The 17th edition of the Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2025, presented by Afternoon Voice, is set to take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Rangswar, Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium, Nariman Point, Mumbai, from 6:00 PM onwards. The annual event recognises individuals from diverse fields who have made significant contributions to society through their exceptional work and leadership.
This year’s ceremony will witness the presence of Shri Ram Lal Ji, Akhil Bharatiya Sampark Pramukh of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), as the Chief Guest, and Shri Uday Samant, Minister for Industries & Marathi Language, Government of Maharashtra, as the Guest of Honour.
Among the most anticipated highlights of the evening are the Lifetime Achievement Awards, which will be presented to:
- Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar, renowned music composer and singer
- J. V. Pawar, veteran Dalit Panther and literary icon
- Smita Jayakar, acclaimed film and television actress
- Anu Agarwal, former actress and wellness advocate
- Zilla Bai Vasave, tribal reformer and social worker
Other prominent awardees include Ranjit Savarkar (Best Author), Sandeep Tamgadge (IPS) (Best IPS Officer), Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar (IAS) (Best IAS Officer), Col. Prabhat Sood (Retd.) (Defence Services Contribution), Ananth Mahadevan (Best Film Director), Prashant Damle (Best Theatre Artist), Dinesh Vijan (Best Film Producer), and H.E. Mr Sven Ostberg, Consul General of Sweden in Mumbai.
The event will also confer Special Jury Awards to Dr Nandita Pathak, a noted social entrepreneur, and Maya Rambahadur Lama for her exemplary work in the social sector.
In addition to the names mentioned above, many more awardees from diverse sectors, including journalism, public service, politics, healthcare, arts, business, and social reform, will also be felicitated.
Organised annually by Afternoon Voice, Mumbai’s leading English daily, the Newsmakers Achievers Awards is a one-of-a-kind platform that honours unsung heroes and celebrated personalities alike. A self-funded parallel media initiative, Afternoon Voice is known for its independent editorial voice and commitment to people-centric journalism. The newspaper also runs vocational training programmes for budding journalists and promotes citizen journalism as part of its outreach.
The award is the brainchild of Dr Vaidehi Taman, editor-in-chief of Afternoon Voice, who has consistently worked to spotlight individuals making a difference across sectors such as media, governance, social welfare, public service, business, arts, and culture.
The evening promises a confluence of dignitaries, celebrities, civil servants, social activists, and media leaders, making it one of the most prestigious and inclusive recognition platforms in India.
