CNN-News18 successfully concludes the 12th edition of 'Indian of the Year Awards'

CNN-News18 hosted CNN-News 18 Indian of the Year (IOTY) Awards 2022 on October 12. The 12th glorious edition of this awards property was organised in Delhi.

A constellation of changemakers across sports, entertainment, politics, start-ups, social change, and climate, along with eminent political personalities, graced the grand event.

This year, the network has introduced climate warrior as a category to honour the indomitable spirit of environmentalists across the country. Furthermore, select personalities from social welfare, sports, and entertainment received special achievement awards for their legacies in respective fields.

The ceremony commenced on a melodious note with an earthy performance by Rajasthani folk artist, Mame Khan. Zakka Jacob, managing editor, CNN-News18, welcomed the audience to the first post-pandemic physical awards ceremony of IOTY.

“The Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the event by felicitating Mr. Marimuthu Yoganathan, respectfully known as ‘The Tree Man’, with the IOTY 2022 climate warrior award,” Jacob said.

Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development, said, “It’s a great honour to be on this stage with so many dignitaries. This is an evening of celebrations and excellence. I congratulate all the eminent personalities for winning this coveted award.”

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, who felicitated Dr Gowda for the social change category, said, “It is really great for Dr. Shankare Gowda to master the subject of ethics. It is indeed a subject in a medical degree course which can’t be taught better by any philosophy. Those who work for the poor sections of the society will always be rewarded duly by God. All doctors should think on these lines and explore opportunities to charge patients reasonably.”

Anurag Thakur, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, who felicitated Neeraj Chopra, maintained that the humility in the athlete, even after ending a 121-year-long dry spell for Indian Olympics in track and field, will help him achieve spectacular highs in his pursuits.

While felicitating tennis legend Sania Mirza, he said, “It’s not easy to shine for two decades in global sports. Through sheer dedication, discipline and determination, Sania Mirza has achieved what no other women athlete has till date, from the Indian soil. By taking up a sport that was nowhere as popular as cricket twenty years before, Sania has inspired countless girls to wield the racket with confidence.”

The magnanimous event concluded with an on-stage camaraderie between superstar Ranveer Singh, cricket legend Kapil Dev, and athlete Neeraj Chopra.

Dev said, “India is evolving fast when it comes to sports, and we should give equal attention and focus to every other sport, just like cricket, to nurture the champions of tomorrow.”

Winners under different categories include -

• CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2022: Neeraj Chopra
• Sports: Neeraj Chopra
• Entertainment: Allu Arjun for Pushpa: The Rise
• Politics: UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath
• Start-ups: Sridhar Vembu, co-founder and CEO, Zoho
• Social Change: Dr Shankare Gowda - The five-rupee doctor from Mandya, Karnataka
• Climate Change: Marimuthu Yoganathan, Bus Conductor from Tamil Nadu, as Climate Warrior
• Special Achievement Award: Kulsum Shadab, executive director, Hothur Foundation
• Special Achievement Award: Sonu Sood
• CNN-News18 Outstanding achievement award: Sania Mirza
• Outstanding achievement Award: Ranveer Singh for 83

Info@BestMediaInfo.com