“Nari Tu Narayani” Awards – Dr. Aruna M. Katara

Specially-abled Kathak and Western dancer
Has won multiple national and international awards
Honoured with Nari Shakti Puraskar 2020 at the hands of President Ram Nath Kovind for promoting Indian Classical Dance internationally despite hardships
She believes in the mantra – practice makes perfect
Exemplifies willpower, determination, and passion above all difficulties
Her favourite dancers are Hrithik Roshan, Madhuri Dixit, and Shiamak Davar
Her goal is to help other special children like her find happiness through dance

A homemaker, journalist, writer, social worker, and environmentalist
A retired Air Force officer’s wife
She has an innate quality of wanting to help people and believes in the joy of giving
Founder of Team Miracle, a social support group for paraplegic soldiers, cancer patients, street children, orphans, and destitute women
Now primarily focussed on Environmental Work that consists of solid waste management and promoting simple daily-use sustainable products through drives, donations, and Eco Melas
She advocates that Mother Earth or Bhoo-Mata is the divine Shri Mahalaxmi we worship and that we should respect and care for her
She spreads care and love through her selfless and nurturing ways

Was a kindergarten school teacher for 20 years
Chairperson of Persistent Foundation
The Persistent Foundation – the CSR arm of Persistent Systems – was established in 2009
Wide-spread activities in 4 other cities – Nagpur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Goa
The Persistent Foundation supports high-impact programs in education, health and community development for diverse beneficiaries
Co-founder of deAsra Foundation, a Deshpande family foundation which empowers ambitious individuals to become entrepreneurs of nano businesses
She strongly believes in giving back to society through social work and philanthropy