As we do every year for our exclusive awards issue, You & I takes a look at the best-of-the-best from every walk of life. Here’s to recognising those who most deserve it. Check out these terrific winners! – Sumana and Devanshi
Dr Prathap C. Reddy – Mentor of the Year
For Mentor of the Year award this year, we chose none other than Dr Prathap Chandra Reddy, the founder of the legendary Apollo Hospitals. On the list of the top 50 most powerful people in the country, India Today ranked him 48th, in 2017! The esteemed doctor was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1991, and then the Padma Vibhushan in 2010. His remarkable mentoring is evident in his four daughters, Preetha Reddy, Suneeta Reddy, Sangita Reddy, and Shobana Kamineni, who are all directors at Apollo Hospitals.
B.V.R. Mohan Reddy – Businessman of the Year
An Indian business executive and engineering manager, the enigmatic B.V.R. Mohan Reddy founded, and was the executive chairman of Cyient – a global engineering and technology solutions company. Having studied in Kanpur and Michigan, he also has an honorary Ph.D. from JNTU in Hyderabad. He has received numerous awards, from Entrepreneur of the Year in 1992 by the Hyderabad Management Association, to Padma Shri in 2017 by the Indian government. Quite the force in the business industry!
Meera Singh – Businessperson of the Year
Meera Singh, chief brand custodian at Gati Kintetsu Express, and the founder and CEO of Avaan Excess Baggage at Avaan India, is the top pick for our businessperson of the year! Having been with Gati since its inception, she was quite instrumental in making the brand one of the most admired in the logistics industry. Working closely with her husband Mahendra Agarwal, the founder and CEO of Gati, she is an inspiration to us all!
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Ajaypal Singh Banga – CEO of the Year
The CEO of Mastercard, Ajaypal Singh Banga is also the chairman of the US-India Business Council (USIBC), and a member of the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum. The Padma Shri awardee did his schooling in Hyderabad, Delhi, and Ahemadabad, and began his career with Nestlé India. He’s certainly a worthy recipient of this award!
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Dr Senthil J. Rajapa – Doctor of the Year
With a DM in medical oncology from the esteemed Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bangalore, Dr Senthil J. Rajappa was a consultant in Apollo Hospitals in Chennai and Vijayawada. He went on to become the senior consultant and head of department at the medical oncology department in Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute. A leading force in the fight against cancer, he is undoubtedly very deserving of this award.
Jayanti Reddy – Designer of the Year
Designer Jayanti Reddy has stolen our hearts yet again with her naturally dyed, hand-woven textiles embellished with intricate hand embroidery – a few gorgeous creations from her label. With a business administration and marketing degree from Ohio, she launched her label in 2012, with little formal training in fashion. Being self-taught, she wasn’t bound to any rules, and was free to let her wonderful creative juices flow.
Mahesh Babu – Most Desirable Man of the Year
The one, the only, Mahesh Babu – our sole choice for most desirable man of the year! We don’t need to tell you anything about him, you already know! An actor, producer, media personality, and philanthropist, he owns G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment Pvt Ltd., the production house. One of the most popular actors in southern India, he earned the 12th position on Times’ 50 Most Desirable Men in India for the year 2010, 5th in 2011, 2nd in 2012, and finally, first in 2013! He was even added to the Forever Desirable list, along with Bollywood stars like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan.
Asmita and Harvesh Marwaha – Best Dressed Couple of the Year
Fashion designer Asmita Marwa has been rated by Vogue as one of the top up-and-coming international designers. She began designing clothes in Hyderabad in the 1990s, and was the first Hyderabadi designer to enter the Telugu film industry. Asmita is always seen in the best outfits; be it boho, red carpet, funky, leisure or traditional, she can style it all! A chartered accountant by profession, Harvesh Marwaha looks dapper in whatever he wears. Together, the resort wear fashion designer and the CA turn heads wherever they go!
Aamir Sharma – Best Dressed Gentleman of the Year
The director of Aamir & Hameeda Interior Designers, Aamir Sharma is a thoughtful yet dynamic designer with a great modern taste with an eclectic twist. His designs are playful and creative, and so is his personal style. Always looking his best, be it in casual or formal wear, this handsome gentleman is the perfect recipient for this award.
P.V. Sindhu – Sportsperson of the Year
P.V. Sindhu, the star of badminton is also the star of Hyderabad, and hence the recipient of our Sportsperson of the Year award. Making her international debut in 2009, Sindhu has won many medals from around the world, including the Olympics, BWF circuit, and the 2019 World Championships. The first Indian to become a world badminton champion, the sports star represented the country at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and became the first Indian badminton player to reach the finals, where she came in second! She was also awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the Padma Shri, and recently, the Padma Bhushan in January 2020.
