Kalpana Soren Wins Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award at BRICS 2026

Kalpana Soren, MLA from Gandey in Jharkhand and wife of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, received the 'Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award' at the BRICS CCI WE Annual Women Summit and Felicitation Ceremony 2026 held in New Delhi.

This honor highlights her contribution to women-led development, grassroots empowerment, and inclusive growth in Jharkhand.

Her work in the state has helped women become entrepreneurs and emerge as active contributors in society.

This award was presented at an event organized by the Women Empowerment Wing of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where her contribution to advancing women-led initiatives and community development was appreciated.

It honors individuals who have made significant contributions to empowering women at the grassroots level.

She received this honor for her continuous efforts to support women's participation in economic and social development; her primary focus has been on rural and tribal areas of Jharkhand.

BRICS CCI WE Annual Felicitation Ceremony 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award

Debjani Ghosh, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, emphasized the importance of women influencing policy-making and decision-making processes.

Former minister Meenakshi Lekhi unveiled 'Mission Shaktisat' and highlighted the growing role of women in science, technology, and space exploration.

BRICS CCI WE Annual Women Summit

At the sixth edition of the BRICS CCI Women Empowerment (WE) Annual Women Summit and Felicitation Ceremony 2026, emphasis was laid on the need to move "from conversation to action" to advance women's leadership in innovation, science, and entrepreneurship.

This three-day summit, organized by the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Women Empowerment Vertical (BRICS CCI WE), was held from March 21 to 23 on the theme "Women in Innovation, Science Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (WISE) - Inspiring Change, Shaping the Future".

The WISE initiative, launched during the BRICS WBA Annual Plenary Meeting in Rio de Janeiro in July, 2025, aims to build global partnerships and support women in leadership roles.

About BRICS

In a 2001 research paper highlighting the growth potential of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, then Goldman Sachs Chief Economist Jim O'Neill coined the term BRIC.

This group was first formed informally in 2006 during a meeting of leaders of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries at the G8 Outreach Summit held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 2009, the first BRIC (BRICS, without South Africa) summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia. In 2010, South Africa was accepted as a full member, and the group became BRICS.

In 2014, the Fortaleza Declaration was adopted at the 6th BRICS Summit, initiating the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB).

About India and BRICS

In 2021, the 13th BRICS Summit was held under India's chairmanship (virtual summit). This was the third time India hosted the BRICS Summit after 2012 and 2016.

India has assumed the BRICS presidency and will host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026.

About the "BRICS+" model

In 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates joined as full members, and later Indonesia also joined in January, 2025.

This expansion has moved the group towards the "BRICS+" model, with a primary focus on representing the economies of the Global South.