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The nation looks up to Delhi and Delhi looks up to its women. This has always been the norm in the capital city of India, setting the precedent for the rest of the country to follow suit. And it's time that we endeavour to remind the nation that Delhi may be known for several factors, but its women and their remarkable achievements are what it should be known for the MOST. Hence, The New Indian Express is bringing Devi Awards back to Delhi. The media conglomerate had taken on the exemplary task of felicitating women a decade ago, and since then, this ceremony where we commemorate female energy, has been gaining more and more momentum. For its 30th edition, The New Indian Express' Devi Awards is back in Delhi and we are happy to inform you that our esteemed jury has chosen you as the winner of this prestigious distinction, the Devi Awards Delhi 2024, for your work in women empowerment.
Dr Jyoti Anand is a well-respected and accomplished social activist based in New Delhi, India. She has dedicated her life to serving the underprivileged and marginalised communities, especially children and women. Her NGO, Anand Organization for Social Development, has been providing free education to needy children for many years. Dr Anand has been recognised for her contributions to society with an honorary doctorate degree in the field of social work by Ballsbridge University. She has also been supported by Delhi Police.
In addition to providing education, Dr Anand has been actively involved in creating awareness among children about 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' to prevent child abuse. Over two lakh children have benefited from her efforts in this regard.
She has also been doing a great job in promoting women empowerment by providing basic hygiene knowledge and free sanitary napkins to females. Her unwavering dedication and commitment to improving the lives of the underprivileged are truly commendable.
Jyoti Bhatia completed her Bachelor of Architecture in 1989, and, in nine months, set up her own enterprise by designing a small 700-square-foot office for Tarom Airways in Connaught Place, New Delhi. This first project led to an invitation to a closed design competition for Air France’s Southeast Asia Head Office. She won the bid and thus began the journey of designing offices for various airlines, residences, and corporates, right from the age of 26.
Zelos Developers Private Limited was established by Jyoti in 1999 and the company started offering a large spectrum of services, with design being just one vertical. Very soon, Zelos had a footprint in all metropolitan and second-tier cities and it undertook Project Management Consultancy and other projects for many multinational companies. In 2015, the company entered the Government sector providing design and build services for various consulates in New Delhi such as the Consulate General for Canada in Chandigarh, residence of the Singapore High Commissioner and other works at the New Zealand High Commission, British High Commission, and the Canadian Ambassador’s residence.
The desire to create, appreciate other creations and imagine beyond boundaries is core to Zelos’s spirit.
SantishreeDhulipudi Pandit was appointed as the first woman and alumnus Vice-Chancellor of India’s top educational institution, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2022, lending a healing touch to a politically-charged environment. Her teaching and research career spans over three decades, beginning as a lecturer in Goa University and then moving on to the University of Pune. She has been a Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Pune, holding additional charge as Director, International Centre. Educated in Chennai at the Presidency College, she has been a topper and gold medallist, completing her MPhil and PhD in International Politics from the School of International Studies, JNU. She completed her post-doctorate in Peace and Conflict Studies from Uppsala University, Sweden. She has written four books and edited two, apart from publishing several research papers.
Manjari Chaturvedi, a leading exponent of classical dance in India, is an unusual dancer. She has blazed her own path in the field of performing arts. She has taken the traditional form of Kathak to a different level altogether and has created her own style, her own brand of dance. With over 500 concerts in 25 years, in more than 36 countries with 406 musicians, her work is vast. She has performed in Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia and Central Asia along with Australia and America. She is the founder of the concept of The Courtesan Project, which has become one of the most successful dance revival movements in today’s time, giving a voice to forgotten women and their creative contribution to theatre, cinema and the performing arts.
Dr N Kalaiselvi assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), in 2022. Dr Kalaiselvi is the first woman Director General of CSIR. Prior to taking over as Secretary, DSIR and DG, CSIR, she was working as Director, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Government Arts College, Tirunelveli, which is affiliated with Madurai Kamaraj University. She then completed her post graduation in Chemistry from Government Arts College, Coimbatore, and did her PhD at Annamalai University, Chidambaram. Dr Kalaiselvi's research work of more than 25 years is primarily focused on electrochemical power systems and, in particular, the development of electrode materials, custom-designed synthesis methods, optimisation of reaction parameters and electrochemical evaluation of in-house prepared electrode materials for their suitability in energy storage device assembly.
Dr Rashmi Saluja brings a multidisciplinary background to corporate leadership, holding advanced degrees, including an MBBS, MD, LLB, PhD, and an MBA in Finance. Since 2018, she has been the driving force behind the transformative journey of Religare Enterprises Limited. Dr Saluja has worked closely with an independent and experienced board to raise corporate governance standards, guiding the organisation through complex regulatory landscapes.
