Spotlight           

Ashima Syal Shortlisted for Global Honour Celebrating Women Empowering Through Words and Wisdom

on


In a world brimming with noise, some voices bring clarity, healing, and power. One such voice belongs to Ashima Syal, an educator, writer, and mentor from Mumbai, who has been officially shortlisted for the Tribute Global Digi Awards for Women 2025 under the Special Recognition Category: Women Empowerment Through Literature & Education.

Hosted by The Holistic Pine: International Independent Lifestyle Journal, this category honours changemakers whose journeys may not always follow traditional routes—but whose impact speaks volumes. The awards celebrate women using education, literature, and personal vision to uplift communities and spark transformation. Nominees in this category receive the same recognition as primary awardees, including a formal Prashastipatra (Letter of Citation), digital certificates, and feature stories across global platforms.

A Teacher, A Poet, A Force for Expression

Currently serving as Assistant Professor at KESS Shroff College, Mumbai, Ashima Syal teaches communication skills to undergraduate students while pursuing her Ph.D. in English Literature. Her career has always walked hand in hand with purpose. From hosting free public speaking workshops for young women at SNDT Women’s University to creating safe spaces for emotional storytelling, Ashima believes in the quiet revolution of self-expression.

Through her writing, research, and poetry, she creates platforms where voices—especially those of women—can find strength, shape, and audience. Her workshops often explore how writing can become a tool of personal liberation and social change.

“ I would always want to keep writing, women centric books, for I truly believe that pen has the power to change the world for the better,” Ashima shared. “I plan to create a writing community, and conduct workshops for every aspiring writer.”

Rooted in Heritage, Guided by Icons

Ashima’s literary and leadership sensibilities are inspired by icons like Amrita Pritam, whose poetry taught her to embrace bold vulnerability, and Indira Nooyi, whose legacy reminds her that ambition and balance can coexist. Her values echo in every classroom she enters and every poem she writes.

She envisions a society where young people—especially women—are no longer silenced by self-doubt, anxiety, or societal limitations. Whether it’s through coaching students in public speaking or nurturing creativity through expressive writing, her mission is clear: to help the next generation reclaim their voice.

What’s Next?

Ashima Syal is now one of six women shortlisted in her category, standing among an extraordinary league of changemakers from across India. A final jury review is currently underway, where her contributions—academic, literary, and social—will be evaluated based on impact, engagement, and ethical leadership.

“Our shortlist represents women who are not just professionals—they are path-shapers, educators of the soul, and builders of brave communities,” said a spokesperson from The Holistic Pine.

Winners will be officially announced later this month in The Holistic Pine, The Great Indian Review, and Writers’ Kalam Literary Bulletin.

🌿 Follow Ashima’s journey and meet other inspiring women transforming lives through literature and leadership at: www.theholisticpine.com

📣 Stay tuned for the final results and join us in celebrating stories that matter.

Comments

Post a Comment

Share your response



This Month's Top Stories

Image

New Dawn, New Blooms by Angel Mary | A Poem

A sudden gleam appeared, as I wandered in vain, Feeling like solitude, a cool breeze stirred in the quiet air, As the tides rise and fall, I endure like a beacon of light, Trapped in silence, the bird longs for the sky, I yearn to fly, Each bud that blooms whispers a promise, a hope reborn in every petal's grace, As the night grows deeper, moon beams brightly with a gentle smile, With every step I take, I carry the spirit of resilience… Angel Mary born in Kasaragod, Kerala is a dedicated poet with a deep passion for capturing the beauty of nature and the power of hope through her words. Her poetry reflects a profound connection to the natural world, often exploring themes of renewal, resilience, and the quiet strength found in everyday moments. Through her work, Angel strives to inspire readers to find light and hope, even in the darkest of times.
Image

