Calling for a fundamental change in people’s mental and moral make-up, civic sense and social conduct to emancipate women, President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said legislation alone could not revive the Indian tradition of according them due honour and respect.
New laws, no matter how well-conceived, must be supported by efficient enforcement mechanisms. “We need to see that crimes against women are seriously investigated and justice is provided in a prompt manner,” he said presenting Stree Shakti Puaraskar awards here to mark International Women’s Day.
The Stree Shakti Puruskar awardees are nominated by the State governments, MPs and VIPs suo motu and selected by a national screening committee.
The recipients this year were Manasi Pradhan of Odisha, who was honoured with the Rani Lakshmibai Award for 2013 for her contribution to women’s empowerment. M. Venkaih of Andhra Pradesh received the Rani Rudramma Devi Award for his contribution to women’s health, while Bina Sheth Lashkari of Maharashtra was honoured with the Mata Jijabai Award for her achievement in education and training.
T. Radha K. Prashanti of Andhra Pradesh bagged the Kannagi Award for providing support to orphans, visually impaired, handicapped and destitute women. Vartika Nanda of Delhi was honoured with the Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang Award for creating awareness of women’s issues through the media. Seema Sakhare of Maharashtra received the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Award for highlighting women’s rights and gender issues, and offering women and girls legal counselling and institutional support.
