From the age of 11yrs, Hema won the FIRST PRIZE at every music contest she contested in, for six years continuously, whether the contest was at the inter-state, national or international level, and whether the language was English, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi etc., and whether the genre was IndianClassical, Light Indian Classical, Hindi film music, Western music, or Folk,etc. Hema has accomplished the Sangeet Visharad in Indian Classical music, besides nurturing her passion for Western Pop music.

A Milestone achievement was her winning the GRAND PRIX at the 16th INTERNATIONAL POP SONG FESTIVAL '89, held in Germany, where Hema represented India.She was also awarded the 'AUDIENCE DARLING PRIZE' here, and was called 'INDIAN NIGHTINGALE' by the German Media. Competing with singers from twenty countries, she was the youngest amongst them all.

Hema was nominated 'BEST INDIAN FEMALE SINGER' for her pop album 'HINDUSTANI GUDIYA' at the CHANNEL [V] AWARDS, 1999, alongside the likes of Asha Bhosle, etc.

Hema was nominated 'BEST INDIAN FEMALE POP ALBUM' for her pop album 'PIYA SE MILKE AAYE NAIN' at the ZEE MUSIC AWARDS, 2002. She was nominated 'BEST FEMALE PLAYBACK SINGER', for her song 'HAI RE HAI RE' from the film 'KHUSHI', by the Afternoon Newspaper poles, 2003.

Hema was nominated 'BEST FEMALE PLAYBACK SINGER' for her song 'QAYAMAT ' from the film 'QAYAMAT' at the MTV IMMIES awards, 2004, alongside the likes of Asha Bhosle, Chitra etc.

In 2006 The All India Woman's Conference presented the 'GOMANT TEJASWINI AWARD' to Hema for her outstanding achievements in the music field. This award is presented every fourth year to the most deserving female International achiever.

Hema was presented the VISHALAKSHI Award for International Woman Achievers at the AoL International Woman's Conference, June '07, in Bangalore.

Hema was awarded the HIRAMANEK Award titled INTERNATIONAL WOMEN ACHIEVERS AWARD on women’s day 8th March 2011.