IIW SHE INSPIRES AWARDS 2020 – RECOGNISING UNSUNG SHEROES
To celebrate the International Women’s Day, Inspiring Indian Women (IIW) hosted the She Inspires award 2020 along with Honourable MP Padmashree Mr Bob Blackman and Honourable MP Ms Joy Morrisey and Honourable MP Virendra Sharma. This award is created to empower and encourage Indian women living in the UK organised an Awards evening at the iconic House of Parliament on 3rd March 2020 to acknowledge the contributions of ordinary women on International Women’s Day. Organised in the Committee Room 14 at the House of Commons, winners were chosen through nominations and self-nominations from women across the globe. The short-listed finalists were all given a certificate of honour.
Several dignitaries graced as Guests of honour: From the High Commission of India in UK Ms Vishakha Yaduvanshi– First Secretary/ Special Advisor to the High Commissioner, Padmashree Kalpana Saroj , Bollywood Singer Ms Hamsika Iyer , Dr Mattur Nandakumara Executive Director, Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Dr Arpita Ray Obstetrician, Gynaecologist Lead Clinician, Bourn Hall, Colchester, Purnima Rawal Former PC, the first Hindu longest serving woman in the Met Police, Ms Sue Curr -Mental Wellbeing Mindset & NLP Practitioner, Imambay Kamara -Global humanitarian ambassador, Founder and president of Disabled International Foundation. Ms Arunima Kumar– Artistic Director Arunima Kumar Dance Company, Ustad Bismillah Khan award for Kuchipudi, Mr Rajesh Vanzara – High Profile Lawyer from India and well connected to Bollywood/ Entertainment Industry, Mr.M.K.Gore Managing Director Of Kamani Tubes Ltd. Also present were Preeti Puja Kashyap from Prime Communication publications Delhi, Dr Neha Sharma, Bengali Actress Sraboni Chatterjee, TV Actress Rashmi Sachdeva.
Others amongst the judges were Ms Trupti Patel, a graduate in Civil Engineering, the first woman to become the Hindu Faith representative and Trustee to the Interfaith Network UK, Ms Krishna Pujara , CEO of Saheli & President of UK India Business Council of WICCI (Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Lakshmi Kaul, Head & Representative, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) UK and Director – Nainika Tikoo Memorial Trust , Dr Seema Anand – Mythologist, practising storyteller and Doctor of narrative practices, Jane Frankland, CEO of Cyber Security Capital, an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author and change agent.
The award invited free nominations from women all over the world. It had 13 categories and went through two stages. Preliminary round had 24 judges who shortlisted 50 finalists. The finalists were then sent to various 12 prominent individuals who had contributed or had remarkable achievement in that field. Each judge got one category to choose one winner from that category. It was not an easy decision as one of the Judges Ms Mira Kaushik OBE Award winning strategist/cultural leader, Former Director – Akademi said, “This time, It has been extremely challenging to decide as each of them has excelled in a variety of contexts and none of them is less valid than others. I also would like to acknowledge the struggles of each of the artists and applaud them for their achievements. I believe each of them is a winner, having reached this stage of their career”.
The event also witnessed the launch of ‘She Inspires 2020, Souvenir Magazine’ as well as a Coffee Table Book, ‘Bharat ki Lakshmi’ by the Beauty and the Best Magazine.
Rashmi Mishra, the Director of IIW, says “The journey for She Inspires has just begun. It’s only our third year, and we have engaged hundreds of women globally. But there are still many more who deserve that recognition, the special mention, the honour for being selfless, daring and challenging their odds to become inspirations for those around them.”
Purvi Thakkar, the Deputy Director for She Inspires Awards says, “I dream to live in a world full of happy and smiling hearts. She Inspires is a fantastic platform for women across all walks of life from any region”.
