Haryana to institute state awards for women

 by Haryananewswire (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, SEPT 18

The Haryana Government has instituted four State level Awards to give recognition to women who have done outstanding work in different fields so that they become role models for future generation of Indian women.

           While stating this here today, Women and Child Development Minister, Mrs. Geeta Bhukkal said three of the awards included Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award, Kalpna Chawla Shaurya Award and Bahin Shano Devi Panchayti Raj Award. The fourth award comprised of two awards namely Life time Achievers Award and Women Outstanding Achievers Award. These awards would come into effect from the current financial year.

She said that institution of these awards would also go for a long way in changing the mindset of the society towards women and to accept and encourage the versatile role of women in Indian society and in their respective field.

           Detailing about the awards, Mrs. Bhukkal said that Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award, which symbolically represents women power, would be given to the women who came to the top through selfless and dedicated work and become a role model for others. It would be given to a woman who has done exemplary work in support and rehabilitation of women and children especially in difficult circumstances like destitute women and children, widows, victims of atrocities and conflict disabled women and children, aged women etc. Similarly, this award would also be given to those who engaged in promoting self help groups or women empowerment initiatives, established their own business or industry and have contributed to the development of women in small span of time besides entrepreneurship and done exemplary work in public service. It would carry a cash prize of Rs. one lakh and a citation.

            The Minister said that Kalpna Chawla Shaurya Award named after astronaut Kalpna Chawla, would be given to those who perform acts of bravery and meritorious services with the view to inspire other women to follow their example. The award would carry a cash prize of Rs.51,000 and a citation.

           She said that Bahin Shanno Devi Panchayati Raj Awardnamed after the first women speaker in Haryana had been instituted for encouraging the emergence of women in the public sphere in the village of Haryana. This award would be given to the woman panchayat leader who have done exemplary work for the empowerment of women in the field of promoting female literacy, health and nutrition, universalization of education, sanitation, water, hygiene and other key health determinants, social audit, women empowerment, prevention of domestic violence against women, prevention of crime or atrocities against women or weaker section, community mobilization, prevention of female foeticide and improving sex ratio, prevention of child marriages, environment protection and support to women in agriculture and rural industry including  promotion of technology to reduce drudgery. It would carry cash prize of Rs. 51,000 and a citation.

         Mrs. Bhukkal said that Life Time Achievement Award would be meant for woman of 60 years old or above. It would be given to any individual who have excelled in any such field in their life especially in outstanding administrative skills, career or profession, leadership quality, courage, creative work. Those who would set up a model or an example before the society by showing dexterity and professional integrity and dedicating whole life to the society or Nation would also be eligible for this award. It would carry a cash prize of Rs. 21,000 and a citation and a shawl.

She said that similarly Women Outstanding Achievers Award would be given to the women who have done exemplary achievements and outstanding work in their respective fields. The awards will be presented annually to such women who have done commendable work in their respective fields in a calendar year. It would be given to ANM or nurses, Sports women, Sakshar Mahila Sammoh Members, Government employees, social workers, Women entrepreneurs, nominees of Stree Shakti Puraskar, Prohibition-cum-Protection Officer and Anganwadi workers. Each such award carries cash prize of Rs.5100, a citation and a shawl.

            The Minister said that selection process for these awards would be finalized by State level Screening Committee headed by Director General, Women and Child Development Department and District level Screening Committee headed by concerned Deputy Commissioner. The nominee should be a resident of Haryana or born in Haryana and working for the cause of women in Haryana. Preference should be given to women who have come up in mainstream of life after a great deal of struggle and adversity. Nominee should apply to concerned Programme Officer ICDS or Deputy Commissioner on prescribed application proforma along with affidavit with this declaration that that there is nothing adverse pending against her  or institution for inquiry in any forum Department  or  Court etc and in case of any wrong information  or mismanagement found in future the award and money would be returned to the Government.

She said that nominations received would be placed before the State level Selection Committee headed by Minister of Women and Child Development and other members included Principal Secretary, Women and Child Dev Department, Secretary, Haryana State Child Welfare Council, Chairperson, Haryana State Commission for Women, Secretary, Haryana State Social Welfare Board. Director General, Women and Child Development Department would serve as Member Secretary of the committee.