru focuses on uplifting people and the environment through his various programmes.

By Amber Dias

Author, yogi and visionary, Sadhguru has been an influencer since before it became a trending term. His deep insights and power over self have inspired millions to find a way to live healthier and better. Through the Isha Foundation he has been teaching and mentoring, and offering spiritual guidance to people across the world.

The Isha Foundation works towards several social causes including rural rejuvenation projects, project GreenHands, Save Soil and Rally for Rivers, with the goal to nurture people and the environment. His unique outlook and conviction sets this motorcycle-riding mystic apart from his peers, and he has made his presence felt internationally. His commitment to uplifting people and the nation has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan.

Sadhguru

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements, Relentless Contribution To Social Development, Human Empowerment & Environmental Protection Through The Save Soil Movement

The award was accepted on Sadhguru’s behalf by entrepreneur Mitali Kakar

His deep insights and power over self have inspired millions to find a way to live healthier and better.

Noteworthy!

By Hannah Cardozo

Anand Narasimhan is a journalist and news anchor, and currently the Managing Editor, special projects, and senior anchor at CNN-News18. He writes extensively on Indian politics and sports. His career started out as a sports anchor for ESPN Star Sports from the year 2005 till 2007. From there, he went on to work at Ten Sports as a presenter until 2010. He then joined Times Network as a senior editor. His rise to fame started in 2018 when he became the deputy executive editor at CNN-News 18 in Noida, India.

He is the host of ‘The Right Standaway’, a show that attempts to veer away from clichés and tries to focus on people-centric events. In every episode, fundamental issues of India are debated. Anand Narasimhan plays a critical role in society, to inform people and to do it effectively.

His confidence, proficiency, and expertise are unmatched.

Journalist and news anchor Anand Narasimhan strides forward with confidence, finesse and the acumen that being a good newsman demands.

Society Achievers Award For Excellence In Media And Broadcast Intelligence

Anand Narasimhan

He is known for his straightforward and sharp demeanor, and has made his mark in the English news genre.

His rise to fame started in 2018 when he became the deputy executive editor at CNN-News 18 in Noida, India.

Legendary!

Actor, filmmaker, acting coach - Anupam Kher defines excellence with every endeavour.

By Hannah Cardozo

Legends aren’t born, they’re made, and if anyone is deserving of that title, it is the one and only Anupam Kher. In a long career featuring 532 films so far, the list of memorable performances goes on and on, not just in Bollywood but in international productions as well. ‘Saaransh’ and ‘Ram Lakhan’ were some of his most memorable performances in Bollywood. In international films such as ‘Bend It Like Beckham’, ‘Lust’, ‘Caution’ and ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, his performances were greatly acclaimed.

The accolades to his name are numerous and include two National Awards, two International Indian Film Awards, a Global Indian Film Award and a Critic’s Choice Award. His immense contribution to cinema and the arts has been recognised and honoured with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Awards. His inherent charm, poise and dedication to his craft come through in each of his performances, showing us his versatility as an actor.

Kher’s expertise is highly regarded and he was appointed as the Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India. Previously, he served as the Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification.

Anupam Kher

Game Changer Of The Year 2022 Award

He explored his literary side in 2011 when he released his first book ‘The Best Thing About You is You!’ which was a best-seller. He then went on to publish a biography called ‘Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly’ and ‘Your Best Day Is Today!’ based on his experiences with the COVID-19 crisis.

Thanks to his great body of work, it’s no wonder that the word “legendary” sits so well on him!

His inherent charm, poise and dedication to his craft come through in each of his performances, showing us his versatility as an actor.

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An Artistic Impression

Artist Reena Kallat

mesmerises her audience with her insightful work spanning drawing, photography, sculpture and video.

By Hannah Cardozo

Reena Kallat’s artwork has been capturing attention for some time now. Her work references history, collective memory and identity. ‘Lines of Control’ are a recurring element in her work. Her interest in political and social borders resonates with the continuing aftershocks of the Partition in India, which her family experienced. She researched various histories of migration, the plunder of shared natural resources for national gain, and archives of disappeared people, objects and monuments that have disappeared without a trace.

Her work using twisted electric cables is an acknowledgment of barbed wires, the barriers that divide us. She uses the paradox of the existence of technology for the free flow of information and restriction on movement to suggest that total isolation is not possible. Where there is contact, there is exchange and fusion.