Priya Ram – Accesserio of the Year
The owner of the eyewear brand Specta, Priya Ram hails from an old Hyderabadi family and is known for her quirky and edgy fashion style. Quite the fashionista, she always seems to have the perfect accessories for every occasion. The merchandise at her Specta store in Banjara Hills offers a glimpse into her own style, and features some great funky glasses and shades from elite and leading brands all over the world.
Swapna Sahani Mehta – Empierre of the year
Always seen sporting either a lovely pair of earrings, necklace, or even rings, Swapna Mehta is known for upcycling ancient and traditional elements into a distinctive and modern story. Not just any ordinary designer, she doesn’t follow the usual processes involved in jewellery making. Rather, she creates art by fusing elements from various vintage jewellery pieces into one, edgy, unique and stunning item. Extremely fond of vintage jewellery, her timeless designs invoke a sense of nostalgia.
Padma Somireddy – Fashionista of the Year (Ethnic)
Padma Somireddy is one lady who’s always appropriately dressed for any occasion, and manages to look like the epitome of elegance. Classy and stylish, she is often seen in beautiful sarees, stunning kurtas and other lovely ethnic wear that win her plenty of compliments. An interior designer, she’s the owner of Divine Designs (and our hearts), and as a fashion enthusiast and handloom lover, she is the perfect choice for this award!
Anushree Reddy – Young Entrepreneurof the Year (Female)
Designer Anushree Reddy is our first pick for the young entrepreneur female this year. Her line of eponymous clothing is a fusion of elegance and romance, and is fresh and young, just like her! Since her debut at the Lakme Fashion Week 2013, her fame has risen substantially. A much needed blast of fresh air in the designer world, her unique sense of style sets her apart from the rest, and proves her worthy of this award.
Deepthi Reddy – Epitome of Elegance
One of the most elegant ladies in town, Deepthi’s sweet nature and vibrant personality is what appeals to us, and to everybody in the city for that matter. Always dressed in elegant yet spectacular outfits, she certainly knows how to make a statement wherever she goes. Owing in part to her chirpy personality, she’s quite the popular figure in the city. This unbelievable mother of two is certainly our best bet at elegance!
Pooja Hegde – Actress of the Year
Actress Pooja Hegde started off as a beauty pageant contestant, where she was awarded the second runner-up prize at the Miss Universe India 2010 contest. She made her acting debut with Mugamoodi, Mysskin’s Tamil superhero film, and her Bollywood debut in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Mohenjo Daro opposite Hrithik Roshan. Her latest film with Allu Arjun, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, was quite a hit, proving that she is worthy of this award!
Allu Arjun – Actor of the Year
A superstar of the southern film industry, Allu Arjun was our first and only choice for this award! He received critical acclaim and recognition for the first time in the film Arya. Not only did the film go on to be an extraordinary commercial success, but it also earned him a Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award nomination, and he ended up getting a Special Jury award at the Nandi Awards ceremony, and two CineMAA Awards for Best Actor and Best Actor Jury. His latest action-drama, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, also received positive reviews for his acting, and so he’s a clear choice for this award!
Dia Bhandary – Fashionista of the Year (Western)
Here’s one person that we would certainly love to swap wardrobes with. The gorgeous Dia Bhandary has quite an eye for detail and all things beautiful. She’s petite, beautiful, and the envy of many women. The total package, Dia is as smart on the inside as she is striking from the outside. Helping provide a platform for luxury brands to showcase their products, she has created a niche for herself in the luxury brands industry. Dressed her best always, she makes heads turn wherever she goes, with her elegant gowns, pretty dresses, and funky outfits.
Gulnar Virk Krishna – Photogenic Face of the Year
A managing partner at HashTag Marketing, Gulnar is a sweet and charming lady! Her pretty face is what the shutter bugs seek out at every event, in hopes to capture her gorgeous essence. Her heart-warming smile is what makes every event she attends worthwhile, and she’s an absolute delight to talk to. She’s frequently featured in media all over the city, and has one of the most photogenic faces in town!
Sarita Lohiya – Paparazzi Pic of the Year (Female)
She’s in the papers, she’s in the magazines, she’s all over the net – she’s everywhere! Sarita Lohiya is our paparazzi pick of the year, and we’re sure you all agree. A well-known face among the crème de le crème of the city, her presence is noted at every event. Always dressed her best, she is often followed all around town by paparazzi, who simply love clicking pictures of her.
Suryaveer Singh – Paparazzi Pic of the Year (Male)
Sommelier extraordinaire, Suryaveer Singh is the executive director at Trance Hotels and Resorts, and the founder of the Hyderabad Wine Society. With unparalleled experience in hospitality that he gained in five different countries, he frequently organises wine tasting events, which have gained quite a following in the city. Always around town and in our magazine every other week, he’s a familiar face and so well-deserving of this award!
