Abhaya Dasabhuja Awards 2026 Celebrate 21 Women, Spotlight Women’s Safety and Child Protection
Fashion show portraying women as modern-day Maa Durga highlights the need for courage, self-protection and collective action against injustice
ಅಭಯ ದಶಭುಜ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ 2026: 21 ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸಾಧಕಿಯರಿಗೆ ಗೌರವ; ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸುರಕ್ಷತೆಯ ಸಂದೇಶ ಸಾರಿದ ಫ್ಯಾಷನ್ ಶೋ
BENGALURU, October 13: A vibrant celebration of culture, womanhood and empowerment marked the Abhaya Dasabhuja Award Ceremony 2026, organised by Team Abhaya – Rape-Free India Movement, at the Alliance Française de Bangalore Auditorium in Vasanth Nagar on Sunday. The event honoured women achievers for their professional accomplishments, social contributions and ability to balance multiple responsibilities, while drawing attention to women’s safety and the protection of vulnerable children.
Team Abhaya is the women-centric initiative of the Bangalore Sports Lovers Association (BSLA), a registered non-profit organisation working towards women’s empowerment, social welfare and a safer society for women and children.
Modern-Day Maa Durga: A Powerful Message on Women’s Safety
The evening combined cultural performances with a compelling social message. An Odissi and Bengali fusion performance by Nandita Bhattacharya was followed by a Kathak group dance presented by students of Baneeta Ghosh.
The highlight was a thought-provoking fashion show featuring women portrayed as modern-day Maa Durga, holding a child in one hand and a gun in the other. The imagery symbolised women’s dual roles as nurturers and defenders against injustice.
Organiser and BSLA founder Payel Sengupta emphasised the need for women to empower themselves amid continuing concerns over their safety and dignity. Questioning the gap between the promise of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and the challenges women continue to face, she called for greater courage, self-reliance and collective responsibility. Interactive audience activities added to the evening’s celebratory atmosphere.
21 Women Recognised for Their Achievements
The awards recognised Anitha Selvan, Anindita Ghosh, Aarti Malpani, Anwesha Ghosh, Bindu Madhavi, Harika, Dr Shilpa T. N., Deepashree Makam, Greeshma Bernad, Praveena Muwala, Peali Choudhury, Sujata Solomon, Sindhuja V. B., Sakshi Kamath, Smitha Olety, C. S. Ashwini, Jareena A., Shirin Ara, Baneeta Nag, Saramma Mathew and Ranju Gopa Kumar.
Former MLA and Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress president Sowmya Reddy was selected as the Face of Abhaya in recognition of her association with social causes. Other guests included educationist Shobha Nayar Pandit, entrepreneur Paul Koshy, gender and social policy expert Cynthia Stephen, and Asif Khan, Associate Editor of India Now.
Remembering Vulnerable Children
The ceremony was dedicated to children rescued from trafficking through the efforts of NGOs, government agencies and other organisations working for their safety, rehabilitation and future.
The initiative received support from De-Dezine, Rawley Associates and Law Offices, LNM Landscape, Hiyar Majhe Kolkata, Karnataka Milk Federation, ASG – The Travel India Pvt. Ltd., Fortis Hospital and Aslam Pasha, KPCC Social Media vice-president. Media supporters included India Now, News Karnataka, Udaykala, B9 News and other Karnataka-based television channels.
The event reinforced Team Abhaya’s message: celebrating women’s achievements must go hand in hand with protecting children, challenging injustice and building a safer, more compassionate society.
