Celebrating two decades of recognising selfless service and social leadership, Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK) marked the 20th edition of the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award in Surat. The milestone event honoured distinguished changemakers Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao and Reema Nanavaty, while also introducing the inaugural Santokbaa Social Entrepreneur Award, presented to Srikanth Bolla for his pioneering work in inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Quick Summary
- SRK celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award in Surat.
- Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao and Reema Nanavaty received the 2026 Santokbaa Humanitarian Award.
- SRKKF introduced the inaugural Santokbaa Social Entrepreneur Award.
- Srikanth Bolla became the first recipient of the new social entrepreneurship honour.
- Shri Govind Dholakia founded the award in 2006.
- Over 20 years, the award has honoured some of India’s most respected humanitarian leaders.
- The initiative reflects the natural diamond industry’s commitment to social impact and philanthropy.
- SRKKF continues to support education, healthcare, women empowerment, sustainability and community development.
Celebrating Two Decades of Humanitarian Leadership
Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao and Smt. Reema Nanavaty as India’s Iconic Changemakers Transforming Millions of Lives; Inaugural Social Entrepreneur Award presented to Shri Srikanth Bolla
Landmark 20-Year Milestone
Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. (SRK), one of the world’s leading natural diamond crafting companies, marked 20 years of the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award, organised by its philanthropic arm, Shree Ramkrishna Knowledge Foundation (SRKKF) in Surat.
A Distinguished Legacy of Recognition
Since its inception in 2006 by Shri Govind Dholakia, Founder & Chairman Emeritus of SRK, the award has become one of India’s most distinguished platforms for recognising selfless service and transformative social leadership.
Dignitaries at the Event
Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, and several other eminent personalities participated as distinguished Guests of Honour.
Honouring Eminent Changemakers
The Santokbaa Humanitarian Award that recognizes eminent changemakers was presented this year to Padma Shri Dr. Gullapalli N Rao, celebrated Indian ophthalmologist and the Founder Chair, LV Prasad Eye Institute and Padma Shri Smt. Reema Nanavaty, an Indian developmental worker and the Director of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
Introduction of the Social Entrepreneur Award
In 2026, SRKKF introduced the Santokbaa Social Entrepreneur Award as a significant addition to the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award celebrations. The award recognises a new generation of changemakers who prove that business can be a force for good. While traditional entrepreneurship focuses on creating economic value, social entrepreneurship goes a step further by addressing social and environmental challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions.
This category honours entrepreneurs who successfully combine purpose with enterprise, creating businesses that generate growth and employment while delivering meaningful and lasting social impact. Shri Srikanth Bolla, Founder of Bollant Industries, a sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing company, became the first recipient of the award. He transformed personal adversity into a powerful mission for inclusion and pioneered a business model that champions disability-inclusive employment and environmentally sustainable practices.
Through this award, SRKKF celebrates individuals who demonstrate that compassion, innovation and entrepreneurship can work together to build a better future for all.
Natural Diamonds and Social Impact
The natural diamond industry has long contributed to economic growth, employment generation, philanthropy, sustainability and community development. The Santokbaa Humanitarian Award reflects the industry’s belief that true success comes not only from business achievements but also from creating a positive impact on society.
SRKKF’s Transformative Initiatives
This philosophy has been at the heart of SRK and its philanthropic arm, Shree Ramkrishna Knowledge Foundation (SRKKF), which over the years have touched millions of lives through transformative initiatives spanning education, healthcare, skill development, women empowerment, environmental sustainability, rural development, and community welfare. Guided by the vision of Shri Govind Dholakia, these efforts have created lasting social impact across India and beyond. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to service and social good, Shri Govind Dholakia was recently honoured with the Good Award for Lifetime Achievement by Diamonds Do Good, a prestigious global recognition celebrating leaders who use the power of the natural diamond industry to create meaningful change in communities around the world.
The Inspiration Behind the Award
Founded in memory of Shri Govind Dholakia’s mother, Santokbaa, the award was established to honour the values she lived by truth, compassion and selfless service. Over 20 years, the award has recognised 19 of world’s most distinguished humanitarian leaders, including Shri Ratan Tata, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Dr. Sudha Murty, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Shri Shiv Nadar, Dr. Verghese Kurien, and Shri Kailash Satyarthi, among others.
Independent Jury Selection Process
The recipients are selected through a rigorous and transparent evaluation process led by an independent jury comprising distinguished leaders from diverse fields. The jury for the 2026 awards included Shri Govindan Rangarajan, Director, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru; Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman, ISRO; Admiral R. Hari Kumar (Retd.), Former Chief of the Indian Navy; Shri Rishabh Shroff, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas; and Shri Shreyans Dholakia, Entrepreneur and Brand Custodian, SRK.