Her strategic approach has focused on preserving and enhancing stakeholder value while systematically rebuilding and revitalising the Religare Group during critical periods. Her medical background distinguishes her leadership style, seamlessly integrating healthcare principles of precision, compassion, and systematic problem-solving. This distinctive approach has been particularly effective in diagnosing and addressing complex organisational challenges.
Debjani Ghosh, a respected and transformative leader in the technology industry, serves as a Distinguished Fellow at NITI Aayog and the Chief Architect of the NITI Frontier Tech Hub — India's pioneering think tank dedicated to advancing the country’s readiness in frontier technologies to accelerate economic growth and societal development.
With a stellar career spanning over 28 years, including pivotal leadership roles at Intel and as the first female President of Nasscom, Debjani was at the forefront of driving India’s emergence as a global innovation powerhouse. A leading voice in AI, her leadership embodies a passionate commitment to fostering a human-centric approach to technology, ensuring that advances not only propel economic progress but also uplift societal well-being.
Gurmeet Rai is a conservation architect, heritage management specialist, permaculturist and educationist. She is the director of CRCI India, a premier organisation in India for heritage conservation and management (established in 1996). She was Vice-President of the International Committee on Monuments and Sites, India, an advisory body to UNESCO (2014-2020) and continues to be a member of the international and national committees of ICOMOS on Climate Change and Rights-Based Approaches for Heritage Management.
CRCI has over 30 years of experience working with natural and cultural heritage, including policy-making organisations, technical bodies, donor agencies such as UNESCO, ADB, World Bank, and World Monuments Fund (NY), as well as government bodies at the national, regional, and local levels. It has worked with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Ministry of Culture, Department of Tourism of state governments, local bodies, and also at the grassroots, specifically in villages.
Born into a business family and married to a naval officer, Meena Bindra was born and brought up in Delhi. In the early 80s, her desire to keep herself occupied in her free time and her keen interest in designing led to the humble beginning of BIBA from her residence in Mumbai. The brand gained popularity due to its beautiful handblock prints and styles and soon became the first choice for stylish cotton salwar kameez sets. Shortly after, Benzer Mumbai became the first exclusive store to stock designs by Meena Bindra. Her rise to success continued and strengthened with the addition of her son, Siddharath Bindra. The first BIBA store opened in Mumbai’s Inorbit Mall in Malad. Today, BIBA is one of the leading ethnic wear brands in the country. It has a pan-Indian presence and is spread across 160 cities with over 375 exclusive stores. BIBA is also available at multi-brand retail outlets like Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, and Pantaloons, as well as online partners like Myntra and Amazon.
Meeta Pandit is a leading and popular vocalist of Hindustani Classical Music. She has enthralled audiences both in India and in more than 25 countries. Meeta is a Top-Grade artist of All India Radio. She is the sixth in the unbroken lineage of legendary musicians of Gwalior Gharana. Meeta is a disciple of Padma Bhushan Pt Krishnarao Shankar Pandit and Pt Laxman Krishnarao Pandit and the first woman in the Pandit family to take up music professionally.
Prasar Bharati & Public Service Broadcasting Trust jointly made a film on her titled 'Meeta - Linking a Tradition with Today'. She went to France as Artist in Residence, invited by the French Government. Meeta is the recipient of many national awards and honours including Pt Kumar Gandharva Rashtriya Samman, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award - Bismillah Khan Award. She is the author of India’s Heritage of Gharana Music: Pandits of Gwalior.
Dr Aqsa Shaikh (she/her) is an out and proud transgender woman. She is one of India’s First Transgender Doctors who worked at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic response. She is a Professor of Community Medicine at Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. Aqsa is an academician and researcher working towards including the transgender and disability community in the healthcare sector. Aqsa is a vocal advocate for rights-based gender justice for transgender persons, for the inclusion of persons with disability and mental illnesses. She speaks, writes, and advocates for trans rights in India and globally. She is a TEDx speaker, a Josh Talks speaker, a poet, a short story writer, and a practitioner of the Theatre of Oppressed. Aqsa writes for various leading newspapers.
Shalini Passi is a Delhi-based art collector; a patron of art, design, and fashion; a philanthropist; and art and design advisor, and an artist. She has been on the Khoj Studios Advisory Board since 2012 and continues to serve as a longstanding patron of the annual Kochi-Muziris Biennale. She is the Founder of MASH, a digital platform that explores the intersection of architecture, art, craft, design, and fashion in an accessible and engaging format, and also founded and conceptualised the Shalini Passi Art Foundation. Her keen interest in the evolving vocabulary of contemporary art is predominantly translated into her practice as well. She has provided a platform for emerging talents with initiatives like the Young and Emerging Artists' Award. Furthering her commitment to philanthropic endeavours, in June 2023, Passi started her journey with UNICEF as a Champion for Children, advocating the rights of children and young adults striving to create a better future. Through initiatives like the MASH Ball, Shalini has harnessed collective energy to support programmes like art-based therapy and Early Childhood Development, empowering children to overcome challenges and realise their full potential.
