Puganeswari Shanmugam was honored with the prestigious Nari Shakti Excellence Award for Leadership Development and Women Empowerment on April 3, 2026, in India. The award was presented by the Sustainable Development Council, an organization that holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, one of the principal institutions driving global progress in sustainable development, gender equality, and education.
This recognition highlights Puganeswari’s significant contributions to leadership development and her unwavering commitment to empowering women and communities. It also reflects her strong academic foundation and intellectual contributions, which have played a key role in shaping her advocacy work and community initiatives.
In a statement on social media, Puganeswari shared that balancing her roles as a mother, academic, and advocate for social transformation has been a journey marked by resilience and purpose. Despite the challenges of managing personal and professional responsibilities, she has stayed motivated in her mission to create meaningful and sustainable change, particularly in advancing opportunities for women.
As the leader of Penn Shakti at the Sri Murugan Centre, Puganeswari received congratulatory wishes from Surain Kanda, the director of the Sri Murugan Centre, who posted on the organisation’s official social media platform. Puganeswari also expressed her gratitude to Surain Kanda, national leaders, her family, and friends for their support.
This international recognition for Puganeswari serves as a testament to her lifelong dedication to education, leadership, and empowerment. Not only does it bring pride to her community and nation, but Puganeswari’s global recognition also serves as an inspiration to every woman out there.
Source: Sri Murugan Centre Facebook, Puganeswari Shanmugam Instagram
