When goodness took the stage: The Free Press Journal awards 11 change-makers who are making this city a better place to live, one life at a time
The Angels Of Mumbai Season 2025 closed with the felicitation of 11 winners. The event was a powerful reminder that change is driven by ordinary individuals who choose to act
The eleven winning Angels of Mumbai with their team-members and jury chairperson Justice S J Kathawalla and jury member Chetna Gala Sinha |
It was an evening of recognition, gratitude and shared purpose as Season 2025 of The Free Press Journal’s Angels Of Mumbai came to an end with the felicitation of 11 individuals and organisations working to improve Mumbai in diverse fields, ranging from healthcare access, education and community development to environmental action and social inclusion.
Angels of Mumbai, an initiative of The Free Press Journal newspaper to spotlight individuals and organisations working selflessly to address pressing social challenges in and around Mumbai, has completed six seasons, a commitment to the idea of Storytelling For Good.
Chief Guest Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Government of Maharashtra, addressed the audience and said Mumbai is also a city of compassion besides being the economic capital. “This is a truly one-of-a-kind awards event by The Free Press Journal, where a jury member, instead of charging any fee for their deliberations, donated Rs 5 lakh from his pocket to support the winners.” Lodha was referring to Justice S J Kathawalla, retired judge of the Bombay High Court and chairperson of the Angels of Mumbai jury, who gave an additional special award of Rs 1 lakh each to five of the winners.
Mumbai’s mayor Ritu Tawde, present as guest of honour, said it is when citizens and civil society work together with government agencies that meaningful change happens. “I truly commend this initiative by The Free Press Journal that recognises people working behind the scenes for other Mumbaikars. It was a moment of joy for me to meet some of them. If the administration, elected representatives and the power of the people come together, I believe no task is impossible,” she shared.
Philanthropist entrepreneur and film producer Ronnie Screwvala, also guest of honour, said the spirit of giving back through time and effort is what truly defines India. "People assume you need grey hair and a large bank balance to contribute meaningfully. But in India, we have repeatedly seen that volunteering, what I call ‘sweat equity’ is the truest form of philanthropy. That spirit of giving back, through time and effort, is what truly defines this country," he said.
THE JURY MEMBERS SPEAK
"It is easy to acquire. It is far harder and far nobler to give, to give time, to give strength, to give compassion, to give when no one is watching. That is the real definition of giving. And that is precisely what each and every one of our angels of Mumbai has chosen to do. This is my third year serving as jury chair and once again, I was humbled…What remains constant is the integrity, innovation and sheer perseverance displayed by every single angel," shared Justice S J Kathawalla, retired judge, Bombay High Court, chairperson of the Angels Of Mumbai jury.
"A great job by The Free Press Journal to put these unsung heroes from diverse fields in the limelight. It was a tough jury process to make a choice," she said. Chetna Gala Sinha, founder, Mann Deshi Bank & Mann Deshi Foundation
"The jury process was interesting, and it was fascinating to read about all the different causes people are working on in the pieces published by The Free Press Journal during the year," shared Amita Chauhan, philanthropist & board member, Social Venture Partners India.
"It was difficult for the jury to choose the winners because all those featured by The Free Press Journal in the Angels of Mumbai are winners in their own right for what they are doing and accomplishing," shared Archana Chandra, CEO, Jai Vakeel Foundation
THE WINNERS
The winning Angels of Mumbai are Gargi Mashruwala, Director, St. Jude India Child Care Centres; Padma Shri Fr. Joseph Pereira, founder of Kripa Foundation; Aman Sharma, Co-founder, Training and Educational Centre For Hearing impaired (TEACH); Dr Tatyana Dias, Founder & CEO, Veruschka Foundation; Pushpa Subramanian and Lata Srinivasan, Co-founders, Gyaandaan Foundation (Sampoorna Shiksha); Hutokshi Rustomfram, Founder-trustee, Save Rani Bagh Botanical Garden Foundation; Dr Eric Borges, Chairperson, Sukoon Nilaya Palliative Care Centre & King George V Memorial Trust; Kedar Sohoni, Founder, Green Communities Foundation; Rashmi Misra, Founder-president, VIDYA; Sheetal Agarwal, Founder & Director, Clownselors Foundation; and Paramjeet Singh, co-founder, DBM India.
RECENT STORIES
-
-
-
-
-