History was made under a canopy of lights and resilience as the South Asian Foundation Australia (SAFA) hosted the inaugural South Asian Women Business Awards—a first-of-its-kind global initiative celebrating the brilliance, determination, and achievements of South Asian women entrepreneurs in Australia.
What began as a simple idea—to honour the unsung sheroes of the diaspora—quickly turned into a powerful movement. With over 120 nominations, the competition was fierce, but the message was clear: South Asian women are no longer waiting for a seat at the table—they’re building the table.
The glittering black-tie event, brought to life with culture, fashion, and celebration, wasn’t just an awards night. It was a declaration. From the elegant red carpet to emotional acceptance speeches, the evening echoed with stories of grit, grace, and generational change.
“Tradition once confined us to kitchens and corner offices,” said Vithyaa Thavapalan, Founder and CEO of SAFA.
“These women have rewritten that story. They’ve launched companies, built movements, and dared to dream louder than the voices that told them to stay small.”
What started seven years ago as Brown Boss Babes, a modest circle of support for South Asian women in business, has now blossomed into the South Asian Foundation Australia—a bold, inclusive platform uniting and uplifting the diaspora across the nation. These awards marked not just a celebration, but a global launch of purpose.
2025 Winners: Champions of Change
Among the many trailblazers recognised, three top accolades led the evening:
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Pragaa Ganesh
- Business Woman of the Year: Manpreet Sekhon
- Global Business Woman of the Year: Jaspreet Dhillon
And across industries—from beauty to sustainability—these women shattered norms and sparked innovation:
- Beauty: Lajeen Artistry
- Education & Training: Get Fit Janani
- Fashion: Gather & Stitch Couture
- Food: Sangee’s Kitchen
- Health: Umeed Psychology
- Not-for-Profit: Pink Sari Inc
- Performing Arts: Chandralaya School of Dance
- Professional Services: DG Dreams
- Real Estate: JK Buyers Advocate
- Retail: Behue Beauty
- Social Enterprise: Goods 4 Good
- Specialised Business: Sai Garlands
- Sustainability: Kifaayat
- Tech & Innovation: Foboh
- Wellness: Mindkshetra
Each winner carried not just a trophy, but a story of rebellion against odds and resilience through challenge.
“These aren’t just trophies,” Thavapalan concluded. “They’re statements. That our traditions evolve. That our daughters will lead. That the legacy we leave behind is built on bold choices and belief in ourselves.”
Desi Australia congratulates all the Winners and Finalists of SAWBA and wishes them good luck in their journey.
As an experienced media and communications professional, I serve as Advisor to:
-Digital Journalists Association of India (DIJAI)
-Sansad Ratna Awards, which honour top-performing Indian MPs.
-PreSense, India’s oldest volunteer-run digital magazine.
In Australia, I host shows for Radio Bollywood Beats and Friends World TV, highlighting diaspora voices and changemakers.
I am the Global Head of Partnerships and Australian Ambassador for Mission ShakthiSAT—the world’s first all-female-led space initiative—I help empower over 12,000 young women across 108 countries, with a strong focus on mentoring students in science journalism.
