Nari Shakti Puraskar

highest civilian honour for women in India

Nari Shakti Puraskar (English: Women's empowerment award) is an award. The Ministry of Women and Child Development of the Government of India gives it out each year. They give it to women or groups who do good work for women's empowerment. It is the highest level of award given to women in India.[1] The President of India gives the awards on International Women's Day (March 8). There is usually an event at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.[2][3][4]

Chirom Indira Devi of Manipur receiving the award from the President of India

The awards started in 1999. During that time, a title Stree Shakti Puraskar (English: Women's empowerment award) was used. Later, in 2015, the present title was used.[2][5][6][7]

There are eight categories for the award, six for institutions and two for individual women. The institution awards have cash prizes of rupees 2 lakhs INR. The individual awards have rupees 1 lakh INR.[2][5][6][7]

Institutional categories change

All six institutional categories are named after famous women in Indian history.[1]

  1. Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Award:- This award is named after Ahilyabai Holkar who was an 18th century Queen of Malwa Kingdom. This award is given to the best Private Sector Organization (PSO) or public sector project for promoting the welfare of women.
  2. Kannagi Devi Award:- This award is named after Kannagi. She is an important character in the Tamil epic Silapathikaram. This award is given to the best state for improving the Child Sex Ratio (CSR).
  3. Mata Jijabai Award:- This award is named after Mata Jijabai. She is the mother of Shivaji. She founded the Maratha Empire in the 17th century. This award is for the best urban local body that provided services and facilities to women.
  4. Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang Award:- This award is named after Rani Gaidinliu. She was a 20th century Naga political and spiritual leader from Manipur. This award is for the Civil Society Organization (CSO) that did good works for the betterment and well being of women.
  5. Rani Lakshmi Bai Award:- This award is named after Rani Lakshmi Bai, the warrior queen of Jhansi kingdom. This award is given to the best institutions for research and development in women's empowerment.
  6. Rani Rudramma Devi Award:- This award is named after Rani Rudramma Devi, the 13th century warrior queen of the Kakatiya dynasty in the Deccan Plateau. It is given to two district Panchayats and two village Panchayats. It is for the work in women's welfare.

Individual categories change

The two individual categories of the award are:

  1. Award for courage and bravery
  2. Award for making outstanding contributions to women's endeavour, community work, or making a difference, or women's empowerment

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 "NARI SHAKTI PURUSKAR" (PDF). Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Press Information Bureau (March 7, 2017). "The prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskars, 2016 to be given away by the President tomorrow" (Press release). {{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  3. Indo Asian News Service, IANS India Private Limited (March 8, 2013). "President gives Stree Shakti awards on International Women's Day". Yahoo News.
  4. PTI (March 7, 2013). "Stree Shakti Award for Nirbhaya". DNA.
  5. 5.0 5.1 CHHANDOSREE. "Worthy women, please stand up - State can't find nominee for Centre's Stree Shakti Puraskar 2012". Telegraph India. Archived from the original on 2017-09-25.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "WOMEN'S AWARD" (Press release). Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. Archived from the original on 2009-05-21.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "STREE SHAKTI PURUSKAR" (PDF). Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-10.