Her artworks have been greatly appreciated and widely exhibited at museums like the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York; the Migros Museum of Contemporary Art in Zurich; Tate Modern in London; Mori Art Museum in Tokyo; Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul, and Oscar Niemeyer Museum in Curitiba, Brazil, amongst many others.

Reena Kallat is a lionized visual artist - her work is revered, introspective and shrewd. It calls people to look at human maladies and depravity.

Kallat

Reena

Society Achievers Award For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Art

Her interest in political and social borders resonates with the continuing aftershocks of the Partition in India, which her family experienced.

Unstoppable

Businessman turned film producer Murad Khetani knows how to give his audience what they want.

By Hannah Cardozo

Murad Khetani has not been in the Bollywood biz for long, but his keen eye for good content has brought him great success. He was a businessman with over 15 years of experience in the broadcast content space. In 2012, he started Cine1 Studios and made wonderful blockbusters like ‘Kabir Singh’ and ‘Mubarakan’ among others.

The first film he produced was the comedy thriller ‘Mickey Virus’. Since then, Cine1 Studios has gone on to produce several feature films, including popular films like ‘Notebook’, ‘Kabir Singh’ and ‘Satellite Shankar’. He is currently riding high on the success of his latest film ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ starring Kiara Advani and Kartik Aryan.

His efficiency in picking content that the masses genuinely want to watch is what he is known for. Furthermore, the buzz around town is that Cine1 Studios has a knack for producing the most entertaining content for its audience. The studio has seen back-to-back success in their projects and now has a schedule of possible hits in the upcoming year from Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Animal’, Aditya Roy Kapur and Mrunal Thakur’s ‘Gumrah’, and Tara Sutaria’s ‘Apurva’. Murad’s drive and vision have made him one of the leading producers in Bollywood.

Murad Khetani

Society Achievers Award For The Best Film Of The Year For ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’

His efficiency in picking content that the masses genuinely want to watch is what he is known for.

Redefining Green Energy

By Hannah Cardozo

Subodh Agarwal is a seasoned entrepreneur with years of experience under his belt. He has founded a multi-domain group with business interests in Emerging Technologies, Investment Banking, Commodities Trading, Natural Resources, Solar Energy, IT and more across the globe. He has participated in M&A transactions valued in excess of US$30 billion, particularly in the telecom, steel, oil and gas, and mining sectors.

Entrepreneur Subodh Agarwal has been a pioneer in the sustainable energy realm and is striving for a greener world.

Subodh Agarwal

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Innovation In Sustainable Energy

He is the Founder and Chairman of Euromax Capital. He was the pioneer of LNG in India, and created the most unique, AI-enabled, multifactor, multimodal, self-service, biometric identity authentication and transaction platform to assure security and convenience to users known as Biocube.

As goodwill ambassador and spokesperson for the SecretaryGeneral for IIMSAM, an intergovernmental institution under the charter of the United Nations, today, he has built a multi-domain group with business interests in commodities, natural resources, and solar generation among others. He is passionate about protecting the environment and driving the movement towards adopting sustainable energy.

Agarwal uses his position as a prominent business leader to open up conversations about the energy crisis, the need for solar energy, and how it can shape the future of our country. He brings a rare earthy touch to every project he works on, and has consistently demonstrated strong leadership abilities.

He is the goodwill ambassador and spokesperson for the SecretaryGeneral for IIMSAM, an intergovernmental institution under the charter of the United Nations.

The Maestro

Vocalist Talaz Aziz continues to mesmerise audiences with his music.

By Hannah Cardozo

Talat Aziz is known for his soul-stirring ghazals. He released his first album in 1980 and has been performing for over four decades. His passion for promoting the ancient music form of ghazals is truly commendable. His family’s love for organizing mehfils at their home, and inviting artistes and poets over, is what inspired him and he began learning music at a young age.

Aziz has lent his voice to many a film soundtrack which has been received with great enthusiasm. He has been lauded for his soulful performances and proficiency across various music styles and genres. In February 2016, he released a ghazal single titled ‘Wo Shaam’ - the first digital ghazal audio and video release. The video was seen by over 6,00,000 people in a timeframe of just two weeks through social media. His voice is so dulcet and cherished that he has performed concerts all over the globe for his extensive fan base.

