Fourteen women were awarded for excellence in their respective fields which included art and culture, education, health and business.
As we come marching, marching, we bring the greater days.
The rising of the women means the rising of the race.
No more the drudge and idler - ten that toil where one reposes,
But a sharing of life's glories: Bread and roses! Bread and roses!
—James Oppenheim These lines were sung by the Women of Liberation in New York in 1857 when they fought for equal rights, and with this excerpt from the poem started the function which was organised to honour the Women of Gujarat, 2008-09, by the Business Women Committee, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) here on Sunday.
Fourteen women were awarded for excellence in their respective fields which included art and culture, education, health and business.
Kumudini Lakhia, founder, Kadamb Centre for Dance, was awarded with the Lifetime achievement award. She said, "It is my privilege to accept such an honour as whatever I have done for dance and the lovers of dance is something which I love. I am grateful to people for appreciating my efforts."
Another woman, Dr Amrita Patel, chairperson, National Dairy Development Board, Anand, was awarded the Lifetime achievement award. However Amrita couldn't make it to the event to receive her award.
The awards were presented by Anandiben Patel, minister for revenue, Gujarat. After presenting the awards, she said, "The drop-out rate among girls till Standard V is as high as 36 per cent; so, awareness of their rights cannot be expected among women." She stressed that education was the sole solution to every problem. Therefore, girls in rural areas of Gujarat should be educated.
The minister highlighted the importance of topics like hygiene, property rights, level of education and the level of awareness about the laws protecting women for improving the social position of women in Gujarat.
Rupesh Shah, president, GCCI, said, "I am happy to be here and would like to congratulate all the awardees. However, as the saying goes, 'Behind every successful man, there is a woman'; I hope that behind the success of these women, there is devotional support of their husband or father and I would like to thank them for their support."
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