News18 India honours changemakers at Amrit Ratna 2026 in Delhi

MUMBAI: When excellence takes centre stage, the spotlight shines far beyond fame. At Amrit Ratna 2026, it illuminated the people shaping India’s story, one achievement at a time. News18 India hosted the fourth edition of its flagship platform Amrit Ratna 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, cultural icons, scientists, sportspersons and industry leaders to celebrate individuals whose contributions have left a lasting mark on India’s growth journey.

The event recognised achievers from diverse fields whose work reflects the vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’, while highlighting the collective effort driving India’s ambition of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The evening was attended by Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi, and Kiren Rijiju, union minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs, alongside award recipients, jury members and distinguished guests.

This year’s honourees included former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, singer Sonu Nigam, actor Rakesh Bedi, scientist Dr Shubha V. Iyengar, actress Zeenat Aman, musicians Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Pt Salil Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, actress Alia Bhatt, and singer-songwriter Gurdas Maan.

Addressing the gathering, Rekha Gupta highlighted the role of citizens in nation-building, saying that if 140 crore Indians move forward by even one step every day, the nation advances by 140 crore steps daily.

Kiren Rijiju spoke about women’s political representation, reiterating the government’s commitment to 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. He noted that the proposal is expected to return during the Monsoon Session in July, requiring a constitutional amendment and a two-thirds majority.

The event also featured a special conversation with Alia Bhatt ahead of the release of her upcoming film Alpha. Reflecting on the action genre, Bhatt noted that Indian action entertainers have traditionally been male-led and described the opportunity as both a significant challenge and a career milestone.

Beyond the awards, the event served as a platform for conversations around leadership, culture, innovation and public service. The diversity of this year’s recipients spanning sports, science, entertainment and the arts underscored the evolving definition of influence in modern India.

With its fourth edition, Amrit Ratna continued to strengthen its position as a platform that recognises excellence across disciplines while celebrating individuals whose contributions extend beyond personal success to create a broader societal impact.

As India charts its path towards 2047, the evening offered a reminder that the country’s progress is being shaped not only by institutions and policies, but also by the people whose work continues to inspire change across generations.