Mumbai, 11th November 2024 – The Harmony Foundation hosted the prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice 2024 on 10th November at Hotel Sofitel BKC, Mumbai, marking 20 years of honoring extraordinary advocates of humanity. This annual event celebrates the legacy of Mother Teresa, the embodiment of compassion and selfless service, and is the only award of its kind endorsed by the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata.
The ceremony was graced by Hon. Justice Shri K.K. Tated, Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, and a host of distinguished guests, including renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, actress Soni Razdan, and actor Denzil Smith. Dr. Abraham Mathai, Founder Chairman of the Harmony Foundation and former Vice-Chairman of the Minorities Commission, delivered a poignant address, emphasizing the award’s ethos of servant leadership and compassion.
In his speech, Dr. Mathai spoke about the significance of the award, noting that while the Nobel Prize originated from a remorseful gesture by Alfred Nobel for the destruction caused by his invention of dynamite, the Mother Teresa Memorial Award is rooted in the positive legacy of selflessness and service to humanity. He stressed the importance of leadership that embodies compassion, highlighting Mother Teresa as the epitome of servant leadership. Dr. Mathai also recalled the bravery of nuns in Gaza, who risked their lives to care for children with disabilities, illustrating the kind of humanity in action the award seeks to honor.
The event celebrated this year’s theme of Humanity in Action, recognizing individuals and organizations from across the globe who have made selfless contributions towards social justice. These include the posthumous award to the late Shri Ratan Tata for his visionary leadership and humanitarian contributions, and many others whose work continues to inspire hope and compassion around the world.
Award Recipients of the Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice 2024:
- Late Shri Ratan Tata – Posthumously awarded for his exceptional contributions to business and society, exemplifying compassionate leadership. The award was received by Mr. Siddharth Sharma, CEO of Tata Trusts.
- Lena Grochowska and Władysław Grochowski – Jointly awarded for their tireless humanitarian efforts in supporting Ukrainian refugees in Poland. The award was received by their grandson Mr. Jan Grochowski and Ms. Aneta Żochowska, Director of the Lena Grochowska Foundation.
- Palak Muchhal – Recognized for her mission to fund life-saving heart surgeries for underprivileged children through her singing.
- Smile Train – Awarded for providing free, high-quality cleft lip and palate treatments to over 2 million children in more than 95 countries. The award was received by Ms. Renu Mehta, Area Director of Smile Train South Asia.
- WaterAid International – Honored for its commitment to providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in over 22 countries. The award was received by Mr. V.K. Madhavan, CEO of WaterAid India.
- Vision Rescue – Awarded for rescuing and rehabilitating children from exploitation and transforming their lives through education. The award was received by Ms. Susan Raju Paul, CEO; Mr. Rajesh Jadhav, Managing Trustee; and Mr. Ajesh Jose, Director of Strategic Planning.
- Chetna Gala Sinha – Recognized for her dedication to empowering rural women in India and her innovative approaches to their financial inclusion.
- Julienne Lusenge – Awarded for her relentless advocacy for survivors of sexual violence and women’s rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The award was received by Ms. Wangechi Githaiga, Resource Mobilisation Officer at the Fund for Congolese Women.
- Purnata – Recognized for their commitment to fighting human trafficking and supporting survivors in India. The award was received by Mr. Aaboo Varghese, Founder of Purnata.
- Jusoor – Awarded for their efforts to empower Syrian children and youth affected by war and displacement through education. The award was received by Mr. Khaled Abu Ajwa, Executive Director of Jusoor.
- Rohini Nilekani – Honored for her contributions to philanthropy and her role in advancing social causes in India. The award was received by Mr. Gautam John, CEO of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.
- White Helmets – Recognized for their extraordinary bravery in conducting rescue operations in war-torn Syria. The award was received by Mr. Ahmed Ekzayez, Chief Programs Manager at White Helmets.
About Harmony Foundation
The Harmony Foundation, founded by Dr. Abraham Mathai, is a non-profit organization based in Mumbai, India. Its mission is to promote social cohesion and advocate for the benefit of all communities, without discrimination. Through the Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice, the Foundation honors individuals and organizations that have dedicated their lives to advancing peace, harmony, and social justice globally. Instituted in 2005, the awards have recognized world leaders, Nobel Laureates, and countless individuals whose selfless service continues to inspire positive change across the world.
