Glitz, glamour, and a heartwarming celebration of excellence filled the air as Afternoon Voice, rolled out the red carpet for its 16th Newsmakers Achievers Award on May 1, 2024. The grand event, held at a prestigious venue in Mumbai, brought together a galaxy of stars and stalwarts from diverse domains.
Amidst the aura of anticipation, Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis, a beacon of social change, graced the occasion as the chief guest and received the esteemed Best Social Entrepreneur award. In her heartfelt address, Mrs. Fadnavis expressed her gratitude for the recognition and emphasised the importance of uplifting those who strive to make a positive impact on society.
The event also saw the spotlight shining bright on distinguished guests, including His Excellency Mr. Harjinder Kang, His Excellency Mr. Satinder Pal Ahuja, and His Excellency Mr. Kobbi Shoshani, who were lauded for their efforts in fostering global harmony and understanding.
Vaidehi Taman, Editor-in-Chief of Afternoon Voice, emphasised the importance of recognising deserving individuals without succumbing to commercial pressures. “I want to fight the commercialization of awards; I want to genuinely appreciate all deserving people with unconditional love,” said Taman.
The event also witnessed the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement awards to eminent personalities in their respective fields:
Padma Shri Dr. Puru Dadheech – Kathak Dancer and Choreographer
Padma Shri Darshana Jhaveri – Classical Manipuri Dancer
KC Bokadia – Film Director and Writer
Salma Aagha – Best Women and Child Activist
In the entertainment category, notable achievers who were honoured include:
Adah Sharma – Best Film Actress
Deepak Tijori – Best Versatile Actor
Madhoo Shah – Best Versatile Actress
Heena D’Souza – Best Film Director
Rasika Aghashe – Best Theatre Personality
Shirish Joshi – Best Whistling Musician
Araham Sawant – Best Ad Film Actor
Recognising outstanding contributions in the social sector, the following individuals were awarded:
Dr. Tatyasaheb Lahane – Best Doctor and Surgeon
Nitu Joshi – Best Social Worker
Mangesh Chivate – Best Working Officer on Special Duty (OSD)
Jitendra Pardeshi – Best Performing Officer
Dr. Nia Padmapani – Best Doctor (Transgender)
Arjun Deshpande – Best Entrepreneur
In the political category, the awards were conferred upon:
Dharmaraobaba Atram – Best People’s Leader
Preeti Sharma Menon – Best Working Politician
The media category saw the recognition of the following achievers:
Dr. Uday Nirgudkar – Best Anchor
Shriram Shinde – Best Journalist
The 16th Newsmakers Achievers Award was a testament to Afternoon Voice’s commitment to honouring individuals who are making significant contributions to society and inspiring positive change.
