🌿 She Gave Voice to Those Who Had None — Honouring Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi — Mother Teresa International Award 2026

"Compassion is not a weakness. It is the most powerful force for change the world has ever known."

Some people choose comfort. Some choose power. And then there are those rare, remarkable souls who choose — above all else — to serve. We are profoundly honoured to celebrate Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi as a distinguished recipient of the Mother Teresa International Award 2026. 🕊️

For over four decades, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi has stood at the intersection of courage and compassion — fighting battles that few were willing to fight, and championing causes that the powerful often chose to ignore. Smt. Gandhi did not just enter politics to govern — she entered to protect, to reform, and to give dignity to every living being, human or animal.

In 1992, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi founded People For Animals (PFA) — today, India's largest and most impactful animal welfare organisation, with over 35 rescue shelters spread across the country. Under her tireless and devoted leadership, PFA has rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed hundreds of thousands of animals across India. Smt. Gandhi was the driving force behind establishing India's dedicated Animal Welfare Ministry — a first of its kind in the world — and served as its pioneering Minister, embedding animal rights into the very framework of governance.

But Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi's heart has always been wide enough for everyone. As Minister for Women and Child Development, she launched the iCall helpline — a lifeline for women in distress. She simplified India's adoption processes, making it easier for children to find loving homes. She restructured support systems for persons with disabilities and pushed relentlessly for the welfare of street children, trafficking survivors, and marginalised communities.

She even took India's environmental commitment to the global stage, playing a vital role in negotiations around the Montreal Protocol, standing firm for our planet when it mattered most.

The Mother Teresa International Award is given to those who choose compassion when the world offers easier paths. Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi has never chosen the easier path. She has always chosen the right one.Congratulations, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi.

In every shelter built, every law passed, and every life saved — Mother Teresa's spirit lives on through you. 🌿

Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, founder of People For Animals and former Minister for Women and Child Development, receiving the Mother Teresa International Award 2026