President Kovind presents Nari Shakti Puraskar for 2020 & 2021 on International Women’s Day
Highlight
- The award recognizes exceptional contributions made by individuals and institutions
- The award celebrates women as game-changers and catalysts of positive change in society
On International Women’s Day on Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Nari Shakti Puraskar to 29 outstanding persons for 2020 and 2021. Twenty-eight awards – 14 each for 2020 and 2021 – were given to women for their exceptional work. Towards women empowerment, especially the vulnerable and marginalised.
Nari Shakti Puraskar is a Ministry of Women and Child Development initiative that recognizes exceptional contributions made by individuals and institutions, and celebrates women as game-changers and catalysts of positive change in society.
Its recipients are from fields such as entrepreneurship, agriculture, innovation, social work, education and literature, linguistics, arts and crafts, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), disability rights, merchant navy and wildlife conservation.
The latest award winners include social entrepreneur Anita Gupta, organic farmer and tribal activist Ushaben Dineshbhai Vasava, innovator Nasira Akhtar, Intel-India chief Nivruti Rai, Down syndrome-affected Kathak dancer Sayli Nandkishore Agwane, first female snake rescuer Vanitha Jagdev Borade and mathematician Neena Gupta. Huh.
On the eve of International Women’s Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with these awardees and said that the success of government efforts like Vocal for Local depends on the contribution of women.
PM Modi also said that it is important to ensure that all women become a part of decision making at the family level which will result in their economic empowerment.