The event aimed to inspire, motivate and empower women by recognising their achievements

On the 16th anniversary of the UN designated  International Women’s Day Celebrations, Public Diplomacy Forum  in association with BW Businessworld hosted a special event at the Ambassador Hotel in New Delhi to celebrate women achievers.

The  Chief Guest  on the occasion was Dr Shashi Tharoor, author, politician, and former international civil servant who is currently a third-term Lok Sabha MP representing the Thiruvananthapuram constituency.

New Delhi-born Top Chef Master and Michelin Star Chef Suvir Saran who has nurtured a lifelong passion for the traditional flavors of Indian cooking was a special guest and speaker at the event, Saran is an internationally accomplished chef, cookbook author, educator, and culinary consultant.

The event aimed to inspire, motivate and empower women by recognising their achievements. The special guests gracing this event  over the years  have been  internationally renowned icons in  the field of visual arts, performing arts, international diplomacy ,media and political leaders like Dr Shashi Tharoor, Shri S.P. Singh Baghel, Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh,  Naina Lal Kidwai,  Nandini Bhalla, Kalyani Chawla among others.

The top achievers this year included: Aanchal Malhotra ( Author) Ambreen Khan (Media), Anjana Om Kashyap News Anchor, Dr Anjalo Hooda (Medicine), Bahar Dhawan Rohatgi (Visual Artist), Gunjan Gupta (Innovation), Jesicaa Singh Gandhi (PR & Media Entrepreneur), Niki Mehra (Fashion Influencer), Radhika Bhalla (Journalist), Ridhima Kansal (Entrepreneur), Rimple Narulah (Fashion Designer), Saksh D Jain (Entrepreneur) and Shalini Kochhar (Happiness Designer)

It must be mentioned that the Public Diplomacy Forum is a civil society organisation which has a tradition to host meaningful and socially and politically relevant projects, programs & seminars . In an increasingly global world civil society organisations such as PDF are indispensable partners for international efforts at the country level as well.

One of the mandates of PDF is to promote international cooperation and fellowship with other countries hence PDF has hosted several Ambassadors and High Commissioners to give illustrated talks on their respective countries which have been highly appreciated and very well received by the media as well.

PDF has proven itself to be a major player in shaping evolving debates across issues, ranging from global governance reforms and climate change to world peace.

Speaking about the event, Founder President,Public Diplomacy Forum Mrs Ratan Kaul said, “ Women’s rights are human rights, the rights of women and girls are being reduced, restricted and reversed. Empowering women and girls is the only way to protect their rights and make sure they can realise their full potential, and there is no better way to inspire women than to show off to them the amazing women who have made a difference”

Nikita Khattar Arya Director Projects, Public Diplomacy Forum has always been a guiding light and a huge source of motivation behind everything that she has been doing. She joined Mrs Kaul in this herculean effort to showcase women empowerment through these awards. Nikita believes that the world could be a better place if women are treated equally as men. She is a firm believer in equal opportunities for men and women and has been advocating the same through these awards.

Speaking about the event, Dr Annurag Batra, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld and Founder exchange4media Group said, “We have always opened our platforms to support such events and Mrs Ratan Kaul is the champion of such causes and we are glad to partner.”