The Indian government has officially opened nominations for the Nari Shakti Puraskar, 2021. The deadline is set for January 31, 2022. This prestigious award, initiated in 1999, serves as the pinnacle of civilian honours bestowed upon women in the country. These awards aim to celebrate and further encourage the significant contributions of women to various sectors of society.
About the Nari Shakti Puraskar
The President of India presents the Nari Shakti Puraskar on International Women’s Day, which falls annually on the 8th of March. The monetary value attached to the award is Rs.2 Lakh, complemented by a formal certificate of recognition for the awardee or institution. The Ministry of Women and Child Development oversees the management of these national-level accolades, extending them to individuals, groups, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and institutions alike.
Purpose of the Awards
The broad spectrum of recognition conferred by these awards spans from encouraging women’s participation in decision-making roles, promoting the development of traditional and non-traditional skills, facilitating basic amenities for rural women, and fostering female involvement in sectors such as sports, arts, culture, science and technology. Similarly, they also highlight the considerable efforts directed towards women’s safety, health, wellness, education, life skills, and overall respect and dignity.
Objectives Outlined
The Nari Shakti Puraskar serves as a beacon for the Government’s commitment to fortify women’s role in society. It aims to motivate younger generations to acknowledge women’s significant contributions to societal growth and nation-building. Additionally, it aligns with the aspiration of achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 that focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility for the Nari Shakti Puraskar comprises any individual at least 25 years of age and institutions that have consistently worked in their respective field for a minimum of 5 years.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day, celebrated every year on March 8, is a global occasion honouring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also acts as a rallying call to hasten the pace towards gender parity. The origin of Women’s Day can be traced back to 1911 when it was first commemorated by Clara Zetkin, a German native embedded in the labour movement. However, it wasn’t until 1913 that March 8 became the fixed date for this observance. The United Nations first marked International Women’s Day in 1975, and later in December 1977, its General Assembly adopted a resolution officially proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace, set to be observed on any convenient day annually by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.
