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Jay Shah, Harmanpreet Kaur shine at CNN-News18 Indian of the Year
NEW DELHI: India celebrated its finest on 28 November as CNN-News18 hosted the 15th edition of its star-studded ‘Indian of the Year’ awards. Themed ‘India’s Invincible Icons’, the event honoured trailblazers whose courage, grit and vision have left an indelible mark on the nation.
This year’s winners read like a roll call of excellence. ICC chairman Jay Shah received the Outstanding Achievement Award for revolutionising Indian cricket, from introducing pay parity for women to launching the Women’s Premier League. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who led India to World Cup glory in 2025, was crowned Champion of the World. “Lifting the World Cup was a dream we cherished since childhood,” she said, praising Shah’s initiatives that transformed women’s cricket.
The awards also recognised feats of extraordinary courage and skill. Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K received the Youth Icon Award for completing the historic double-handed circumnavigation aboard INSV Tarini. Rauf Wani and Sajjad Ahmad Bhat won the Braveheart Indians Award for their heroic rescue efforts during the Pahalgam terror attack.
In sports, Suruchi Phogat added another ISSF World Cup gold to her collection, while Deepika TC’s Blind Women’s Cricket Team claimed the Special Inspiring Champions Award after their inaugural T20 World Cup triumph.
Cinema and social influence were celebrated too. Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, leads of the blockbuster Saiyaara, were named Gen Z Icons, and nutrition educator Revant Himatsingka took home the Influencer of the Year Award. Climate activist Aditya Mukarji, who has eliminated millions of single-use plastics from the hospitality sector, earned the Climate Warrior Award. Chhonzin Angmo, the first blind Indian woman to scale Mount Everest, was honoured as the Iconic Woman Achiever.
Baba Kalyani, chairman of Bharat Forge Limited, bagged the Business Award, and chef Vijay Kumar was recognised as Global Indian of the Year after winning the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: New York State.
The Indian of the Year awards, regarded as the pinnacle of national recognition, have a long tradition of celebrating individuals who inspire millions. Past recipients include prime minister Narendra Modi, Shah Rukh Khan, Virat Kohli, Mary Kom, Kailash Satyarthi, and Deepika Padukone.
As the glittering evening drew to a close, it was clear that India’s 2025 icons were not just achievers, they were dreamers, doers, and trailblazers setting the stage for the nation’s next chapter.
