Mumbai: The Free Press Journal honoured 11 changemakers at the Angels of Mumbai Season 6 Felicitation Awards Ceremony, celebrating individuals and organisations driving grassroots impact across the city. The Angels of Mumbai initiative, now in its sixth season, continues to spotlight citizens working selflessly to address pressing social challenges in and around Mumbai.
The awards evening was attended by leading voices from the philanthropy and public service sectors. Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Government of Maharashtra, graced the event as chief guest, while Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and filmmaker-philanthropist Ronnie Screwvala were guests of honour.
Speaking on the dais, chief guest Mangal Prabhat Lodha shared, “This is a truly one-of-a-kind awards event by The Free Press Journal, where the jury panellists are not charging any fees for their deliberations. Instead, they are contributing from their own pockets to support the winners. That is absolutely phenomenal and deeply inspiring. This has been made possible because of the powerful impact of this special project. The credit also goes to the Karnani family, whose Angels of Mumbai initiative has created a meaningful ripple effect, inspiring others and motivating them to contribute towards these remarkable changemakers.”
The Angels of Mumbai platform seeks to deepen grassroots impact by amplifying the work of public-spirited individuals and organisations, encouraging civic participation and connecting changemakers with broader networks of support.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde said, “Cities face challenges that are complex and evolving. Government institutions play an important role, but meaningful change only happens when citizens and civil society work together with government agencies. The Angels being felicitated today represent that shared responsibility. You strengthen the social fabric of Mumbai in ways that policy alone cannot achieve. When we celebrate those who serve quietly, we inspire others to act. Mumbai’s resilience has always come from its people. I truly commend this initiative by The Free Press Journal that recognises people working behind the scenes for other Mumbaikars. It was a moment of joy for me to meet some of them.”
The evening recognised winners across healthcare access, education, community development, environmental action and social inclusion, underscoring the breadth of citizen-led initiatives shaping Mumbai’s social landscape.
Guest of honour Ronnie Screwvala shared, “My background comes from a lower middle-class family, and I believe many of us here share a similar journey. If you listen to how we speak and carry ourselves, there is a certain lack of entitlement, and it is precisely that mindset which enables us to give back. When we talk about philanthropy today, I often say it is a 20th-century word in the 21st century. I say this because many people assume you need grey hair and a large bank balance to contribute meaningfully. But in India, we have repeatedly seen that volunteering, what I call ‘sweat equity’ is the truest form of philanthropy. That spirit of giving back, through time and effort, is what truly defines this country.”
The 2025 Angels of Mumbai honourees include Gargi Mashruwala of St. Jude India Child Care Centres; Padma Shri Fr. Joseph Pereira, founder of Kripa Foundation; Aman Sharma, Co-founder of Training and Educational Centre for Hearing Impaired (TEACH); Dr Tatyana Dias, Founder & CEO, Veruschka Foundation; Pushpa Subramanian and Lata Srinivasan, Co-founders of Gyaandaan Foundation (Sampoorna Shiksha); Hutokshi Rustomfram, Founder-Trustee, Save Rani Bagh Botanical Garden Foundation; Dr Eric Borges, Chairperson, Sukoon Nilaya Palliative Care Centre & King George V Memorial Trust; Kedar Sohoni, Founder, Green Communities Foundation; Rashmi Misra, Founder-President, VIDYA; Sheetal Agarwal, Founder & Director, Clownselors Foundation; and Paramjeet Singh, Co-founder, DBM India.
With six seasons completed, Angels of Mumbai continues to position itself as a platform that not only recognises changemakers but also catalyses wider participation in building a more inclusive and resilient city.
