Bengaluru, Oct 30 (PTI) A documentary titled ‘Mothers of Courage’, based on a women-led grassroots movement to promote girls’ education in Bihar, has won the 2026 United Nations SDG Action Award in the Creativity category.
The award was presented at the ‘Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards’ ceremony held in Rome on October 29. The film was selected from over 7,000 applications representing 190 countries and territories, Shikshagraha said in a statement.
According to the statement, the documentary is part of Shikshagraha, a people-powered movement to strengthen public education, championed by Infosys co-founder and former CEO S D Shibulal. It is supported by Bengaluru-based non-profits ShikshaLokam and Mantra4Change.
The initiative has mobilised over 1.19 million citizens across 14 districts in Bihar, it said.
The documentary showcases women challenging social norms to promote girls’ education, with mothers and mothers-in-law supporting girls in continuing or resuming their studies.
The movement operates through ‘Shiksha Chaupals’, community gatherings where residents discuss barriers such as child marriage.
Since October 2024, over 51,078 such gatherings have been held across 14 districts. The initiative has also expanded to Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.
Shibulal, Co-founder and former CEO, Infosys, and Founder, ShikshaLokam, said, that the recognition goes beyond an award for a film or a campaign.
“It recognises community-led efforts to transform education, adding that strengthening public education requires coordinated efforts by governments, civil society, communities and philanthropic organisations,” Shibulal said.
Directed by Vandana R Jaikumar and produced by Butterfly Effect Media, the film has also won Best Inspirational Film at the Los Angeles Film Awards 2026 and received recognition at the ABBY and SABRE awards, the statement added.
(PTI News)
