THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Dear all,
We are pleased to announce advance details for the 2026 AANA Awards, to be presented at the upcoming AANA Annual Retreat.
Ambedkar Association of North America (AANA) is proud to announce the recipients of its prestigious awards for 2026, recognizing outstanding contributions in the fields of social justice, civil rights advocacy, and journalism. The awards will be presented at the AANA Annual Retreat on May 23, 2026, in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, USA.
Dr. Ambedkar International Award 2026
Recipient: Prof. Atul Bhosekar
Atul Bhosekar is an independent researcher, educator, and activist in Buddhist archaeology, known for his work on Maharashtra’s rock-cut Buddhist caves, especially the Trirashmi (Pandavleni) caves in Nashik. Originally trained in Physics, he later specialized in Brahmi scripts, Pali language, and Buddhist epigraphy. He is the Founder and Director of Trirashmi Research Institute of Buddhist, Indic Languages and Scripts (TRIBILS), which promotes awareness of Buddhist heritage through research, teaching, and field workshops.
Savitrimai Phule International Award 2026
Recipient: Ms Swati Sawant
Swati Sawant is an immigration lawyer and civil rights advocate based in New York and New Jersey, recognized for her dedicated work in immigration law, human trafficking, workplace caste equity, and civil rights advocacy. She played a significant role in major human rights and labor justice cases, including the BAPS Temple forced- labor lawsuit and the Sahib Restaurant caste-discrimination case in New York.
Through her legal advocacy, leadership, and service as Program Director at the International Commission for Dalit Rights (ICDR), she has made meaningful contributions toward justice, equity, and the protection of marginalized communities.
Mooknayak Excellency in Journalism Award 2026
Recipient: Ambedkarite People’s Voice
AANA initiated the Mooknayak Journalism Award in 2020 to mark the centenary of Dr. Ambedkar’s historic publication Mooknayak. Excellence in Journalism Award recognizes outstanding contributions to journalism that uphold the values of social justice, equality, and democratic representation.
The 2026 award will be conferred upon Ambedkarite People’s Voice (APV News) in recognition of its impactful contribution to independent digital journalism and its unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities across India.
With a reach of more than 1.3 million YouTube subscribers, APV News has emerged as a powerful platform for social justice, political awareness, and social equality. The platform has consistently highlighted issues concerning Dalit, Bahujan, and other underrepresented communities, bringing critical grassroots narratives into the national conversation.
Award Ceremony Details:
Location: Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, USA
Date: May 23, 2026
Presenter: AANA Board Member
These awards affirm AANA’s commitment to honoring individuals and organizations who continue to advance the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Savitrimai Phule, and other pioneers of social reform.
