Report: Indoindians Extraordinary Women Awards 2025 Ceremony
Date: March 8, 2025
Venue: BINUS International University, Jakarta
The Indoindians Extraordinary Women Awards 2025 ceremony celebrated nine exceptional women for their outstanding contributions in various fields, including education, entrepreneurship, social impact, sustainability, and leadership. The event featured keynote speeches, cultural performances, and award presentations, highlighting the achievements and impact of the honorees. The ceremony underscored the importance of community support, women’s empowerment, and recognizing the contributions of extraordinary women in society.
Awards Ceremony LIVESTREAM
Opening and Welcome Address
The event commenced with a classical dance performance by young artists, setting an elegant tone for the evening. Ms. Poonam Sagar, Founder of Indoindians, delivered the welcome speech, emphasizing the significance of community and the power of women supporting one another. Dr. Andreas Chang, Campus Director of BINUS International University, introduced the institution and highlighted its commitment to education, innovation, and collaboration.
The Chief Guest, H.E. Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, engaged the audience with an interactive demonstration on financial independence and women’s empowerment, reinforcing the evening’s core message.
Awards Presentation
The Indoindians Extraordinary Women Awards 2025 honored nine women for their exceptional achievements. The awardees were announced by Monica Mohindra, a past award winner and successful businesswoman. Awards were presented by Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, Poonam Sagar, Manoj Tolani and Sachin Gopalan. The awardees included:
- Pushpa Vatvani – Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognized for pioneering the introduction and expansion of yoga in Indonesia, including her work at the highest levels of government. - Sanjana Bhat – Woman of the Year
Honored for her three decades of contributions to education and inclusive learning in Indonesia since relocating from Kashmir in 1997. - Aparna Saxena – Social Entrepreneurship
Acknowledged for her leadership in sustainable business and her work with indigenous artisans through Toraja Melo, promoting ethical fashion and economic empowerment. - Ayu Pratiwi Muyasyaroh – Environment & Sustainability
Recognized for her work as an SDG advocate, mobilizing over 1,000 youths across ASEAN through storytelling, mentorship, and research in climate action and sustainability. - Julia Suryakusuma – Social Impact
Honored for her pioneering work in feminism, gender, and sexuality studies in Indonesia, tackling taboo subjects and advocating for women’s rights. - Rani Pramesti – Leadership & Social Impact
Celebrated for her efforts in empowering women and creating opportunities for the next generation of female leaders. - Sindhu Raj – Art & Culture
Recognized for her contributions to preserving and promoting traditional arts and cultural heritage. - Sonia Lakhiani – Social Impact
Acknowledged for her work in social development and advocacy, driving meaningful change in communities. - Yanti Nisro Corbett – Leadership & Social Impact
Awarded for her leadership and dedication to social causes, as well as her efforts in fostering cross-cultural connections.
Throughout the event, the awardees and speakers shared insights into their journeys, challenges, and the lessons they have learned. Discussions centered around entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the evolving role of women in business and social impact.
Dr. Julia Suryakusuma and Rani Pramesti spoke about their fearless advocacy for gender equality and leadership, while Aparna Saxena highlighted the importance of South-South collaboration and the potential of Asia in the global sustainability movement. Ayu Pratiwi emphasized the urgency of addressing gender-based disparities in climate action and sustainability.
Yanti Nisro Corbett expressed her gratitude upon receiving her award, sharing personal reflections on her connection to Indian culture and the support she has received throughout her career. In a lighter moment, she humorously referred to her husband as “the victim of my life,” showcasing her warmth and relatability.
Other previous awardees, including Mariko Asmara, Shilpa Dave, Gopi Punjabi, and Shanti Shamdasani, shared their entrepreneurial journeys. They discussed the challenges they faced, the importance of resilience, and the lessons they learned in building successful businesses. The evening concluded with a conversation on the future of women’s leadership, emphasizing the need to stay ahead of trends and embrace innovation.
The Indoindians Extraordinary Women Awards 2025 served as an inspiring platform to recognize and celebrate the achievements of extraordinary women who are making a difference in their fields. The event reinforced the power of community, the importance of mentorship, and the ongoing need to support and uplift women across all sectors.
The ceremony ended on a high note, with a renewed commitment to fostering an inclusive and empowered society where women’s contributions are recognized and celebrated.
Extraordinary women—may we know them, may we be them, may we celebrate them.