Chief Guest’s Reflections
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, reflected on the true meaning of success, emphasizing that it lies not in wealth, power, or fame, but in the values of compassion, selfless service, and commitment to a greater purpose. Drawing inspiration from the life of Santokbaa, he highlighted the ideals of simplicity, truth, love, and service, and stressed that a society progresses when it honors those who work for the welfare of others.
Recognition Beyond Awards
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Harsh Sanghavi, highlighted how the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award has, over the years, brought distinguished changemakers from across the country to Surat and provided a platform to recognize and amplify their contributions to society. Describing the award as more than a mere recognition, he emphasized its role in inspiring thousands of people through the life stories and work of the awardees.
SRK’s Vision for Inspiring Change
Speaking on the occasion Shri Shreyans Dholakia, Director and Brand Custodian of SRK said, “Most changemakers begin their journey because they care, not because they seek recognition. Every day, countless individuals work quietly to solve real challenges and transform lives. While awards do not create changemakers, they help amplify their stories and inspire others to act. What gets celebrated gets replicated, and by recognising compassion, service, and social impact, we hope to encourage more people, especially the younger generation, to see creating positive change as a meaningful purpose in life.”
Govind Dholakia on Purpose-Driven Leadership
Talking about the awardees, Shri Govind Dholakia said, “The recipients of this year’s award have demonstrated how purpose-driven action can touch millions of lives. Their vision, dedication and service have created lasting impact and it reminds us that true success is not in personal achievements but in how we uplift those around us.”
Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao on Receiving the Honour
Talking about the recognition, Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao said, “The Santokbaa Humanitarian Award represents values that are deeply meaningful – empathy, service, and a commitment to improving lives. It is truly an honour to receive this recognition and accept it on behalf of the many individuals and institutions who have dedicated themselves to the cause of expanding access to quality eye care. Together, we have witnessed the transformative power of restoring sight, dignity, and opportunity. Witnessing the operational systems at SRK confirms, without a doubt, that it is a world-class organization. My maiden trip to Surat has been a fantastic experience, and I look forward to my team at LVPEI learning a great deal from Govindkaka.”
Reema Nanavaty on Women’s Empowerment
On receiving the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award, Smt. Reema Nanavaty said, “This recognition truly belongs to the millions of women whose resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit continue to inspire us every day. My journey with SEWA has reinforced a simple belief: when women are empowered with opportunity, they become powerful agents of change for their families, communities, and society at large. SEWA and SRK have the opportunity to collaborate across multiple areas, empowering marginalized communities by providing tailored skill development that meets current societal needs.”
Srikanth Bolla on Social Entrepreneurship
Winner of the inaugural Social Entrepreneur Award, Shri Srikanth Bolla said, “My journey has taught me that limitations often exist more in perception than in reality. Being the first person to win the Santokbaa Social Entrepreneur Award is special and a reminder of my belief that with the right opportunities, support, and determination, every individual can contribute meaningfully to society and create impact beyond themselves. Today, I witnessed a double brilliance in both your diamonds and SRK. Like Govindkaka, I hold a strong faith in the invisible power that guides us, and I feel it is true destiny that brought me to your city. I am incredibly excited about building a meaningful, long-term partnership between our two institutions.”
Looking Ahead
As the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award completed a remarkable 20-year journey, the milestone celebration reaffirmed the enduring importance of empathy, service and purposeful leadership in shaping a better future. The journey endures, contributing towards nation-building through compassion, innovation and service to humanity.
FAQs
What is the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award?
The Santokbaa Humanitarian Award is a prestigious recognition established by SRK and SRKKF in 2006 to honour individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to social service, humanitarian causes and transformative leadership.
Who received the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award in 2026?
The 2026 award was presented to Padma Shri Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao and Padma Shri Reema Nanavaty for their significant contributions to healthcare and social development.
What is the Santokbaa Social Entrepreneur Award?
Introduced in 2026, the Santokbaa Social Entrepreneur Award recognises entrepreneurs who combine business success with meaningful social and environmental impact.
Who was the first recipient of the Santokbaa Social Entrepreneur Award?
Shri Srikanth Bolla, Founder of Bollant Industries, received the inaugural award for promoting disability-inclusive employment and sustainable business practices.
Why was the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award established?
The award was established in memory of Santokbaa, mother of Shri Govind Dholakia, to honour the values of truth, compassion and selfless service.
What role does SRKKF play in society?
SRKKF supports initiatives across education, healthcare, skill development, women empowerment, environmental sustainability, rural development and community welfare.
Source: SVAR Media Network
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