34th Priyadarshni Academy Global Awards honors outstanding work of global dignitaries

Awardees for 2018 includes stalwarts like actor Anushka Sharma, entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala and others

Anushka Sharma receiving Smita Patil Award from Mr. Nitin Gadkari

The 34th Priyadarshni Academy Anniversary Global Awards held at a glittering ceremony at Hotel Trident, Nariman Point on September 19, 2018, saw the who's who of India in attendance. A brainchild of Humanitarian par excellence Mr. Nanik Rupani, Chairman Emeritus Priyadarshni Academy and chaired by Real Estate tycoon, Mr. Niranjan Hiranandani, current Chairman, Priyadarshni Academy is committed to honoring real achievers who have left an indelible mark on society through their meritorious efforts and services.

Staying true to its age-old rich tradition, this year too Priyadarshni Academy honored and awarded achievers drawn from eclectic walks of life for their distinguished services rendered towards the upliftment of mankind in multiple ways. A total of eight awardees were felicitated by leading political dignitaries: Shri. Nitin Gadkari, (Minister of Shipping; Road Transport &Highways; Water Resources; River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation) and Shri. Piyush Goyal, (Minister of Railways and Coal). Also present were Shri Suresh Prabhu (Minister of Commerce and Industry and civil aviation) Actress Poonam Dhillon, actor Bharat Dhabolkar.  

Few of the eminent personalities awarded this year included acclaimed Hindi film actress-producer Anushka Sharma who was honored with the Smita Patil Memorial Award while entrepreneur par excellence Ronnie Screwvala was awarded the Priyadarshni Academy Global Award for his outstanding contribution towards Innovative Entertainment and Community Development.

Expressing her gratitude on receiving the revered Smita Patil Memorial Award, Anushka Sharma said, "I feel humbled to have been honored by Priyadarshni Academy with the Smita Patil Memorial award this year. Smitaji is a true inspiration for every actor of my generation. Her pioneering effort in the upliftment of parallel cinema movement in India stands out as a beacon of hope for actors like myself and me in my small way will always strive to take her dream forward by being part of films that are content rich. This year also embarks me completing a decade."

Mr. Ronnie Screwvala, Founder Director, Swades Foundation awarded Priyadarshni Academy Global Award for outstanding contribution to Innovative Entertainment and Community Development

"I am grateful to Priyadarshini Academy for having chosen me as the recipient of Priyadarshini Global Academy Award. The award is a reassurance of the fact that our Swades foundation's efforts in empowering rural India to become self-sufficient in water, health, education, and livelihood are steadily progressing in the right direction” Said Mr. Ronnie Screwvala.

Mr. Nanik Rupani, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Priyadarshni Academy addressing the event

On this occasion, Mr. Rupani quotes “Priyadarshni Academy has steadily grown during the last 34 years and has been doing yeoman service to the society. Every year 3 to 4 million rupees are awarded as Scholarships to deserving and needy students thus fulfilling their ambitions to pursue higher studies in India. The global awards program of the Academy is a prestigious event which brings goodwill with other nations and makes them closer and strengthens bilateral relations”

Priyadarshni Academy is a premier non-profit, socio-cultural and educational organization. Founded in 1985 by Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Nanik Rupani, in association with a group of other distinguished personalities, the Academy was born with the aim of rendering service to humanity. Mr. Nanik Rupani sincerely believes in the motto ‘Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life’ and feels every citizen should consider it as his/her duty to give back what they have received from the society.  With this larger objective in mind, the Academy has been at the forefront of successfully providing educational assistance to deserving and needy students and opportunities to talented artists in the field of classical music and dance by organizing shows.

The Academy's Global Awards function is a very significant global event which has put India on the cultural / Global map of the world as it honors outstanding work of global dignitaries.