Writer awarded for book on gas tragedy

Noted Hindi writer Swati Tiwari has received 'National ladli Media and Advertising Award for Gender Sensitivity' for her book on the lives of widows of the Bhopal gas tragedy. Instituted by Population First, the award under non-fiction category was presented to the Bhopal-based author at a function in Mumbai on March 20 by Counsel General of Canada Richard Bale in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, a release said. Tiwari's book Sawaal Aaj Bhi Zinda Hai presents that the Bhopal gas disaster was not just a tragedy for Bhopal, but for the entire nation.

It chronicles the lives of women, who have been and continue to be the worst-hit victims of the tragedy.  The book also highlights the irony that medical card holds more importance than a ration card for these victims. It also details the dire straits of women in 'Widow Colony', now renamed as 'Jeevan Jyoti' colony, and also salutes the fighting spirit of Rashida Bi and Champadevi, who continue their crusade to bring justice to the survivors, the release said.

Population First, is an NGO working on population and health issues within the framework of women’s rights and social development. ‘ladli’ is Population First's flagship campaign that addresses the mindsets, which discriminate against girls and women denying or abridging their rights.