YFLO Delhi hosted the Young Achievers Awards in its 22nd edition on 17th March 2026 at The Living Room, Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, recognising young women entrepreneurs and professionals from across the country who have demonstrated exceptional leadership across diverse fields.
Legacy and chief guest
Instituted by YFLO Delhi, the awards are among the earliest platforms in India dedicated to recognising young women achievers across sectors. The evening was graced by acclaimed actor Ratna Pathak Shah as Chief Guest.
Leadership and vision
The programme began with a recap of YFLO Delhi’s initiatives over the past year under the leadership of Aaradhana Dalmia, whose tenure focused on expanding the organisation’s work across research, collaboration and community-led initiatives. During her tenure, Dalmia has steered YFLO Delhi towards a sharper research-led direction, while strengthening its engagement with policy, crafts, and women’s economic participation.
Chairperson’s message
Commenting on the occasion, Aaradhana Dalmia, Chairperson 2025–2026 YFLO Delhi, said “The Young Achievers Awards celebrate women who are shaping their fields with courage, creativity and conviction. Alongside recognising these journeys, this edition also reflects our effort to engage with the realities that shape women’s opportunities today, from access to work to the survival of traditional skills and livelihoods.”
Research initiatives
The evening also saw the release of two research studies commissioned by YFLO Delhi. The first examined women’s workforce participation among educated women in Delhi, conducted in partnership with the Vedica Scholars Programme for Women. The second mapped Delhi’s crafts ecosystem, developed in collaboration with the Delhi Crafts Council.
Key findings
The research found that nearly four out of five working women in Delhi balance paid employment with unpaid caregiving responsibilities at home, highlighting the structural realities shaping women’s workforce participation. The crafts study identified a parallel concern: several traditional skills in the city are at risk of disappearing as younger generations move away from professions that no longer provide sustainable livelihoods.
Both studies were conducted with the economics research group Nikore Associates as the research partner and were formally unveiled during the evening.
Awardees
Following the research presentations, the Young Achievers Awards ceremony recognised a distinguished group of women entrepreneurs across sectors. This year’s honourees included Sasha and Kaabia Grewal, Founders, Outhouse for Fashion and Design; Vibhuti Arora, Founder, House of Beauty in Health and Wellness, Radhika Khandelwal, Renowned Chef in Hospitality; Harpreet Suri, Content Creator in Digital Creativity and Branding; Nayab Midha, Storyteller and Poet in Performing Arts; Vandita Morarka, Social Justice Leader in Social Impact, Kanika Tekriwal, Founder, Jet Set Go in Entrepreneurship, and Madhumita Agrawal, Founder, Oben Electric in Technology and Manufacturing.
Conversations and performances
The awards were presented, followed by a fireside conversation with the awardees, where they shared their personal journeys, inspirations, challenges, and perspectives on leadership and opportunities for women today. The session also featured a beautiful poetry recital by Nayab Midha, reflections on life and career by Ratna Pathak Shah, and a powerful perspective from Harpreet Suri on empowering mothers.
Leadership transition
The evening also featured the Change of Guard ceremony, marking the transition of leadership to the incoming YFLO Delhi team. Dr Tanya Nijhawan, the incoming Chairperson, was formally felicitated during the ceremony.
Exhibitions and initiatives
Installations across the venue highlighted YFLO Delhi’s work over the past year, including insights from the newly released studies and demonstrations by craft practitioners who contributed to the crafts ecosystem research. The evening also spotlighted YFLO Delhi’s social initiatives in women’s health, menstrual hygiene awareness, and community engagement with craft practitioners.
