Maharashtra-based Centre for Science for Villages (CSV) co-founder Dr Vibha Gupta bagged the Women Peacemaker Award-2016 at a function held on the occasion of the Mother’s Day here on Sunday. The award is instituted by the Maa Ghara Foundation.
Gupta, an eminent economist and social reformer, works for empowering rural women, farmers and artisans by reducing their dependence on exploitative forces and systems like moneylenders, market forces and the Government policies.
She mobilised over 10,000 rural women to advocate for improved sanitary conditions and water access and formed 600 Self Help Groups (SHGs) in 100 villages.
She was awarded a cash prize of Rs50,000 along with a citation and a trophy.
Receiving the award, Dr Gupta shared about her works and experiences. “I focus on water problem, food, health, income source and cottage industry for women. These five things are important for socio-economic empowerment of women,” said Gupta.
Besides, six women of Odisha were also felicitated with the Best Mother Award for working vigorously for wellbeing of women and girls. They were Tulasirani Behera of Dhenkanal, Snehalata Patel of Sundargarh, Brundabati Chapadi of Koraput, Padmini Singh of Jharsuguda, Sudhira Behera of Balangir and Bharati Ghosh of Jajpur.
A seminar on topics ‘Mahatma Gandhi and Peace’ and ‘Role of Corporate in Woman Empowerment’ were held on the occasion. Social activist Swami Agnivesh, former State Minister Arif Mohammad Khan, social worker Jagadananda, Manjusha Bhatnagar and Mamata Binani presented their views on the topics.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Maa Ghara founder Rutuparna Mohanty and Editor-in-Chief of Focus Odisha Sandeep Mishra spoke.
Educated women should give emphasis on women empowerment and all organsiations should focus on improving their capacity. The skill of the women should be developed, opined Rutuparna Mohanty.