Overview
“मुश्किल है पर इतना भी नहीं, कि तू कर ना सके,
दूर है मंजिल लेकिन इतनी भी नहीं, कि तु पा ना सके,
तुम चलो तो सही, तुम चलो तो सही…”
Aparajita – “Saluting Womanhood” – is an institution celebrating and supporting women who showcase excellence and strength of purpose. She envisions a future where every woman embraces the indomitable spirit that fuels her passion.
Now more than a decade old, Aparajita was realised from conversations on a dilemma. Stories of women of all ages achieving incredible feats abound in the East of India – but they were barely talked about, much less appreciated. Aparajita is committed to support these stories with a stage, a community of achievers and tangible support. She believes in realising these women’s dreams and letting their stories give women and girls essential inspiration close to home. With time, Aparajita has scaled her influence and impact, touching the lives of stalwarts alongside unsung heroes alike. She has been endorsed by personalities such as Shri Amitabh Bachchan and Brahma Kumari Sister Shivani.
Under the patronage of Sanmarg – Eastern India’s premier Hindi daily, as well as the grace of her incredible sponsors and partners, Aparajita has championed and honoured the paths of many women toward excellence.
With each edition, Aparajita has metamorphosed into more than just a prestigious accolade. From culture to sport to education, she has bettered the lives of many deserving women. In recent editions, she has felicitated Bhagwani Devi Dagar, sponsoring the then 94-year-old for the World Masters Athletic Indoor Championship in 2023 in Poland. ‘Sprinter Dadi’ went on to win 3 gold medals for India, a Guinness World Record and has received international critical acclaim.
Aparajita has given wings to women from the sports fraternity exuding hope and soul, including Olympian Suthirtha Mukherjee, para-athlete Rakshita Raju and archer Suman Purthy. She has extended herself to pressing causes in powerful ways. From supporting the children of sex workers with New Light Foundation as her beneficiary to Laxmi Murmu Educational Institute Aparajita has very humbly contributed to the Girija Devi Charitable Trust.
Founder’s Note
Ruchika Gupta
Founder-Guardian
In her early years, Aparajita was inspired by stories of women who broke through expectations and circumstances to effect meaningful change in their fields. She worked to bestow awards on them and honour them, humbly, with the pride she felt at their life’s work. With each edition, her pool of teachers, supporters and advisors has grown, stretching the boundaries of her mission and influence.
Nurturer’s Note
Visshnupriya
Chief Nurturer
As I sit down to reflect on what Aparajita truly means to me, words seem inadequate to capture my strong attachment to her. My relationship with Aparajita is that of a friend I deeply care about, who has put me on a profound journey of self-realisation, growth, and strength.