Times Now is all set to hold the Amazing Indians Awards 2026 on September 30 in New Delhi, celebrating individuals whose work reflects compassion, dedication and a spirit of selfless service. The awards recognise Indians whose remarkable contributions are creating a positive impact in society and whose stories deserve recognition beyond social media. This year's nominations span diverse fields, from disability rights and education to environmental sustainability. Meet some of the individuals whose work reflects the spirit of the Amazing Indians Awards. Karthikeyan Ganesan, 43, brings 26 years of experience in social work to his role as Founder and Director of Srishti Foundation in Konamangalam Village, Tindivanam Taluk, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. He holds an M.Sc. and M.Phil. in Psychology and a B.Ed. in Special Education, giving his work a strong foundation in psychology and disability education. Through Srishti Foundation, Ganesan has worked towards supporting underserved communities, with inclusion and access to support forming an important part of his work. Amit Shantaram Bane, 51, has spent three decades in social service across Maharashtra. A graduate, he serves as Chief Trustee of Matoshree Sevadham Arogya Seva Trust (MAST INDIA). His work through the trust has centred on extending support to people and communities in need. With 30 years in the social sector, Bane's journey reflects a long association with social welfare and efforts aimed at making care and support more accessible. At 27, Abhijeet Anand Pokharnikar represents a younger generation of social workers using education as a vehicle for change. A BBA-CA graduate with LLB and LLM degrees, he founded Dada Chi Shala Educational Trust in Pune. Pokharnikar has six years of experience in social service, during which his work has focused on education and learning initiatives. His combination of legal and business education with social work has shaped his approach to building opportunities through learning. Gopinath Paul, 48, has devoted 19 years to social service, with his work taking him across several parts of West Bengal. A Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) graduate, he is the Secretary of Birati Globe Vision Society. The organisation works across Birati in North 24 Parganas, Gangatukuri in Purba Bardhaman and the Sundarbans in North 24 Parganas. Paul's work has involved initiatives focused on education and development, bringing learning opportunities to communities across varied urban and rural settings. For Ubaidur Rahman, 38, social service has been a journey spanning 11 years, with education and learning forming a key part of his work. Based in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Rahman is the Founder and Director of RAH Foundation. Through the organisation, he has worked on initiatives centred on learning and development. His experience in the social sector has placed him in a position to work closely with communities and pursue initiatives aimed at expanding educational opportunities. In Spiti Valley, where access to services can be shaped by the region's remote terrain, Portia Putatunda, 38, has made education central to her social work. A Bachelor of Media Science graduate, she is the Founder of Planet Spiti Foundation and School Director at Rewa Buddhist Model School in Rongthong, Kaza, Himachal Pradesh. With five years of experience in social service, Putatunda's work is focused on education in the Himalayan region, using schools as spaces for children's learning and development. Moharana Choudhary, 39, brings 14 years of social-service experience to his work in the environmental sector. Currently pursuing a PhD, he serves as Research Coordinator at Voice of Environment. His role combines research with environmental initiatives, giving him an opportunity to examine ecological concerns through an academic and research-oriented lens. Choudhary's work reflects the intersection of research and environmental action, with sustainability forming a central theme of his professional journey. Rahul Nagnath Kawde, 32, has spent five years in social service, choosing environmental work as his area of focus. An MA in Sociology, he is the Founder and President of Swachha Vasundhara Abhiyaan. His academic training in sociology and his work with the organisation have brought social and environmental concerns together. Through his NGO, Kawde has been involved in efforts promoting cleaner surroundings and greater responsibility towards the environment. With 16 years of experience in social service, Stalin Dayanand, 62, has built his work around environmental and public-interest issues. A PhD scholar, he is the Director of Vanashakti, an NGO based in Bhandup, Mumbai. His work has involved environmental advocacy and issues surrounding the protection of natural spaces. Over the years, Dayanand has remained engaged with questions of conservation and urban development, bringing environmental concerns into the public sphere. Sneha Shahi, 29, has spent seven years i