23rd February, 2026
SI Bombay Chembur is privileged to confer the Soroptimist Excellence Award on 2026 to Dr. Nandita Shah, Co-founder and managing trustee of Akshara Centre, a not-for-profit women’s organisation and resource centre working for the empowerment of women and girls.
Akshara Centre envisions a society where all women can live a violence-free, dignified life with no discrimination. Their action is three-pronged: Changing hearts and minds of young women and men, Impacting public attitudes, and collaborating with government bodies to ensure gender justice. Some of significant work done by them involves trainings with bus conductors and drivers, explaining the issue of sexual harassment and ways to tackle; creating and promoting emergency helplines for women in partnership with local police. A fascinating aspect of their work has been mobilising college students for innovative creatives to challenge gender stereotypes embedded in the society and popular culture.
The award ceremony took place on 23rd February at Pillai University Campus at Panvel. Dr. Nandita Shah addressed a gathering of students, teachers and members of SIBC. The award was presented to her at the hands of Dr. Daphne Pillai, our founder president. The award carried a trophy, a citation and a donation by SIBC to Askhara Centre.
