Javed Akhtar, Sandeep Tamgadge, Raju Parulekar & Others to be Honoured at Samashti Awards 2025 for Driving Social Change

Mumbai- The Samashti Foundation will honour eminent personalities who have contributed to social transformation at the Samashti Awards 2025, to be held on April 11-12 in Mumbai. This year's awardees will include renowned lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar, IPS officer Sandeep Tamgadge, veteran journalist Raju Parulekar, Dr. Shyamal Garud, Dr. Amol Deolekar, Adv. Disha Wadekar, and editor Dnyanesh Maharao for their outstanding work in literature, public service, journalism, law and social activism.

The two-day Samashti Festival, now in its eighth edition, will take place at Annabhau Sathe Auditorium and will feature a vibrant mix of intellectual discussions and cultural performances. Attendees will witness Dastangoi storytelling by Akshay Shimpi, a musical evening with Rasika & Krutika Borkar, thought-provoking panel discussions, and a special performance of the play "Tuhi Yatta Kanchi" starring Hemant Dhome and Mandar Phanse. The event will also showcase the Satyashodhak Jalsa musical performance and an art exhibition highlighting socially relevant themes.

Among the distinguished honorees, Javed Akhtar and Sandeep Tamgadge will receive the prestigious Namdeo Dhasal Samashti Award - Akhtar for his five decades of literary excellence and Tamgadge for his ethical policing and work on sickle cell disease. Raju Parulekar will be presented with the Samashti Ulgulan Award for his fearless journalism, while Dr. Shyamal Garud will accept the Samashti Golpitha Award for his contributions to Ambedkarite literature. Adv. Disha Wadekar will be honoured with the Samashti Mooknayak Award for her historic legal challenge against caste discrimination, and Dnyanesh Maharao will receive the Satyashodhak Honor for his editorial leadership in socio-political discourse.

Dr. Swapnil Dhasal, National President of Dalit Panther, has extended an open invitation to thinkers, artists and social activists to participate in this celebration of ideas and social reform. For the last eight years, Samashti Foundation has strived to create an inclusive platform where real issues can be expressed through language, performance, and creativity.

The Samashti Awards represent a bond between sensitivity and responsibility. It promises to be a significant platform for dialogue on social justice through art, literature and activism.