Talat Aziz

Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Indian Music

Though his musical roots remain strong, Talat Aziz has also proven his merit as an actor, taking on roles in films and television. He has been recognised for his vast contribution to the Indian music industry. He is truly a living legend of Indian music

His passion for promoting the ancient music form of ghazals is truly commendable.

Master Wordsmith

Journalist, author and screenwriter Meghna Pant is a whiz at penning stories with heart.

By Hannah Cardozo

They say the pen is mightier than the sword, and in Meghna Pant’s hands, it has undoubtedly proven to be a masterful weapon. This fierce and resolute author is an advocate for women’s rights and does not let anything drown out her voice. She began her career as a TV anchor but walked away to pursue her love for writing.

After three years of curating a monthly panel discussion in Mumbai called ‘Feminist Rani’, featuring interviews with a wide range of Indian feminists, she published a collection of the interviews in her first non-fiction book ‘Feminist Rani’. Her writing explores issues like consent, rape, domestic violence, miscarriage, surrogacy, body shaming, and public safety. In 2018, she was awarded the Laadli Media Award for her writing on gender equality.

Meghna Pant is a fierce and resolute advocate for women. As a survivor of domestic violence, she uses her voice to empower women to speak out against domestic violence.

Her work has been deeply appreciated and recognised for its contribution to literature, gender issues and journalism. Her debut novel ‘One-and-a-Half Wife’ won the Muse India National Literary Awards Young Writer Award and was shortlisted for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel. Her other works include ‘The Terrible Horrible Very Bad Good News’, ‘The Trouble With Women’ and ‘Boys Don’t Cry’.

Meghna Pant

Society Achievers Award For Excellence In The Field Of Literary Arts

She uses her voice to empower women to speak out against domestic violence.

Mastermind

Director, producer and writer Anees Bazmee is a

master of comedic timing.

By Hannah Cardozo

Anees Bazmee is no small player in Bollywood. He has been the creative force behind some of the highestgrossing films and has a knack for nailing comedic elements that make a truly entertaining film. He accredits his passion for lyrics and poetry to his father. At the mere age of 13, he followed his dreams of being a filmmaker and landed in the city of Mumbai. After working as an art director, editing and sound recordist, and assistant writer, he finally made his debut as a screenplay writer in 1990 for the film ‘Swarg’ starring Rajesh Khanna and Govinda. The movie turned out to be a box office hit and thrust him into the mix of sought-after writers.

But his dreams went beyond writing and after years of longing, his dreams finally came to pass when he made his directorial debut in 1995 with the hit film ‘Hulchul’. Since then, he has directed many successes like ‘Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha’, ‘Welcome’, ‘Singh is King’, and ‘Ready’. His latest film ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ is a good example of his creative perspective, sense of rhythm, and insight into what makes a fun film.

In his expansive career journeying over three decades, his immense contribution to cinema - be it as producer, director, or writer - is well recognized and lauded.

Anees Bazmee

Society Achievers Award For Best Film Director Of The Year‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’

In his expansive career journeying over three decades, his immense contribution to cinema - be it as producer, director, or writer - is well recognized and lauded.

He has been the creative force behind some of the highest-grossing films and has a knack for nailing comedic elements that make a truly entertaining film.

The Innovator

Philanthropist and humanitarian Jagadeesh Babu Yalamanchili used his skills to help simplify blood donation with an app.

By Hannah Cardozo

Jagadeesh Babu Yalamanchili has a big heart and is the driving force behind ‘UBlood’- an innovative app that helps simplify blood donation and save millions of lives.

Essentially, the app helps simplify blood donation by connecting the donor and receiver in real-time, within minutes, based on geographic proximity. As citizens of the country frantically looked for blood and plasma donation during the height of the pandemic, Jagadeesh Babu - with the support of actor Sonu Sood - developed this app. The inception of the app was fueled by a sincere desire to give back to society.

His commitment to giving back saw him playing a crucial role during the pandemic, distributing necessities to those most in need. The app is meant to ease the lives of citizens all over the country as well as the medical staff. He continues to lead from the front, engaging in several social welfare projects to uplift and empower people.

Jagadeesh Babu Yalamanchili

Society Achievers Award For Outstanding Humanitarian Achievements And Contribution To Philanthropy

His commitment to giving back saw him playing a crucial role during the pandemic, distributing necessities to those most in need.

The app helps simplify blood donation by connecting the donor and receiver in real-time, within minutes, based on geographic proximity.

