President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday gave away two distinguished awards instituted by the Assam Government to two eminent personalities of the country and said that the women are the symbol of peace, love, humanity and dignity.
The President, who embarked on a tour to Assam for first time after assuming the highest office last year, conferred the prestigious ‘Asom Ratna’ award for the year 2012 on Assam’s noted litterateur late Mamoni Raisom Goswami posthumously and gave the Srimanta Sankardev Award for the year 2008 to renowned film actor Sharmila Tagore.
Giving away the awards, Mukherjee mentioned that while Tagore has channelised her energies and resources for the cause of girl child and women empowerment in India, legendary storyteller Mamoni Raisom Goawami had courageously advocated social change in a very volatile period in Assam’s history.
“I am happy to confer the Srimanta Shankaradev Award for the year 2008 on Sharmila Tagore. I congratulate Tagore for her rich contribution to India’s cultural life. I also welcome the recognition of the contribution of late Mamoni Raisom Goswami by the Assam Government,” said Mukherjee.
He said that life of Mamoni Raisom Goswami was an illustration of struggle and the fortitude on how to overcome personal tragedies and appreciated Tagore, who according to him, worked as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and chairperson of the Indian Film Censor Board and used her influence to promote initiatives aimed at bringing positive change in our society.
Mukherjee also hailed the efforts of late Goswami for her role as mediator in talks between armed militants in Assam and the Government of India. “She was instrumental in formation of a Peace Committee called the People’s Consultative Group (PCG). In all her works, ‘Mamoni’ had focused on women, the disadvantaged and the oppressed in society. By creating a consciousness about these problems, she was able to sow the seeds of change,” he said.
“I am particularly pleased that both the awardees on this occasion are outstanding women,” he said and added that he would like to see more such women of India recognised for their selfless work.
“More than that, I would like to see ordinary women in everyday life receive the respect and courtesy they deserve. The rising incidents of crime against women and children call for effective measures to ensure their safety and security,” said Mukherjee.