Trichy's women achievers felicitated

Mayor A. Jaya (right) handing over the Vocational Excellence Award to Chithra Visweswaran (second from left), president, Association of Bharthinatyam Artistes of India, at the International Women's Day in Tiruchi on Saturday. K. Meena, former Vice-Chancellor of Bharathidasan University, is at left. Photo: R.M. Rajarathinam

Rallies, administration of pledges, and distribution of awareness pamphlets formed part of observance of International Women’s Day by various institutions and associations in various parts of the district. The organisers honoured differently-abled women in recognition of their talents in their chosen fields.

At a function organised jointly by the Tiruchi All Women Associations, Srimati Indira Gandhi College, and Inner Wheel Club of Tiruchi, Chitra Visweswaran, dancer, underlined the role of women to emerge successful. She appealed to youth to learn fine arts as part of their endeavour for personality development.

She was honoured with ‘Vocational Service Award’ on the occasion.

K. Meena, former Vice-Chancellor of Bharathidasan University, said higher education empowered women on socio-economic plane. Women should be courageous to face challenges and uphold their self-respect and dignity. A. Jaya, Mayor of Tiruchi, offered felicitations.

Later, Ms. Chitra Visweswaran gave away prizes to women’s organisations in the city in recognition of their continued social service.

Rally

Women members took out a rally from Khadi Kraft to Roshan Mahal, at a function organised by People’s Development Initiatives (PDI).

U. Nirmala Rani, advocate of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, flagged off the rally. She gave away “Paalinia samthuva thondar” award for social workers who had toiled hard against atrocities on women.

Tamizhachi Thangapandian distributed awards among outstanding self-help groups.

Ms. Nirmala Rani gave away special awards to workers who had worked in the cause of gender equality.

J. Kavitha, treasurer of PDI, presented “Nambikkai Thozhar” award to couples with gender equality.

Public meeting

A public meeting was held under the auspices of the Pengal Viduthalai Munnani at Taranallur in which a discussion on responsibilities of women in the context of globalisation, was discussed at length. Anis Fathima, State coordinator, spoke.

Free food

Women members of Canara Bank Employees Union distributed food at St. Thomas Mercy Home in Crawford, according to J. Anantha Padmanabhan, State committee member of the Canara Bank Employees’ Union.