Mumbai-based fashion designer and special educator Anjali has embodied strength and resilience not only in her personal life but also her profession. Having gone through a troubled marriage, she raised her daughter as a single mother, alongside running an NGO for specially-abled adults

Personal challenges were many, but she always approached her work with a sense of purpose. While her daughter is now settled in Switzerland, the 62-year-old continues to find joy in her work, and is now building a home for specially-abled adults in Karjat in Maharashtra

Read full story: A mom’s mantra: Don’t take your home to work, and don’t bring your work home

With over 21 years of experience, Dr Samidha Gore has made it her mission to bridge the gap in healthcare access for rural communities. Born in a small village in Maharashtra, she witnessed firsthand the widespread impact of malnutrition—especially among women and children. Deeply moved by the unmet needs of this vulnerable population, Dr Gore was inspired to empower communities 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Gore gathered over 100 doctors, trained them and helped Thane Municipal Corporation during the tough times. While being a doctor, she has also actively started an orphanage to help homeless orphans to give them the chance to have a bright future

She founded Snehalaya Orphanage home in Thane to provide shelter to homeless kids. With a deep concern for underprivileged masses, she regularly reaches out to rural areas to create awareness related to women and children's development by conducting various camps. For over 13 years, she has been associated with the Thane police as a family counsellor

Dr Gore is the recipient of numerous awards, such as 'Thane Gavrav Puraskar' (2018), 'Young Entrepreneur Award' (2019), 'Samman chinha' for helping Kerala flood victims in 2019.  She has also received excellence award by the Governor of Maharashtra in 2021

Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, who is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, has had a compassionate approach towards women's healthcare for over 15 years

Being both a mother and a gynaecologist keeps her constantly on her toes. Ever since her elder son was born, she knew balancing work and family wouldn’t be easy. But as someone who genuinely enjoys both caring for her patients and spending time with her kids, she was determined to find a rhythm that worked. She makes time for herself too—dedicating at least 45 minutes a day to exercise. Cooking dishes her children love and sharing meals together is a daily joy, and they regularly unwind with movie outings or family vacations