Making Waves

Bhushan

By Amber Dias

From music to films, producer and Managing Director of T-Series, Bhushan Kumar, does not shy away from putting his best foot forward with every project and shows us what it means to excel. T-Series has brought us some of the most memorable Bollywood foot tappers.

His turn as a film producer has been a remarkable one, belting out films that have captured hearts and earned him welldeserved recognition. Adding to the list of accolades, he recently scooped up the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for ‘Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior’ and Best Hindi Film for ‘Toolsidas Junior’. His devotion, ingenuity, and contemporary ideas make him a force to reckon with.

Kumar, Managing Director, T-Series, has been the force behind some of movie lovers’ favourite beats and films.

Bhushan Kumar Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Indian Entertainment

He is an entertainment business leader for making T-Series the largest music company and one of the biggest production houses in India. As well as the biggest channel on YouTube. He is also big on philanthropy and has been at the forefront of many causes in connection with safeguarding society, with the vaccination drive held during the pandemic being just one of them.

Accolades and applause are coming in droves for him… all richly deserved!

His turn as a film producer has been a remarkable one, belting out films that have captured hearts and earned him welldeserved recognition.

He is also big on philanthropy and has been at the forefront of many causes in connection with safeguarding society.

Storyteller

Journalist, biographer and short film maker

Ram Kamal Mukherjee follows his passions wherever they

may lead.

By Hannah Cardozo

Ram Kamal Mukherjee has walked many paths, but his love of films has always shone through. Formerly the editor-in-chief of ‘Stardust’, he turned biographer with his book that narrates the story of beloved Bollywood diva, Hema Malini. The book also launched him as India’s youngest Bollywood biographer at 27. Since then, he has penned the stories of Bollywood favourites Sanjay Dutt in ‘One Man, Many Lives’, and Mithun Chakraborty in ‘The Dada of Bollywood’. His column ‘Ram Katha’ in ‘Mumbai Mirror’ established him as a noted journalist and film critic. He brings with him almost 21 years of experience in film journalism. His exceptional insight leaves an imprint everywhere he goes.

Ram Kamal Mukherjee Society Achievers Award For Best Biographer And Short Film Maker

Tenacious and determined, Ram made his debut as a filmmaker with ‘Cakewalk’ starring Esha Deol. Followed by ‘Season’s Greetings’, a tribute to Rituparno Ghosh which fetched him national and international accolades. His film ‘Rickshawala’ — based on the rickshaw pullers of Kolkata — won the Best Human Rights Film at Cardiff International Film Festival in 2021. He is eloquent and his dexterity in filmmaking is commendable. He is regarded as one of the best Indian short film makers.

Ram

has almost 21 years of experience in film journalism, and his exceptional insight leaves an imprint everywhere he goes.

Medical Maestro

Surgeon

and gastroenterologist, the late Dr Tehemton Udwadia, transformed his field with his skill and expertise.

By Hannah Cardozo

Dr Tehemton Udwadia Pride Of India Honour For Outstanding Achievements And Contribution To Medicine

The late Dr Tehemton Erach Udwadia was known as the Father of Laparoscopic Surgery in India. He was a general surgeon at two Mumbai hospitals - Breach Candy and Hinduja. He was also the Founder and President of the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo-Surgeons. Dr Udwadia was greatly admired in medical circles across India and the globe. Coming from a family of established doctors, he created his own path and developed the minimally invasive technique of laparoscopic surgery. His work in laparoscopy reduced risk - from general to local anesthesia, reduced blood loss, quickened recovery time for major surgeries, and cost far less.

In his book ‘More Than Just Surgery’, he wrote about the importance of being a good human being to succeed in surgery. Dr Udwadia could have chosen the best clients who would pay him heavily; instead, he chose to work with rural doctors as he admired how they handle everything with no resources for specifications. He wanted to give them access to the best tools.

Dr Tehemton Udwadia was awarded the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2006, and 2017 respectively, for his contribution to Indian medicine. Humble and integrous, Dr Udwadia was truly a master of his craft.

Known as the Father of Laparoscopic Surgery in India, Dr Tehemton Udwadia was greatly admired in medical circles across India and the globe. He was awarded the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

The Nightingale

‘Society Achievers’ pays tribute to India’s most legendary singer.

