Mumbai: Dr. Adv. Sheela Chakraborty, an advocate, social worker and State President of the Women Cell, IHRCCO, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has been nominated for the India Republic Times – Leadership Conclave Mumbai 2026’s Bharat Shreshtha Ratna Sanman (BSRS). The nomination recognises her sustained contribution to social work, women’s empowerment, human rights and community service over the past 11 years.
Sheela Chakraborty’s journey in social work began approximately 11 years ago, long before her work received national recognition. Her involvement has been driven by a commitment to support people, promote dignity and encourage women to understand and stand up for their rights. Over the years, she has continued her work across different areas of community service while also building her career as an advocate.
Her journey gained wider recognition in 2023 when she received her first National Social Worker Award in New Delhi. The same year, she was honoured with the Super Woman Award. Her contribution to social work continued to receive recognition in the following years, with National Social Worker Awards in 2024 and 2025. This made her a three-time consecutive recipient of the National Social Worker Award.
In 2026, another milestone was added to her journey when she was conferred an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in Social Work and Leadership at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. For Sheela, these recognitions represent not only personal achievements but also a responsibility to continue contributing to society.
Alongside social work and advocacy, Sheela has maintained a strong association with martial arts. She holds an Honorary Black Belt in Karate and has supported and co-organised Karate tournaments in Port Blair. Her association with the field has also taken her to international Karate championships and events in the USA, South Africa, Japan and Singapore.
Sheela’s professional journey extends into the creative field as well. She runs Chakraborty Films Production, with upcoming music videos and feature films. Her diverse interests reflect her belief that social contribution can take different forms, from advocacy and community service to creative expression and awareness.
Born and raised in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Sheela has also placed strong importance on family. Married to advocate Anup Chakraborty, she has continued to develop her own professional identity while fulfilling her responsibilities as a wife and mother. She is also a constant source of encouragement to her son, Anusheel Chakrabarty, an actor, international Karate champion and martial artist.
Her nomination for the Bharat Shreshtha Ratna Sanman 2026 comes at a stage when her work spans advocacy, social service, women’s empowerment and leadership. Rather than viewing recognition as the destination, Sheela considers it an encouragement to continue serving with greater responsibility.
Speaking about her journey, she emphasises that true strength is not defined by titles or awards, but by the difference a person can make in the lives of others. She hopes her journey will encourage women to believe in themselves, understand their rights and not allow age, circumstances or challenges to restrict their potential.
The Bharat Shreshtha Ratna Sanman nomination therefore marks another milestone in an 11-year journey that began with service and gradually earned wider recognition. Her story reflects a simple principle: meaningful work often begins quietly, and recognition follows when that work creates a lasting impact.
