Celebrating International Women’s Day, Udgam Charitable Trust, honoured 30+ women on Tuesday evening for their achievements in various sectors. The 17th Udgam Women’s Achievers Award also marked the inaugural Women Startup Festival organised in association with i-Hub Gujarat.
The event held at KCG Auditorium drew over 250 entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and dignitaries who gathered to honour outstanding women driving innovation, startups, and social impact across 16 categories. The achievers were selected through a rigorous jury-led, nomination-based process, ensuring diverse urban-rural representation.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had earlier sent a message on the occasion. “From welfare to leadership, Indian women are now shaping the nation’s destiny,” the CM had conveyed while sending his best wishes for the program.
Other dignitaries present were Gandhinagar (North) MLA Ritaben Patel; Hiranmay Mehanta CEO, iHub, former bureaucrat Sunaina Tomar and Chiranjiv Patel of P C Snehal Group.
The achievers from diverse field who were awarded included: Raksha Shukla, Neelam Kulshreshtha (literature); Jignasha Goswami, Himali Trivedi, Sadhana Parmar (social work); Rasna Dave, Dr. Bhavini Sandip Shah (health); Dr. Miral Utkarsh Panchal, Sudha Joshi, Gajjar Geetaben Manubhai (education); Anjali Prajeshkumar Patel, Pankhuri Soni (young achievers); Dr. Shivani Kinarivala, Namrata Ronak Shodhan (music); Sejal Jaydeep Barot, Prachi Patwari (entrepreneur); Gira Shah (environment); Asha Varvabhai Patel (sports); Payal Mehta (corporate); Asha Pravin Dad (divyang); Nivedita Gouthi (design); Bhavna Shailesh Mehta, Hetal Tejas Bhatti, Vinisha Ruparel, Abhipsa Apurva Dave (art & culture); Anurita Rathore Jadeja (media); and Khushboo Vaidya, Paridhi Karmakar (startup).
Special recognition awards were given to MLA Gandhinagar (N) Ritaben Patel (Hall of Fame) and Hansaben Harshadbhi Patel and Dr. Minakshi Thakar (Lifetime Achievement).
Udgam Trust managing trustee Dr. Mayur Joshi said, “Udgam Usha Parva 2026 elevates recognition to economic opportunity, connecting 550+ women achievers since 2010 with funding, mentorship, and networks.”
Before the award ceremony, panel discussions on ‘From Grassroots to Global: Real Journeys of Women Entrepreneurs & Startups’ and ‘Funding Roots: Decoding Funding for Grassroots Innovations & Startups’ were held. There were also expert sessions featuring Mihir Joshi, MD of Gujarat Venture Finance Limited, and Bhumika Pandya, MD of Baby Bloom.
Tuesday’s event was designed to go beyond simple recognition of women. It aimed to provide institutional validation, increased professional credibility, and new leadership opportunities for women, effectively converting recognition into tangible economic opportunities through the associated startup festival.
Founded on the belief that every woman’s journey deserves respect, the awards aim to honour stories of courage, resilience, and strength. Since its inception in 2010, the awards have honoured over 550+ women achievers from diverse walks of life across 17 consecutive editions.