By Hannah Cardozo

The Empress of Music, the timeless, worshipped icon, Lata Mangeshkarji was a playback singer in Indian movies for over six decades. She recorded over 30,000 songs in 14 Indian languages, and even foreign languages like Indonesian, Russian and Swahili, making her the most-recorded voice in history. She received the highest civilian honour in not just one but two countries — the Bharat Ratna in India and the National Order of the Legion of Honour in France.

In 1974, the Guinness Book of Records listed Lata Mangeshkar as the most recorded artiste in human history, stating that she had recorded ‘not less than 25,000 solo, duet and chorus backed songs in 20 Indian languages’ between 1948 and 1974. She had a God-given musical gift and could master vocal exercises for the first time even at a young age. When she entered the industry, her high-pitched singing was not appreciated over the nasal voices of the day; however, she soon overtook them and transformed playback singing forever. Her voice was so versatile that music composers finally felt that they could be creative and experiment.

Throughout her time in the industry, she gained reputable titles such as ‘The Nightingale of India’, ‘Voice of the Millennium,’ and ‘Queen of Melody’. Despite Lata Mangeshkar wanting new artistes to rise, her timeless voice cannot be replaced. She will forever be a true icon.

Lata Mangeshkar

The award was accepted by her sister Meena Khadikar

Special Tribute

She received the highest civilian honour in not just one but two countries — the Bharat Ratna in India and the National Order of the Legion of Honour in France.

Celebrating The Spirit Of Excellence

Achievers’

The 20th edition of the Society Achievers Awards, hosted by ‘Society Achievers’ magazine at the fabulous Taj Santacruz, Mumbai, was dedicated to men and women who continuously push boundaries in their respective fields. National leaders, business mavericks, humanitarian champions, renowned artists, powerhouse celebrities and more stepped out in their very best as the magazine honoured legends and achievers across a plethora of fields for their daring, determination and drive to not just succeed, but excel.

Presiding over the event as the chief guests were the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and the Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis. The duo flagged off the presentation of awards with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp alongside media magnate Nari Hira, Amruta Fadnavis, Andrea CostaBir, Editor, ‘Society Achievers’, Ashok Dhamankar, Shivendra Parihar, Sunil Khavnekar and Preeta Nair from ‘Society Achievers’.

‘Society

honoured legends, go-getters and stalwarts at the Society Achievers Awards.

The Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and the Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis presided over the event as chief guests.

‘Society Achievers’ honoured legends and achievers across various fields for their daring, determination and drive to excel.

The hosts for the evening, the vivacious Simran Ahuja and the dashing Sachin Khurana, then took the stage to proceed with the presentation ceremony. This illustrious list of dignitaries celebrated at the event were Kumar Mangalam Birla, Gautam Singhania, Hema Malini, Anupam Kher, Amruta Fadnavis, Neerja Birla, Nyrika Holkar, Sidharth Malhotra, Farah Khan, Sonu Sood, Madhur Bhandarkar, Rohit Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, Talat Aziz, Anand Narasimhan, Dilip Vengsarkar, Reena Kallat, Meghna Pant, Subodh Agarwal, Preity Baney, Murad Khetani, Anees Bazmee, Adv Aashuutosh Srivastava, Dr Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi, Dr Nandita Palshetkar, Dr Ajeenkya Patil, Dr Saurabh Gadgil, Adv Ayush Jindal, Neeti Goel, Usha Kakade, Tejas Labshetwar, Deepak Mane, Dr Tehemton Udwadia, Ram Kamal Mukherjee, Jagdish Babu, Tai Nikio, Rohini Iyer, Kishore Agarwal, Savita Chhabra, Shreegopal Kabra and Kartik Aryan.

Mitali Kakar accepted the award on behalf of Sadhguru who was unable to attend, but sent his wishes to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and the guests for the evening via video.

Meena Khadikar accepted the tribute to her sister Lata Mangeshkar.

The presentation ceremony was wrapped up with Nari Hira presenting the chief guests with a commemoration, honouring their achievements and their commitment to ushering Maharashtra into a new era. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister took a moment to address everyone present before they were joined by Nari Hira and Andrea CostaBir to unveil the cover of the ‘Society Achievers’ November 2022 issue, which the duo had graced.

Ceremonies complete, the guests let their hair down, relaxed, mingled and toasted an excellent evening!

Meena Khadikar accepted the tribute to her sister Lata Mangeshkar.

Amruta Fadnavis, Hema Malini, Gautam Singhania, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Sidharth Malhotra, Neerja Birla and Farah Khan were among those who took home honours.

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