From Ashes to Ink: Mridusmita Das and the Power of Reinvention

In the vibrant constellation of women shaping India's literary and social landscape, Mridusmita Das shines brightly—her voice compelling, compassionate, and consistently impactful. As one of the six women shortlisted for the Tribute Global Digi Awards for Women 2025 under the ‘Literary Excellence Award’ category, Mridusmita represents the embodiment of creative brilliance paired with a heart for service. In her own words: "I am humbled and honored to be nominated for the Tribute Global Digi Awards for Women 2025 under the ‘Literary Excellence Award’ category. This recognition validates my passion for storytelling and commitment to social causes where I can connect with Widows, children, animal lovers and one and all who loves and admire the greatest gift of God- this LIFE. As a writer, I have had the privilege of touching lives through my books, and this nomination motivates me to continue creating impactful narratives. To fellow women achievers, I say: never let your dreams ...
Image

Life by Mridusmita Das | A Poem

Life is a Gift of God, Every form is his prop! Precious is every breath we take, Priceless is every moment we make. Be it a beetle drenched in the morning dew, Or a butterfly cuddled to a flower to enjoy its view. The chirping of the birds, sprinkles the magic dust, The screeching of the squirrel livens one up. The leaves swaying to the rhythm of the wind, The dark clouds in the grey sky; ready to pour in. Each season, each weather, is His beautiful canvas, Every landscape, hill or mountain mesmerizes us. A baby when born is blessed unbound, He knows Life is to live and enjoy. But when baby begins to grow, ample advices flows Confusing him on the essence of life as a whole ! If we stay in love with the life we have, Days will be magical and laughter will fill our hearts God wanted us to immerse in bliss and happiness Live live as lively as it was bestowed on us Today we can promise one thing To us and to our kins Let’s spread love, kindness and peace To make the world the paradise as ...
Image

A Scholar's Odyssey: Neha Kumari's Evolution into an IAS Officer | Interview by Ankush Bharti

  Neha Kumari is a dynamic and accomplished individual who has excelled in multiple domains, from academia to public service. Holding a strong academic background with a Master of Arts in English Literature from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Neha further pursued her scholarly pursuits by completing a PhD from BHU, specialising in British and Commonwealth literature. Her dedication to academic excellence is underscored by her achievements, including clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET) with Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and qualifying the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in 2021.  Notably, Neha's intellectual curiosity extends beyond the realms of literature, as evidenced by her success in the competitive arena of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), where she attained Grade A in 2022. However, her journey doesn't end there. In 2023, Neha achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a coveted position in the Indian Administrative Service (I...
Image

From Amritsar to Hollywood: The Inspiring Journey that Caught Will Smith's Eye

By Ankush Bharti  In the vast sea of social media, where countless stories flicker across screens, some tales stand out, capturing hearts and attention in unexpected ways. Such is the story of a soft-spoken, humble artist from Amritsar, the land of the Golden Temple in India, whose life took an extraordinary turn when her work caught the eye of none other than Hollywood icon Will Smith. It all began on a casual scroll through Instagram reels, where amidst the flurry of content, a particular deal shared by Will Smith piqued curiosity. To the astonishment of many, the artwork featured was crafted by an Indian artist. Intrigued, deeper exploration revealed the viral sensation behind the masterpiece. Meet Kawaljeet Kaur, a God-gifted talent who hadn't received formal training in her craft initially. From a tender age, she found solace and expression through art, a passion that burned brightly within her. Despite her innate talent, she chose to pursue higher education, obtaining a maste...
Image

Finding Beauty in Resilience: Sommya Jain's Story of Success | Ankush Bharti

by Ankush Bharti  In this exclusive interview, we delve into the remarkable journey of Sommya Jain, from being diagnosed with Haemangioma at a young age to overcoming countless obstacles and emerging as a successful social media influencer and dancer. Sommya shares her experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering insights into her resilience, passion for dance, and commitment to inspiring others through her story. Join us as we explore the incredible transformation and unwavering spirit of this extraordinary individual. Can you share with us your journey from being diagnosed with Haemangioma to becoming a successful social media influencer and dancer? Well, to know the entire story, you need to read my autobiography book, which I am going to launch soon but to give you details in short:- I was just nine years old when I was diagnosed with a large Haemangioma on my right cheek, I was about to take part in the very famous show of the time named Boogie Boogie as I was born dan...
Image

