PRCI honours eight achievers on Daughters Day

Women are already empowered, says HPNLH Vice Chancellor, Prof Nishtha Jaswal

Chandigarh, July 6:  Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) in association with Panjab University Alumni Association observed the Daughters Day at the English Auditorium here today.

Seven women achievers and Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Trust were recognized for their accomplishments and contribution to society.

Speaking on this occasion, Prof Nishtha Jaswal, Vice Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh National