In the Image (L to R): Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director, All India Association of Industries; Ms. Priya Pansare, Senior Director, Trade Investment and International Relations, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai; Dr. Chandrakanta Pathak, Principal and CEO, HVB Academy; Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai; Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai; Ms. Rupali Gujrathi Sharma, Founder, Women Icons of India; Smt. Nidhi Choudhari, IAS, Director, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai; Ms. Roop Rashi, Chief Executive Officer, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India; H.E. Ms. Sato Hitomi, Consul General, Consulate of Japan in Mumbai; H.E. Ms. Kishani Priyanga Wickramasinghe; Consul General, Consulate General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Mumbai; H.E. Ms. Farhana Ahmed Chowdhury, Deputy High Commissioner, Bangladesh; Smt. Nandini Milind Awade, Member Secretary, Maharashtra State Commission for Women, Government of Maharashtra
“While we celebrate the strength of women during festivals such as Navratri, it is equally important to acknowledge and appreciate the women in our households every single day. We should take pride in ourselves and move forward together not only for our own sake, but for the sake of the society. I thank MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai for recognising women and their contributions through this summit and hope each women continue to be grateful to herself for her service to the society”, said Ms. Manju Lodha, Chairperson, Lodha Foundation at the fourth annual edition Women’s Summit & Awards 2026, held at MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai on October 27, 2026, recognizing women from broad spectrum of social and professional lives by conferring them the prestigious Women Icon Award 2026.
Organised by MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai in association with Women Icons of India, the fourth annual edition of the Summit, themed “Celebrating Remarkable Women Who Create, Lead & Inspire,” brought together distinguished women leaders from public administration, diplomacy, entrepreneurship, education, hospitality and social service to be conferred with the award.
Ms. Manisha Verma, Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary, Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Maharashtra, said, “Women have always been at the forefront of skill development and innovation, playing a pivotal role in the progress of families, communities and society at large. Recognising this, the government has placed significant emphasis on skilling and introduced various initiatives to empower women and enhance their economic participation. The remarkable success of women-led startups reflects their growing contribution to entrepreneurship, innovation and economic development. Women have consistently demonstrated their ability to excel across diverse fields, and providing them with greater access to skills, opportunities and resources will further strengthen their role in shaping India's future.”
Ms. Nidhi Choudhari, Director, National Gallery of Modern Art encouraged women to pursue their aspirations without allowing age, family responsibilities or social expectations to become barriers. She said, “Women have come a long way over the past 75 years. As we move towards Viksit Bharat 2047, we must remove fear from our minds. I encourage every woman to step out and pursue her dreams, regardless of age or circumstances. Whether you are married, raising children or a grandmother, never stop chasing your aspirations.”
Highlighting the importance of education in shaping future generations, Dr. Chandrakanta Pathak, Principal and CEO, HVB Academy said, “In my 47-year career, I have received several awards, but this recognition is particularly special as it is not my recognition but recognition of all women who are the backbone of the family and society. Women by their very potential are empowered, and as women, we must prepare children not merely for examinations but for life. Marks do not define individuals; their character does. Every woman can thus play a big role in instilling this.”
Speaking on women's role in public life, Ms. Harshita Narwekar, Municipal Councillor, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, said, “It is an honour to share this platform with so many accomplished women. Recognition is not a destination but a reminder of our continuing responsibility as public representatives to make a difference in people's lives, educate our children and empower citizens to bring about positive change.”
“Serving the nation is a responsibility, and women-led development is the way forward. We are building a community of empowered women, and our focus must remain on translating our commitments into meaningful action,” said Ms. Roop Rashi, Chief Executive Officer, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC),
Emphasising the need for greater equality and participation, Ms. Nandini Milind Awade, Member Secretary, Maharashtra State Commission for Women, said, “Women are symbols of empowerment, but much more needs to be done to ensure that half of our population has an equal stake in society and economic progress. Women must overcome the challenges before them and continue contributing towards a more equal and prosperous future.”
The Summit also celebrated women's contributions to international relations and diplomacy. H.E. Ms. Kishani Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai, dedicated her recognition to her colleagues, stating, “I am honoured to receive this recognition on behalf of my colleagues at the Consulate General of Sri Lanka. Every achievement is the result of collective effort and teamwork, and I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to this journey.”
H.E. Ms. Farhana Ahmed Chowdhury, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of continued cooperation and mutual understanding. She said, “Such recognition inspires us to move forward with greater determination. India and Bangladesh share deep cultural and historical ties, and we look forward to working more closely with stakeholders to strengthen our engagement. I congratulate all the women being honoured today, whose achievements encourage us to do more.”
H.E. Ms. Dahlia Tawakol, Consul General of Egypt in Mumbai, said, “I am proud to be part of Mumbai's women diplomatic community. Women play a significant role in shaping society, and I sincerely thank World Trade Center Mumbai for this recognition and its continued support in strengthening our engagements and collaboration.”
H.E. Ms. Sato Hitomi, Consul General of Japan in Mumbai, said, “I am extremely grateful for this recognition granted to me in today’s event. In today’s era women are heralding entrepreneurship with their excellent skills which are par excellence. This innate capability needs to be cultivated in Engineering, AI, Biotechnology and various fields where women continue to outpace in research and innovation”.
“I firmly believe that if more women occupied positions of power and leadership across the world, we would witness fewer wars and conflicts. Women bring valuable perspectives of compassion, dialogue, patience and concern for human lives to decision-making. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's engagement in international diplomatic efforts surrounding the Russia–Ukraine conflict demonstrates the important role women leaders can play in addressing complex global challenges. While differences between nations may not disappear, greater participation of women in political leadership and peacebuilding can help strengthen dialogue and create opportunities for peaceful solutions. As we move towards Viksit Bharat 2047, we must ensure that women are not merely participants in development but equal partners in shaping decisions, policies and the future of our nation.”, said Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI).
Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai, praised the remarkable capabilities and achievements of women across diverse fields. He observed that women, who have already established themselves as captains in the aviation industry, are now increasingly making their mark in shipping and the Navy, sectors traditionally dominated by men. He emphasised that their growing participation reflects the breaking of traditional barriers and glass ceilings, highlighting the expanding role of women in India's workforce and leadership.
“Women are the foundation of families and the backbone of society, nurturing values, shaping future generations and strengthening communities. Empowering women creates a positive impact beyond individuals, uplifting families and contributing to a more inclusive and prosperous society,” said Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director, All India Association of Industries (AIAI).
Ms. Priya Pansare, Senior Director, Trade Investment and International Relations, MVIRDC World Trade Center, Mumbai noted the suboptimal and underwhelming participation of women in workforce. “Today nearly 30% of MSMEs are owned by women. To reach the level of Viksit Bharat by 2047, we will need this figure to cross over 45% to make growth more inclusive and distributive.”
The recognition was granted to more than 41 women from many fields, a detailed list of which is attached here. The Women’s Summit & Awards 2026 concluded with a renewed emphasis on celebrating women's achievements while encouraging greater collaboration among institutions, industry, government and civil society. Through this annual initiative, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai and Women Icons of India reaffirmed their commitment to recognising excellence, amplifying women's voices and inspiring future generations to lead, innovate and contribute to an inclusive and developed India.
