The 9th edition of Newsmakers Achievers’ Award held on May 1, 2018, at the Rangaswar Auditorium, Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Mumbai was dedicated to help the ‘Divyangs’ (handicap persons) and the education of sex workers’ daughters. In our society, handicaps or persons with disabilities do not enjoy the pleasure of living a normal life as others and often face disgrace in gaining jobs, be it government or private. However, in order to support their family and to earn livelihood, they are forced to beg on streets and railway stations. They do not receive a helping hand to survive in this vicious circle and also do inadequate labour work despite having various talents.
The sex workers are not only looked down upon, they are also ill-treated at most of the places. Their children also face harassment and discrimination at schools, colleges and workplace for their parents’ profession and at times, they fail to secure admission for their education which leads to risking their future ahead. The society’s attitude towards them continues to remain unchanged leaving them to tackle with social isolation.
Newsmakers felicitates Achievers
Various personalities from all walks of life – be it in media, politics, Bollywood and TV industry, academic, and social sector were also honoured on this occasion. The award was handed over to them by eminent personalities.
B.J. Khatal-Patil, B.L Gaur and Bappi Lahiri were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. HH Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni was honoured with the Best Spiritual Leader Award. While Suresh Nakhua (BJP), Sachin Sawant (Congress) and Waris Pathan (AIMIM) received the Promising Young Politician Award, and Vijay Jolly (BJP) was awarded with the Best Working Politician Award. The Award for the Best Doctor was bagged by Dr. Avinash Supe.
Neeru Sharma received the Best Journalist (Entertainment Editor) Award. Country and Politics Newspaper from Delhi was felicitated with the Best Newspaper Award. Rajesh Badal and Abhay Mishraa were honoured with Best Journalist Award.
While Nitanshi Goel received the Best Child Artist Award, Neetu Chandra was felicitated with the Best Actress award; Rohit Roy received the Best Television Actor Award and Suhani Dhanki bagged the Best Television Actress Award. Kailash Kher bagged the Best Singer Award while Dr. Soma Ghosh won the Best Vocalist Award. Bharti Singh received the Best Comedian (Female) Award and Rajeev Nigam was felicitated with the Best Comedian (Male) Award. Pria Kataaria Puri was felicitated with Best Fashion Designer Award.
Bhagyashree Mote was honoured with the Best Marathi Actress Award while Swwapnil Joshi bagged the Best Marathi Actor award. Aruna Raje Patil was the recipient of the Best Director Award. Best Radio Jockey Award was bagged by Hrishikesh Kannan. The Best TV Programme Award was received by Saas Bahu Aur Betiyaan (Aaj Tak). The Mohamedan Education Society and Vivekanand Education Society were the recipients of the Best Educational Institute Award.
The Jury Awards were bagged by Villo Bharucha (Ballet Dancer) and Best Film (Doctor Rakhmabai) by Dr. Swapna Patker.
Vaidehi Taman, the Group Editor of NBC said, “We organise this award event every year to mainly acknowledge the unsung heroes those who are giving lots of contribution towards this society and in their respective fields. The 9th successful year of Newsmakers Achievers’ Awards 2018 is an amalgamation of sung and unsung heroes and a very unique experiment with the charity.”
