Mumbai: Ample Mission Awards 2025 Honours Unsung Heroes Across Defence, Civic And Cultural Fields

**Ample Mission Awards of Inspiration 2025 Honours Unsung Heroes Across Defence, Civil Services, and Culture**

On Saturday, the Ample Mission Awards of Inspiration 2025 celebrated an array of extraordinary individuals, including a Kargil war veteran, an army doctor from the 1971 Indo-Pak War, a defence technologist, and a policeman who played a pivotal role during the 26/11 terror attacks. These awards recognise unsung heroes who have made significant contributions to the nation.

### Platform for Unsung Heroes

Founded in 2014 by philanthropist and industrialist Dr. Aneel Kashi Murarka, the Ample Mission Awards provide a unique platform to honour the silent champions across various fields in India. The awards highlight stories of courage, dedication, and service that often go unnoticed.

### Defence and Military Honourees

Among the distinguished awardees were:

– **Captain Pradeep Pattanaik**, a Kargil war veteran noted for his extraordinary bravery under intense shelling.
– **Dr (Captain) Kanta Mukherjee**, who rendered life-saving medical care to soldiers during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
– **Lt Col Manoj Kumar Sinha**, dedicated to mentoring India’s youth with a focus on leadership and patriotism.
– **Lt Cdr Nidhi Taneja**, a navy veteran, mountaineer, and trainer inspiring young women to pursue careers in defence.
– **Cdr Vijay Pratap Singh**, a Kargil hero turned defence technologist contributing to India’s military advancements.
– **Group Captain Yogesh Pai**, a pilot and mentor known for his leadership in the air force.
– **Flying Officer Itisha Chauhan**, who managed critical air operations during the Kargil conflict.

### Bravery in Civil Services

The awards also recognised exceptional courage in civil services:

– **Assistant Sub-Inspector Mangesh Naik**, honoured for risking his life during the 26/11 terror attacks and playing a major role in capturing the only surviving terrorist, Ajmal Kasab.
– **Naulesh Kumar** of the Coast Guard, lauded for leading a daring night-time rescue at sea.
– **Deputy Commandant Bhupender Singh**, celebrated for his analytical thinking and courage in averting a potential maritime disaster.

### Cultural and Civic Contributions

Beyond uniformed services, the awards acknowledged remarkable contributions in culture, media, and civic activism:

– Radio jockeys **Devangana Chauhan** and **Salil Acharya** were honoured for their impactful work in radio and media.
– **Brinda Miller**, an artist and cultural innovator, recognised for her visionary leadership of the Kala Ghoda Festival.
– **Dr Udaykumar Shiroorkar**, a lawyer and activist committed to social causes.
– **Anita Patil**, the first woman field director of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, celebrated for her conservation efforts.
– **Nazim Shaikh**, hailed for heroism in saving lives during a boat capsize near the Gateway of India.

Additionally, officers from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Mumbai Airport were recognised for their vigilance and integrity in safeguarding millions of passengers daily. These included Sub-Inspectors **Narendra Mohan Sharma** and **Razia Sultan**, Head Constables **C Amit Kumar** and **Dinesh Kumar**, Assistant Sub-Inspector **Sarvin Kumar**, and Sub-Inspector **Chandra Shekhar Kumar**.

### Ceremony at KC College

The awards ceremony took place at KC College in Churchgate, Mumbai. It was attended by students who had the opportunity to draw inspiration from the real-life heroes honoured that day, underscoring the importance of courage, service, and dedication in shaping the future of the nation.

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The Ample Mission Awards continue to shine a light on the selfless efforts of individuals who embody strength and resilience, reminding us all of the power of commitment and compassion.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-ample-mission-awards-2025-honours-unsung-heroes-across-defence-civic-and-cultural-fields