Icon of India Award to PAWS Founder...
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Nilesh Bhanage
Nov 23, 2025, 11:40:27 PM11/23/25
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The 'Icon of India' award for this year 2025, has been announced by the Times Applaud Foundation, Mumbai, in the 'Wildlife Rehabilitation' category to Dr. Nilesh Bhanage, founder of the PAWS organization.
The awards are given to individuals, groups and outstanding industry organizations and corporations in India's leading business, arts, cultural, health, environment and social service sectors.This year's awards ceremony was held at Ginger Hotel Santa Cruz on November 22. Actress Divya Khosla was the chief guest at the awards ceremony.
Nilesh Bhanage is primarily known as an animal welfare activist and wildlife conservationist, as well as the founder of the Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). He has been working for animal welfare for the past 27 years.
PAWS was founded by Bhanage in 2001 in Thane district.
Scope: His organization works to take care of stray animals, provide them with medical assistance, and stop cruelty to animals.
International recognition: He has been nominated for an honorary doctorate by the Academic Council of Washington Digital University for his contributions to animal welfare.
Elephant Conservation: He is also a researcher in elephant conservation and has presented his research on elephants to global experts at the 'WARN Asia' conference in Thailand.
PAWS is known as the oldest wildlife organization in Thane district and started the First animal ambulance in Thane district.In 2005, his organization was recorded in the Limca Book of Records as the youngest animal welfare organization in India. Till now, Nilesh has received various awards from various Rotary, Innerwheel Clubs, and social organizations.
His organization is celebrating its silver jubilee next year. He has also received the Icon of Asia award in Year 2022.
Nilesh Bhanage expressed his opinion that this award does not belong to him alone, but to entire PAWS team who have worked shoulder to shoulder with him in wildlife rehabilitation for the past twenty-five years.
Regards,
Dr. Nilesh Bhanage (Hon.)
Founder - PAWS
Dr. Nilesh Bhanage (Hon.)
Founder - PAWS
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