Women officers from IAS, PCS and PPS serving in different districts of the State and having served in Haridwar district in various administrative and policing capacities were honoured in Nari Shakti Samman Mahotsav hosted by the SIIDCUl Industrial Association at BHEl auditorium for their contribution towards the society while dispensing their assigned duties.
The twin sisters who were SDMs of Rurdraprayag and Rudrapur Yukta Mishra and Mukta Mishra were awarded with State level award along with 24 other women officials.
Presiding over the function as the chief guest, a member of National Women Commission Sushma Sahu narrated her own struggles in life, how she was abandoned by her in-laws when she was expecting a child and how she overcame the obstacles to rear her own daughter who was now studying in US on fellowship.
She admitted that not much had changed in the mindset of the men regarding respecting women, since she herself was facing hordes of complaints of sexual harassment each passing day. She said that women must stand up to the atrocities and speak up for their rights.
The District Magistrate of Haridwar Deepak Rawat said “the latest census showing skewing sex ratio was a matter of concern and women must speak up if they are forced to abort the child in womb by in-laws.The laws are there to safeguard their rights,” he said.
The president of SIIDCUl Industrial Association Arun Saraswat expressed his concerns for the rising atrocities against women. Two poor girls were given 'Saraswat Samman' worth Rs 5000 each for their higher education after school.
At district level, CDO Swati Bhadauria received 'Bhagirathi Gaurav Samman' while CBCID SP Shweta Chowbey was given 'Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman for her outstanding services at the State level. Udyog Samman was given to Akums from SIIDCUl and 'Nari Shradha Samman’ to Anchor Panasonic for giving maximum women employment in the industrial area. Disaster management officer Meera Kaintura also received appreciation award.
Noted scholar in Hindi literature Naresh Mohan recited poems on women power. The recipient of ‘Nari Prerna samman’, Garima Chaddha who was awarded for women empowerment in the field of art and handicrafts said that she was consistent in her efforts to help the poor girls earn livelihood by making paper craft jewellery and best out of waste items.
Shweta Saraswat, Simran Bagga, Kavita and Bijal Mattoo were awarded for their dedication in teaching the children of government schools on weekends. Self-defence coach and recipient of ‘Uttarakhand Khel Pratibha Samman’ Arti Saini from Jagjeetpur gave a live demo of martial arts with her students during the Mahotsav. Neera Kaushik and Manisha were honoured too for promoting Indian classical dance.