New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) On the International Women's Day on Friday, President Ram Nath Kovind gave away Nari Shakti Puraskar,2018 to 40 women achievers, including scientists, social activists, artisans, food processors, acid survivors and from armed forces.
In an echo of the national mood after the recent air strike across the LoC with Pakistan, the loudest cheers went to first woman marine pilot Reshma Nilofer Naha, the only woman commando trainer in India Seema Rao and DRDO developer of bullet-proof jackets Ipsita Biswas.
Among those present at the function held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here, were Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi.
Uttar Pradesh Minister for Women and Child Welfare Rita Bahuguna Joshi and an associate received the award for One Stop Centre (Sakhi) Lucknow, being run by the Uttar Pradesh government, for women affected by violence.
Among the award winners were designer of eco-friendly buildings Delia Narayan Contractor, Brahmakumari Sister Shivani, innovator of breast cancer screening device A Seema, cooperative bank founder Chetna Gala Sinha, reviver of crafts Lalita Vakil, international-level swimmer Meenakshi Pahuja, animal activist Mini Vasudevan, scientist Munuswamy Shanti, DD news anchor Neelam Sharma, environmental conservationist Nomita Kamdar, rural activist Pamela Chatterjee and Maharashtrian woman farmer Rahilbai Soma Popere.
The President gave away awards to 41 women achievers (one absentee) and three institutions.
Besides One Stop Centre, Lucknow, other institutions that won awards were Qasab-Kutch Craftswomen Producer Company Limited and Social Welfare and Nutrition Meal Programme Development.
UNI GP RJ 1852