The prestigious Devi Awards were instituted by The New Indian Express in 2014 and has since paid tribute to about 300 women achievers from across the country in the preceding 28 editions.
Twelve trailblazing women — from a serial entrepreneur to a handloom revivalist to an Olympian to an inclusive activist — who have made an impact and transcended boundaries, were bestowed with the prestigious Devi Awards by The New Indian Express at the 29th edition of the awards ceremony here on Saturday evening.
After nine years, the Devi Awards event was back in Bengaluru to celebrate the accomplishments of the distinguished women at a gala event graced by the glitterati.
The awardees were two-time Olympian Anju Bobby George; theatre exponent Arundhati Nag who founded the popular Rangashankara; Nimhans Director Dr Pratima Murthy; serial entrepreneur Meena Ganesh; author Samhita Arni; founder of Mitti Cafe Alina Alam; educationist Kavita Gupta Sabharwal; handloom revivalist Pavithra Muddaya; founding director of Science Gallery Bengaluru Jahnavi Phalkey; classical dancer Nirupama Rajendra; researcher Dr Vatsala Thirumalai and designer Sonali Sattar, who started Grasshopper.
The prestigious Devi Awards were instituted in New Delhi in December 2014, and has since paid tribute to about 300 women achievers from across the country in the preceding 28 editions.
Co-founder and former CEO and MD of IT giant Infosys SD Shibulal, who presented the awards, was all praise for The New Indian Express Group. “I am particularly happy to share this stage with The New Indian Express Group, an organisation that has consistently amplified the voices of trailblazing women across India,” he remarked.
“Devi Awards are a testament to the unwavering commitment to spotlight extraordinary women who exemplify dynamism and innovation. By recognising and celebrating women’s contributions through platforms like the Devi Awards, we are not just honouring their work but also reinforcing the belief that the future belongs to those who dare to lead, innovate, and inspire. Throughout history and across the globe, women have demonstrated an exemplary ability to lead in ways that transform not only enterprises but entire economies and societies,” he said.
He pointed out that studies have ascertained the truth that companies with greater gender diversity outperform their peers across key verticals such as innovation, productivity and profitability. “In my own journey, I first witnessed a unique and holistic approach to leadership in my mother who began working at the age of 20,” he recalled. Apart from his mother, an employee with the excise department, Shibulal holds his wife Kumari and daughter Shruti as role models who have struck a balance with professional and personal lives… “each of whom seems to so intuitively carry the truly inspiring quality of combining innovation and leadership with empathy”.
“This particular quality — rare and essential — is shared by each of the women we are recognising here today. It is a quality rooted in knowing that success is not solitary, it is not personal, it cannot be measured by a single metric, and it does not exist in isolation,” he elaborated.
“Women in leadership approach their own success as the success of those around them — their families, communities, and countries. When women succeed, they make sure to take the rest of us with them. We cannot acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the women here today without recognising that they have done so despite a largely unequal playing field. The barriers that continue to curb opportunities and growth of women need to be broken. And much work remains to be done,” he said.
“While partly accomplished by corporate policies, legislation and external factors, the glass ceiling will most thoroughly and permanently shatter when we begin to shift mindsets. A mindset that compels society to educate, encourage and enable women to lead boldly and unapologetically,” he said.
He hoped that the women honoured with Devi Awards pull others up along with them, building a stronger, more resilient India. When women thrive, societies flourish, he added.
“As a strong believer in women empowerment, I heartily congratulate the 12 achievers and wish them the best to continue their relentless work, which will inspire other women,” remarked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his message.
The event also featured a roundtable with Devis titled ‘Leading Change: What’s the Superpower?’ Arundhati Nag, Kavita Gupta Sabharwal, Samhita Arni and Jahnavi Phalkey were part of the engaging conversation on varied issues.
TNIE CMD Manoj Kumar Sonthalia, Editorial Director of The New Indian Express Prabhu Chawla, Group CEO Lakshmi Menon and Editor Santwana Bhattacharya were present. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and City Police Commissioner B Dayananda were among the audience.
Noted author Kaveree Bamzai moderated the session, including the candid interaction with the awardees.
source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)