GURU SAMMAN 2025: A Beacon of Empowerment and Transformation

Date: 19 July 2025

Venue: Centre of Police Research Auditorium, Pashan, Pune

The Guru Samman Award is more than just a recognition – it is a national tribute to the soul of selfless mentorship. Hosted at the esteemed Centre of Police Research Auditorium in Pune, the event honoured those who have dedicated their lives to empowering others, transforming communities, and uplifting the collective spirit of the nation.

Guru Sanman Award

Organised by Nisarg Srishti Welfare Foundation in collaboration with Best Brains Institute and the International Institute for Teachers Training, Pune, this event recognised changemakers across India whose journeys embody the highest ideals of teaching, guidance, healing, and societal transformation.

A Guru is not merely a teacher – they are sculptors of lives, nurturers of minds, and catalysts for change. The Guru Samman honours these quiet architects of progress.

Honourees Who Inspire Generations:

1. Bobby Karnani

Founder of VNWC, National Secretary of Universal Shirdi Sai Foundation, and member of the All India Women's Rights Commission, Bobby Karnani is a force for women’s empowerment and community leadership. Her purpose-driven vision has created tangible change in Pune and beyond.

2. Nidhi Mithil Bhandare

An award-winning career counsellor with over 23 years of experience, Nidhi has mentored more than 3,000 students. Her approach blends legal expertise, business acumen, and heartfelt mentorship to help students navigate successful career paths.

3. Meena Agarwal

A freelance counsellor and child psychology advocate, Meena has delivered more than 800 sessions focused on child safety and emotional development through platforms such as Kidzee, Shemrock, and independent initiatives.

4. Kushal Khemani

At just 16, Kushal Khemani is already making waves across India and beyond as a youth leader, educator, and social innovator. Hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, Kushal is not only excelling academically but also leading a powerful movement to digitally empower educators. What began as a personal response to the COVID-19 education crisis has evolved into a national mission—training over 1,000 teachers in essential digital tools and methodologies. His initiatives have sparked systemic change, proving that age is no barrier when vision, empathy, and action align

5. Dr (HC) Prachetan Potadar

A media strategist, comic poet, and storytelling mentor, Dr Prachetan is a recipient of multiple awards and honorary doctorates in Media Management. Known for his satirical performances under the banner Pen Paper Prachetan, he is a guiding force in branding, creative mentorship, and performance arts. A passionate footballer and advocate of the Save the Girl Child movement, he supports startups with purpose-driven communication strategies that fuse creativity with social consciousness.

6. Prakash Karnani

As Director of Vastrum Décor, Prakash is a creative mentor who continues to inspire young minds through innovation and example-led leadership.

7. Vikrant Bhujbal Rao

An Entrepreneurship Evangelist, Author, and a Life coach, Vikrant has impacted over one million lives. Through his company YourSarthi which is into training, coaching, mentoring & consulting, he has coached more than 1,000 entrepreneurs and evaluated more than 10,000 startup ideas.

8. Professor Dr Unmekha Tare

A research guide and higher education leader, Professor Tare has mentored postgraduate and doctoral students, contributing significantly to India’s academic landscape.

9. Abhishek Srivastava

A transformational mentor who integrates Indian spiritual traditions with behavioural science, Abhishek supports emotional alignment and leadership development.

10. Priya Amulraj

A mentor for career and life transitions, Priya has guided more than 600 professionals and parents through challenging life phases with clarity, courage, and compassion.

11. Dr Farzana Lakdavala

An expert in emotional integration and energy healing, Dr Farzana combines modalities such as Reiki, Access Bars, and movement therapy to facilitate deep emotional release.

12. Manju Kaira

Life coach, parenting guide, and TEDx speaker, Manju focuses on balanced living and emotional resilience, especially for underprivileged children and families.

13. Neena Singh

Educator, conservationist, and creative facilitator, Neena has uniquely merged chemistry, culture, and creativity to foster lifelong learning and cultural preservation.

14. Snehal R Singh

As a spiritual coach, author mentor, and AI facilitator, Snehal has guided over 500 creatives by blending neuroscience, energy work, and ancient wisdom.

15. K Nalini

An advocate for women’s sports and wellness, K Nalini’s initiatives have promoted discipline, strength, and holistic health among women and girls.

16. Bhoomika Diwan

A spiritual mentor, confidence stylist, and growth coach, Bhoomika supports individuals through mindset transformation and safe emotional spaces.

17. Akash Agarwal

A student economic enabler, Akash has created income opportunities for more than 30,000 commerce students across India, advancing financial self-reliance.

18. Kala Natrajan

Author and empowerment coach, Kala, has published five books and led numerous campaigns promoting education for girls and women’s empowerment.

19. Harshvardhan Sheetal Ujwala Patil

Founder of Yashwant Classes and a passionate physics mentor, Harshvardhan has transformed the lives of over 5,000 students and developed an innovative Six-Layer Learning System. He has also supported girls’ education through free coaching initiatives.

20. Rashmi Kalsekar

Founder of LAI BHARI, Rashmi is known for her work in youth engagement, cultural awareness, and women’s empowerment through education and outreach in Pune.

Organising Foundation:

Nisarg Srishti Welfare Foundation (NSWF), founded by Dr Garima Kavathekar, is dedicated to addressing environmental challenges and noise pollution through youth outreach, school awareness campaigns, and civic education. Its motto, “Raise awareness, not volume,” exemplifies its quiet but impactful approach to environmental stewardship.

Through its sustained efforts in creativity, civic action, and sustainability education, NSWF continues to inspire responsible citizenship.

Legacy of the Guru

Guru Samman 2025 was more than a formal ceremony – it was a celebration of inner transformation, a collective call to honour those who ignite progress in society. These honourees are the torchbearers of wisdom, resilience, and purpose.

Let their journeys be remembered.

Let their impact continue.

Let their legacy light the way for generations to come.