Poonam Gupta is the Director General of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), India’s largest economic policy think tank; a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; and Convener of the Advisory Council to the 16th Finance Commission. She joined NCAER in 2021 after working in senior positions for nearly two decades at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Washington, DC. In between, Gupta taught at the Delhi School of Economics, University of Maryland (USA) and as a visiting faculty at ISI, Delhi. She has also been the RBI Chair Professor at NIPFP and a Professor at ICRIER. She is currently on the Boards of NIPFP and GDN (Global Development Network), a member of the World Bank’s advisory groups for Poverty & Equity and the World Development Report, a member of the Development Advisory Committee of NITI Aayog, and FICCI’s Executive Committee. She was the Chair of the Task Force on Macroeconomics and Trade during India’s G20 Presidency. At NCAER, Gupta leads the work on issues related to Economic Growth, International Financial Architecture, Central Banking, Macro Economic Stability, Public Debt, and State Finances.
Poonam Sharma is the main force behind the growth of the Accurate Institute into one of the premier management institutes in Delhi/NCR. A firm believer and follower of her own ethics, values, crafts, and principles, she moves selectively and meticulously along a pre-fixed, preset, well-planned, and defined path, ensuring hundred per cent achievement. She has pursued her MBA in International Business Management. With her gifted insights, leadership qualities and zeal to contribute to the development of India by making India a more knowledgeable society, she established Accurate Institute in the year 2006 as the Group Director. Within a very short span of four years, from 2006 to 2010, she has been able to expand the institution into a group of institutions; and now, other institutes, namely, Accurate Institute of Management and Technology with Engineering and Management courses, Accurate Institute of Architecture and Planning, Accurate Institute of Advance Management and Accurate Institute of Polytechnic have been established under her dynamic leadership, boosting the student strength from 300 to 4,500.
Chhaya Sharma is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the AGMUT Cadre, and currently holds the esteemed position of Special Commissioner of Police Training/PHQ in Delhi. Her career, spanning over two decades, is marked by a series of significant and impactful roles, including Joint Commissioner of Police for the Eastern Range in Delhi, Director at the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), and Deputy Inspector General at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India. Her service record includes postings in diverse regions such as Puducherry, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Delhi, where she has consistently addressed crime, maintained law and order, and upheld human rights. Chhaya Sharma’s career is distinguished by her unwavering victim-centric approach, particularly in handling serious crimes involving women and children. As the head of the Special Investigation Team in the Nirbhaya case, she meticulously supervised every aspect of the investigation, leading to the swift apprehension of the perpetrators. Her leadership and team-building capabilities have been pivotal in dismantling organized crime networks across her various postings.
Kalli Purie is the Vice-Chairperson of the India Today Group, recognised as the gold standard of journalism in India. She has been working with the India Today Group for more than two decades and has successfully held several important positions. Having been instrumental in the growth of the company, she has taken various strategic initiatives in both television and digital. She is hailed in the industry for her vision to synergise India Today Group's excellence in conventional journalism with the reach and innovations of digital and new media. A serial entrepreneur at heart, she brings rich experience in running a wide range of media properties from television channels, digital products and apps to championing world-class events and devising a social media strategy for the group. She has launched many innovative products of the company and is uniquely positioned to address India Today's integrated foray into the new media landscape. Her unified leadership in television, digital and events is the cornerstone for the success of synergy in the group.
Upasana Taku is the chairperson of the MobiKwik Board and the Executive Director, Co-Founder and CFO of the MobiKwik Group. She co-founded MobiKwik with a vision to transform the digital financial services and payments landscape in India. Upasana holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Punjab Technical University and a Master's degree in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University. She has 18+ years of experience in product, payments, and financial services. Prior to her entrepreneurial journey, she worked as a Product Manager at PayPal, San Jose, in the Financial Services, Global Payments and Risk divisions. Upasana has been featured amongst the top 15 richest self-made women in India in the Kotak Hurun Leading Wealthy Women List 2020 and 2021. In 2018, she was felicitated by the President of India as the first woman to lead a payments start-up. In 2019, she was featured in the top 25 accomplished women shaping Asia's business landscape in Forbes Asia's Power Businesswomen list.
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