Feisty Richa Chadha honored with  "I Am Woman" prestigious KGEF-IE Award-celebrating womanhood, in the presence of  stars Madhoo Shah, Zayed Khan, Rohit Roy etc ! by Chaitanya Padukone

In a powerful celebration of female empowerment, actor-activist Richa Chadha graced the "I Am Woman" Awards, where she was honored with the “Woman of Substance Award. (2024) ” The event, presented by the Karan Gupta Education Foundation (KGEF) and IE University, marked its fifth edition with a focus on celebrating the achievements and leadership of women.

Star-celebs turn-out at this grand conclave event  included  versatile evergreen, articulate star actress-danseuse Madhoo Shah ( of 'Roja' fame), popular star-actors Zayed Khan, Rohit Roy, Taher Shabbir, and celebs like Nitish Shah, Lucky Morani, Kiran Bawa, Dr Rishma Pai among others.

Dr. Karan Gupta Honors Richa Chadha as Woman of Substance

Dr. Karan Gupta, dynamic Founder of KGEF and Managing Director of IE University, opened the evening with heartfelt praise for Chadha, highlighting her as a true embodiment of the award's spirit. "Richa Chadha is an amazing Woman of Substance, one who is never afraid to speak her mind. Her courage and conviction extend beyond her film career, as she passionately advocates for women's rights and social justice," Karan Gupta remarked.

Dr. Gupta further explained the ethos behind "I Am Woman": “The vision behind ‘I Am Woman’ is rooted in the belief that when women come together, they create an unstoppable force for change. This platform was conceived as a space where women from different walks of life can gather to support, learn, and inspire each other. It was founded on the idea that sharing stories of resilience and success can empower others to overcome their own challenges.”

The evening was a testament to this vision, featuring a series of panels and awards aimed at sparking impactful discussions and recognizing outstanding contributions. Topics covered included Women in Business, Women’s Safety in India, Social Impact, and Women of Substance.

The panels included notable figures such as Minal Deshpande, M.D. at Deloitte; Advocate Mrunalini Deshpande, a prominent voice for women’s rights; and Swarnalatha J, a disability rights activist, Resham Chhabria, Vice Chairperson, ABDL among others. These discussions were moderated by influential star-personalities like Rohit Roy, Zayed Khan, and of course the charismatic 'Roja' girl Madhoo Shah, who provided valuable proactive insights into the evolving landscape of women’s achievements and challenges.

Filmfare Award winner-actress and social activist Richa Chadha’s recognition as Woman of Substance celebrated her significant impact in the film industry and her relentless advocacy for women's rights. The affable Richa won loads of appreciation for her riveting lead role and performance as “Nagma Khatoon” in Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur both Part 1 and Part 2,  Her diligent work extends beyond cinema, using her platform to support distressed voices and address crucial societal issues. Off-screen,  versatile Richa Chadha who recently made an impact as Lajwanti ‘Lajjo’ in SLB’s opulent OTT show Heeramandi, is happily married to talented celeb-actor Ali Fazal . Wearing a radiant glow, Richa seemed jubilant, as she  embraced motherhood when she delivered her first child an angelic baby-girl on July 16, 2024  

The collaboration between KGEF and IE University highlights a shared commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion, and the empowerment of women, striving to create a more inclusive and supportive global community. Perhaps as a befitting post-event finale, to the woman-centric event hosted by zestful Dr Karan Gupta,  was a surprise solo-violin performance of Bollywood melodies on stage, by a talented 'lady' violinist-pianist Daniella Alphonso

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