When a Mother Picks Up the Pen: Kerala’s Bhavya Shree is Writing What India Feels

In the heart of Kerala, a quiet yet powerful voice has emerged from the most personal corners of womanhood, motherhood, and memory. Bhavya Shree, one of the six shortlisted candidates for the Tribute Global Digi Awards for Women 2025 by The Holistic Pine, exemplifies how literature can be a source of healing, courage, and transformation. In this feature, we share Bhavya’s story in her own words—a reflection not just of her growth as a writer, but also a testament to the healing power of vulnerability, language, and lived experience. Her testimony resonates like poetry itself—delicate, raw, and quietly defiant. With Ink and Soul: My Journey as a Writer I was born and brought up in a realistic, conservative, middle-class family, where my parents didn’t have much formal education—but they educated me with a life syllabus that no school could offer. Like many 90s kids, I did my schooling under the state syllabus (Malayalam medium), and I struggled with language barriers. I began writing du...
Image

Call for Submissions: The Holistic Pine Opens Submissions for Weekly Vichar

Introducing "Weekly Vichar": A Thought a Week. A Voice Forever. The Holistic Pine  proudly launches its newest open-genre submission series —  Weekly Vichar  — a vibrant, theme-driven writing project that invites voices from across India and beyond to reflect, write, and get published every single week. In a world rushing forward,  Weekly Vichar  offers a moment of thoughtful pause — a space where writers, poets, thinkers, and everyday observers of life can respond to a new idea or theme every week, in any genre or style. Whether your thoughts arrive as poetry, prose, reflections, letters, or lyrical essays, your expression is welcome here. Each Sunday,  The Holistic Pine  announces a fresh  Vichar  — a theme or thought — as an invitation to engage, reflect, and write. Writers are given a full week to shape their response and submit it for publication. 🔹  What Makes Weekly Vichar Unique? No word or line limits.  Your expression is ...
Image

Angel with Wings on Fire by Eshita Singh | A Poem

I am chaos, A storm in silence, An angel with wings ablaze— Burning, Crackling through skies that once held my hope. Oh my God, it hurts. This fire—it’s not light. It’s pain dressed as perseverance, Flames licking the edges Of a soul still trying to believe. They say self-love is the cure. I’ve read it in books, Whispered it in the dark, Held it like a fragile truth in trembling hands— But still, my reservoir runs dry. My inner child cries, And I have nothing left to give. People talk. They mock, they doubt, They crush the pieces I rebuild every day. And I ask the stars— Am I destined to fail? Even when I bleed effort Like a warrior chasing light? Success? If it’s here, It stands on a mountain of ashes— The remains of my dreams And the ghosts of all I gave. I am trying. Each day I rise, Each breath I take, Is a prayer wrapped in grit. But still… It feels like I am not enough— Not for them, Not for love, Not even for me. This fire, It consumes. It rages inside, And I fear it will take a...
Image

Sindhutai Sapkal

“Don't fear the darkness of the night, wait for the dawn, one day your day will shine” “You have two hands, One to Help Yourself and Second to Help Others." Sou. Sindhutai Sapkal, also referred to as Mother of Orphans, is an Indian social worker and activist who is primarily recognised for her support of raising orphan children. Birth and Education: Sapkal was born on November 14,1948 to a cow-herder named Abhimanyu Sathe in the village of Pimpri Meghe in the Wardha district of the previously known Central Provinces and Berar of India. She was referred to as Chindhi since she was an undesired child (Marathi for "piece of rag"). Despite her mother's protests, her father was determined to get Sindhutai an education. Under the pretext of cow grazing, Abhimanyu ji used to send her to school, where she would use "leaves of the Bharadi Tree" as a slate because she couldn't purchase a real slate for economical reasons. After she completed the fourth grade,...