In a rare and prestigious honour, Varsha Deshpande — a grass roots crusader for women’s rights and gender justice — has joined the exalted ranks of Indira Gandhi and JRD Tata as a recipient of the United Nations Population Award, one of the world’s highest recognitions for contributions to population and reproductive health.

Deshpande, founder and secretary of Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, becomes only the third Indian individual in history to receive this honour, following in the footsteps of India’s first woman Prime Minister (1983) and the legendary industrialist-philanthropist (1992). Now in its 40th year, the award celebrates Deshpande’s tireless work spanning over three decades, challenging gender-biased sex selection, empowering marginalised women, and advocating for reproductive rights.

A bold voice from the grassroots, Deshpande has transformed local activism into national impact, leading campaigns to curb gender-based violence, fight discrimination, and push for legal reforms. Her organisation, founded in 1990, has empowered Dalit and working-class women through vocational training, legal literacy, financial independence, and better access to state services.