Below is the list of winners for She Inspires Awards 2020
Bright Artist (Art, Music, Drama, Media, Creative, age 3-20)
- Pehrr Ramrakhyani
- Charvi Jain
- Gia Soni
- Varshini Bharadwaj
- Yaesha Patel
- Kyna Bedi
- Ishwari Pandey
- Best Entrepreneur – Mallika Murali
- Best Professional – Naina Bhattacharya
- Bright Artist (age 40+) – Sunita Khedekar
- Bright Artist (21-40) – Shruti Chatur Lal Sharma
- Defied the Odds (Spirited Fighter): Monika Bhudia – Joint winner
- Defied the Odds (Spirited Fighter): Shruti Yadav – Joint winner
- Differently Abled Rising Star – Payal Trivedi – Joint winner
- Differently Abled Rising Star -Sheenal Patel – Joint winner
- IIW Beauty with Brains – Dr Sribhavani Rakesh
- Welfare or Social Worker (Determined to help the community) – Anuradha Pooran – Joint winner
- Welfare or Social Worker (Determined to help the community) –
- Lena Chauhan – Joint winner
- Wonderful Homemaker – Priya Prabhu
- Outstanding Educational Role Model – Monika Gupta:
- Popular Choice Award – Dr Sridevi Rajasekaran
- Special Mom – Muthuvadivu Yalmuruganathan
Dharma Dubey Awards – (Special awards. In loving memory of Rashmi Mishra’s Late Mother) (ONLY they who’s life an inspiration to follow or they are doing exemplary work for community, visible for all to see)
Ms Dayakaur Magan Chauhan: Presently 82 years old, she set up the first and the largest sari shop in London. In the late ’70s, being one of the first saree businesses in the Newham area, many local Asian families found a place to buy their outfits. The business also diversified to Belgium and Rotterdam for a while but had to refocus back to London due to the failing health of husband. Even with the hardships of a terminally ill husband, she strived harder and never ever made her kids feel alone. Recently they had to sell the sari shop due to a lot of constraints.
Ms Hamshika Iyer: Bollywood Singer & International Performer Hamshika Iyer – her late Father Shri.Balachandran, a Musicologist, has been her Guru. One of the finalists in TVS Saregama back in 1995, Hamshika has come a long way. Her most popular songs are, Shantanu Moitra Lullaby for Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s film Eklavya … “Chanda Re ‘’, Chamak Challo, Raabta. She is also an integral part of Electronic & Psychedelic Band Juno Reactor (who gave music for Matrix).
Ms Grace Pinto: Managing Director – Ryan International Group of Institutions
Over the decades, among the variety of personalities that have risen to prominence for their contribution in the field of education and social service, Madam Grace Pinto stands out as someone distinctively striking and seminal in her demonstration of commitment towards making a difference through her schools as a leader.
Ms Rita Abraham: Rita Abraham the Co-ordinator of Gopio International for Africa and served for four years as Chairperson of Women’s Council of Group of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO). She is also an Executive Member of Topoi South Africa and a patron of the performing arts.The founding president of the South African Women’s Forte and the vice president of the Catholic Women’s League, Ms Abraham continues to promote unity, understanding and peace throughout the Diaspora. Ms Abraham is regarded in her home city of Durban as a people’s champion.
Ms Parin Somani: Independent Academic Scholar & ACCA chartered accountant Director the International Association for the Study of Ginans Presenter/ writer All India radio station and Ahmedabad Doordarshan television Chairperson Jubilee Court (senior’s residential home), London, England Parin Somani is an accomplished academician and astute educational lecturer and motivational speaker with over 31 years of professional experience.
Ms Alamara Awan: CEO zabardast Butterflies ladies support group in November gave out 200 community Awards at the house of Parliament CEO London President also the President for British Pakistani women Association London community leaders award community charity event supported Kashmir school renovation disabled school’s charity Ambassador Southall London Ambassador
Ms Caroline Makaka: Multi-Award Winner Dr Caroline Makaka is the Founder/CEO of Ladies of All Nations International which compromises of Beautiful Survivors, Galaxy of Stars, Changing lives for the better, Cultural Leadership Exchange & Loani International Magazine.
Ms Minal Jaiswal: Her continuous effort to support the community despite the struggles that you have gone through in personal life is commendable. Her’s is an inspiring story to follow for all women to send a strong message that daughters can handle the responsibility of the family just like the sons in fact in many cases better than them and even after marriage the duties towards parents do not cease for women. She even delayed her marriage for to look after her late brother’s family. She manages IIL (Indians in London) organisation.
Ms Sita Latha: A brave fighter, Single mom of a daughter, going through dialysis 3 times in a week till she finds another donor!! Surviving on her father’s kidney donated to her at the age of 60!! A very strong Father-Daughter relationship!!
The buzz of happiness and giggles surrounding the atmosphere was infectious. The ceremony recognised Sheroes from 3 to 80. It left indelible memories in the heart of those who attended. Sanjayita Mehta, Bhanu Sistla and Sonal Sher were the hosts of the day. The historic largest hall of the Palace of Westminster where it was held was jam packed with few even standing out.
The message was loud and clear,
“I am a strong woman. I don’t sit around feeling sorry for myself, nor let people mistreat me. I don’t respond to people who dictate to me or try to bring me down. If I fall, I will rise even stronger because I am survivor/Fighter and not a victim. I am in control of my life and there is nothing I can’t achieve.”
Photographs Credit – Amarjeet (Ammy Phull) and C.K Naidu
