Divya Gupta Kotawala Named Winner of Utkrisht Prerna Puraskar 2026 for Purpose Leadership

Some journeys are defined by professional achievement. Others acquire deeper meaning when personal adversity becomes the foundation for a larger purpose. Divya Gupta Kotawala has been named a winner of the Utkrisht Prerna Puraskar 2026 in recognition of her journey of transforming grief into purpose, while building an influential career across authorship, entrepreneurship, speaking, philanthropy and community building.

Her recognition in the category of Purpose Leadership reflects a distinctive form of leadership rooted not only in professional success but also in personal resilience and the ability to turn lived experience into meaningful conversations. Through her writing, speaking engagements, community initiatives and public work, Divya has continued to encourage people to confront difficult experiences, find their voice and transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

About Divya Gupta Kotawala

Some journeys are shaped by ambition. Others are shaped by moments that change everything. For Divya Gupta Kotawala, it was the loss of her father during the Covid pandemic that became the turning point and ultimately, the beginning of a new chapter.

A Delhi girl and proud alumna of Modern School and St. Stephen’s College, Divya has always worn multiple hats. With a background in History and Fashion Designing, she stepped into her family’s 300 year old jewellery legacy after marriage and eventually created her own brand, House of Kotawala.

At 39, while navigating the deepest grief of her life, Divya found healing through writing. Her first book, My Dad’s Daughter, began as a personal tribute to her father but soon became something much larger, a message of hope for people learning to live with loss. The book became an Amazon bestseller, selling thousands of copies and taking her story of grief, healing and purpose to readers across India and beyond.

Today, Divya is an author, entrepreneur, podcaster, speaker, philanthropist and community builder. A TEDx speaker and an empanelled speaker with Hindustan Times’ HT PACE, she regularly engages with students and young audiences, encouraging them to embrace their stories, find their voice and turn challenges into opportunities. She also served as a panel and jury member for the prestigious initiative of The NEEEV scheme, New Era of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Vision, an educational program launched by the Government of Delhi.

Her work has earned her several recognitions, including Entrepreneur Today’s 40 Under 40, Champion of the Year by Ladies Who Lead and other honours for social impact and leadership. She has also been featured across leading media platforms and serves as a jury member for Mrs. India Asia.

Through her anthology Stories of Courage, podcasting and her community #fromtheheart, Divya continues to champion conversations around grief, mental wellbeing, connection and purpose. Recently, the community was invited as community partners for the Creative Economy Forum held at PHD Chambers.

For her, success has a deeply personal definition: to live a life that would make her father proud and to turn what once broke her into something that helps others heal.

About Utkrisht Prerna Puraskar 2026

Utkrisht Prerna Puraskar 2026 recognises individuals whose journeys demonstrate meaningful achievement, contribution and inspiration. Presented by The Update India, the recognition seeks to look beyond conventional measures of success and acknowledge people whose work carries a deeper purpose and wider impact.

About the Purpose Leadership Category

Purpose Leadership recognises individuals who transform personal vision and experience into meaningful action that influences others.

Divya Gupta Kotawala embodies this idea through her journey from grief to authorship, entrepreneurship, community building and public engagement, creating a message of resilience and purpose that reaches far beyond her own story.

Conclusion

The recognition of Divya Gupta Kotawala as a Utkrisht Prerna Puraskar 2026 winner in Purpose Leadership celebrates a journey where personal adversity became a source of strength and service.

Her story illustrates that leadership can emerge from deeply human experiences. Through her books, conversations, community initiatives and public engagements, Divya continues to turn grief into purpose and personal experience into a source of encouragement for others.