Honouring the Real Heroes of India

A hero can be defined as someone who displays courage and nobility in adversity and risks his/her life for the greater good. CNN-IBN and Reliance Foundation announced and honored 24 such individuals in the 5th Edition of ‘Real Heroes Awards’. These ordinary citizens have put forth extraordinary service to the nation by putting the society before them. They were felicitated with a trophy and a cash prize of INR 5 lakh each at a gala ceremony held at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai in the presence of the eminent personalities of India.

The grand finale will be telecast on CNN-IBN on Saturday, March 31st @ 7:00 PM, with a repeat telecast on April 1st @ 11 AM & 9:30 PM, IBN7 on Saturday, April 7th @ 8:00 PM with a repeat telecast on Sunday, April 8th @ 3:00 PM and on IBN-Lokmat on Saturday, March 31st @ 8:00 PM with a repeat telecast at Sunday, April 1st @ 10:00 AM.

These 24 Real Heroes were shortlisted by the CNN-IBN Editorial Board from across India (6 from each zone). RIL Chairman & Managing Director, Mukesh Ambani; Reliance Foundation Chairperson, Nita Ambani; actor Aamir Khan; cricket-icon Sachin Tendulkar, eminent singer Lata Mangeshkar and Actress Hema Malini all who have lent their voices to a number of social causes, were the Guests of Honour at the event.

The following 24 Real Heroes were honored for contributing towards the betterment of the society:

EAST ZONE

BERTHA G DKHAR

PABITRA RABHA

R. K. VISWAJIT SINGH

KEEPU TSERING LEPCHA

BAGHAMBAR PATTANAIK

JAYA DEVI

NORTH ZONE

TABASSUM BANO, TARANNUM BANO and RUBINA BANO

NAVIN GULIA

TSEWANG DORJEY

VIRENDRA SAM SINGH

YOGESHWAR KUMAR

MANJU SINGHANIA and JO MCGOWAN CHOPRA

WEST ZONE

MITTAL PATEL

BHARAT PATEL

VIJAY BARSE

DR. GIRISH MAHADEO KULKARNI

SINDHUTAI SAPKAL (MAI)

IRFAN AHMED

SOUTH ZONE

P. SHANTHAKUMAR

SHEEBA AMEER

C K GANGULY AND MARY VATTAMATTAM

RASIYA BHANU

KARIBEERAN PARAMESWAR and P. CHOODAMANI

KOUSALYA PERIASAMY

Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 & IBN Lokmat, said “Each one of these real heroes has performed extraordinary deeds to promote the welfare of their fellow citizens and society as a whole. They overcame every obstacle in their paths to battle the odds ranging from personal tragedy to social opposition and financial constraints. Yet their passion burns brighter than ever before and shows the path to those facing the same distress.”

Speaking on the initiative, Mrs. Nita Ambani, Chairperson, Reliance Foundation said, “It’s our responsibility to recognise these Real Heroes who believe in selflessly and silently working towards bringing about a change in the world around them. It is a privilege to honouring these wonderful individuals, who with their perseverance unknowingly inspire millions.”