WUD celebrates International Women’s Day with SrijanShakti National Awards 2025

The university conferred the prestigious SrijanShakti National Awards on three outstanding women designers, recognizing their leadership, innovation, and influence in the creative domain.

World University of Design commemorated International Women’s Day in a unique and empowering way by honoring women who have made significant contributions in the field of design. The university conferred the prestigious SrijanShakti National Awards on three outstanding women designers, recognizing their leadership, innovation, and influence in the creative domain. The award ceremony was a part of the Indian Women in Design event, a flagship initiative by the university, which highlights women shaping the design industry.

SrijanShakti National Awards 2025: Tribute to Women in Design

The SrijanShakti National Awards were instituted by the World University of Design in 2024 to celebrate and honor women in India’s creative sector who have made exceptional contributions through innovation, leadership, inclusivity, and social impact. The 2025 awards were presented across three categories, each recognizing individuals who have excelled in their respective fields. A distinguished panel of judges, with expertise and deep commitment to the arts, design, and heritage, selected the winners for this prestigious recognition.

The jury panel consisted of:

• Rathi Vinay Jha – Pioneer in fashion education and cultural heritage
• Padma Shri Geeta Chandran – Iconic Bharatnatyam dancer, vocalist, and arts advocate
• Pia Kaikonen – Globally recognized graphic designer and curator

Awardees of SrijanShakti National Awards 2025

The following three exceptional women were honored for their contributions to the design field:

1. Nutan Dayal – Awarded the Design Entrepreneur of the Year Award for her pioneering efforts in sustainable fashion and expanding her purpose-driven apparel brand to over 60 countries.
2. Dr. Shaon Sengupta – Recognized with the Industry Innovation Champion Award for her leadership in digital healthcare design, shaping life-saving solutions.
3. Monika Khanna Gulati – Honored with the Social Impact Catalyst Award for over 25 years of leveraging design for sustainability, advocacy, and global social change.

Speaking about the awards and their significance, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor of the World University of Design, emphasized the connection between creativity and feminine power. He said, "The SrijanShakti Awards honor women in the creative field who are making a real impact with their work. These Women of Design stand out for their innovation, leadership, inclusivity, social impact, mentorship, and efforts to preserve culture through design. ‘Srijan’ means creativity, and ‘Shakti’ represents feminine power—together, they highlight the strong connection between women and creativity. Selected by a panel of experts, this year’s winners truly inspire, and I warmly congratulate them all."

Indian Women in Design Event: A Day of Inspiration and Dialogue

In addition to the SrijanShakti National Awards 2025, the event featured a keynote address, engaging panel discussions, and a narrative session on the stories of Women Shaping Design. This initiative reaffirms the university’s commitment to creating a design ecosystem where creativity knows no gender boundaries, and all voices are valued.

A prominent panel discussion during the event brought together thought leaders who discussed the past, present, and future roles of women in the design industry. The panelists highlighted how pioneering women entrepreneurs are shaping the design industry with vision, innovation, and leadership.

Panelists included:

• Neeraj Manchanda – Co-founder and Partner at BARGAD DESIGN
• Rumzum Chatterjee – Renowned leader in the infrastructure sector and human capital management
• Sunita Shanker – Celebrated craft-based fashion and textile designer, Founder of Sunita Shanker Studio

The discussion focused not just on gender bias, but also on strategies, challenges, and bold ideas that could create a more inclusive and dynamic design ecosystem.

World University of Design’s Commitment to Gender Inclusivity and Innovation

Through the SrijanShakti Awards and its initiatives like Indian Women in Design, the World University of Design is playing a vital role in empowering women designers and fostering an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable creative industry. The event celebrated the achievements of women who have overcome barriers to create lasting change, while also paving the way for future generations of women in design.

This event served as a reminder that the future of design is being shaped by the tireless efforts, vision, and passion of women who continue to push boundaries and redefine the industry.

The SrijanShakti National Awards 2025 were a momentous occasion that celebrated the power of women in the creative sector. By recognizing the exceptional contributions of Nutan Dayal, Dr. Shaon Sengupta, and Monika Khanna Gulati, the World University of Design not only honored their achievements but also paved the way for more women to take center stage in the world of design. This event reinforces the university’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that creativity, leadership, and innovation know no gender boundaries.

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