For the first time in Odisha, women working in various sectors for establishment of peace in the country will be conferred with the Women Peacemaker Award, introduced by the Maa Ghara Foundation Trust (MGBT), which is working for protection of women rights.
The award, which carries a cash prize of `50,000, a trophy and a citation, would be given on the occasion of the Mother’s Day on May 11, informed Maa Ghara managing trustee Rutuparna Mohanty at a Press meet here on Sunday.
Women working in conflict and in Maoist areas, on displacement and border issues would be short listed for the award, she said.
Mohanty lamented that while several social activists, journalists and administrative personnel have been continuously working towards peacemaking, there is less concern to felicitate such persons in the society. ‘Ours is a small effort to promote peace and encourage people to work towards peacemaking in the society,” added Mohanty.
Applications for the award will be received from across the country starting from April 20 till April 30. The applications can be sent through mail at maagharodisha@gmail.com or by messaging on mobile
number - 7852946110.
A 15-member panel will shortlist five candidates and the five names will go on air through the 92.7 Big FM. later, based on audience votes, the jury will select the winner for the award.
Besides, 10 mothers will also be felicitated with the Best Mother Award on the occasion. Similarly, various competitions and prize distribution programmes would be held in different branches of the trust in various districts, said Mohanty.
On the occasion, a marathon race ‘Run for Peace’ will also be held starting from the Janata Maidan to the Jayadev Bhawan. Among others, MGFT trustees Nilam Saha, Sunita Gupta, Sangita Karnani and Nabina Agrawalla were present at the Press meet.