New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee will present Nari Shakti Puraskars 2016 to 31 individuals and institutions at a special ceremony to be held in the national capital on the International Women’s Day tomorrow. This year, the Selection Committee chaired by Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi has unanimously agreed to increase the number of awards to 31 as more nominees were found to be deserving and the age criteria was also relaxed. The awards recognise the efforts made by women and institutions in rendering distinguished services for the cause of women, especially vulnerable and marginalised women.
The Ministry announces these national level awards for eminent women, organisations and institutions in recognition of their service towards the cause of women empowerment. Initiated in the year 1999, the guidelines for the awards were reframed in 2015. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a certificate for individuals and institutions. The Puraskars are open to all Indian institutions, organisations and individuals.
The WCD Ministry invites nominations from state governments, union territory administrations, concerned Central ministries/departments, non-governmental organisations, universities/institutions, private and public sector undertakings (PSUs) working for empowerment of women. However, in exceptional cases, the selection committee may also, suo motu, recommend a person or institution for the award, with justification.
A screening committee to scrutinise and short list the nominations received for the awards and a selection committee constituted for the purpose considers the achievements of organisations and individuals nominated or recommended for the Puraskars by the prescribed authority.
The outstanding contributions in the field are of primary consideration in identifying the recipients of Puraskars. The final selections of the awardees are made by the National Selection Committee, which takes into account the recommendations of the Screening Committee. The National Selection Committee may at its discretion also consider individuals other than those recommended by the state governments/Central ministries. (UNI)