Ahmedabad: Reinforcing the critical role of women in driving grassroots transformation and inclusive development, Dream Foundation hosted the inaugural Shakti – The Spirit of Empowerment Awards 2026 at the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA), recognising 11 women for their significant social impact across diverse sectors.
The initiative is positioned as a platform to celebrate women who are not only excelling professionally but are also contributing meaningfully to community development, social equity, and sustainable change. The awards highlight stories of resilience, leadership, and purpose—underscoring how individual efforts can translate into collective progress.
The ceremony was attended by eminent dignitaries including Vaishnavacharya Pujya Yadunath Mahodaya, noted speaker Rekhaben Desai, senior gynaecologist Dr. Leena Patel, educationist Dr. Geetika Saluja, and Wing Commander Abhishek Tiwari, reflecting a shared commitment across sectors towards empowering communities through women-led initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Nirav J. Shah, Founder, Dream Foundation, emphasised the Foundation’s mission to create scalable and sustainable impact. “Social progress is deeply interconnected with women empowerment. The Shakti Awards are an effort to recognise individuals who are creating real change at the grassroots level—whether through education, healthcare, cultural preservation, or innovation. These women are not just achievers; they are enablers of transformation,” he stated.
Recognising Changemakers Across Domains
The Shakti Awards 2026 honoured individuals whose work has directly contributed to improving lives and strengthening communities:
- Sonali Mohanty – HR & Soft Skills Development Excellence
- Dr. Mitali Vasavada – Healthcare Excellence
- Lipi Goyal – Voice & Performing Arts
- Happy Rabari & Lucky Rabari – Cultural Heritage & Folk Art
- Birva Mehta – Social Impact
- Dhairya Rathod – Media & Journalism Excellence
- Swati Panchal – Finance & Startup Ecosystem Leadership
- Maya Joshi – Education Excellence
- Anjali Kothari – Wellness Coaching
- Khushboo Vaidya – EdTech Startup & Innovation Excellence
Each awardee represents a unique pathway to impact—ranging from empowering individuals through education and skill development to preserving cultural identity and advancing health and wellness in society.
Building a Sustainable Impact Ecosystem
The 2026 edition also coincides with the completion of two years of Dream Foundation’s operations. During this period, the organisation has focused on key pillars such as education access, healthcare support, self-reliance, and women empowerment.
Its flagship initiative, “Pasti Se Padhai Tak,” continues to address educational inequality by enabling access to learning resources for underserved communities—creating long-term pathways for socio-economic mobility.
The event witnessed participation from volunteers, partners, donors, and community stakeholders, reflecting a collaborative approach to social development.
Towards a More Inclusive Future
As India continues to prioritise inclusive and sustainable growth, initiatives like the Shakti Awards play a vital role in amplifying voices that are driving change at the grassroots level. By recognising and encouraging such efforts, Dream Foundation aims to inspire a broader movement where women-led impact becomes a cornerstone of societal progress.
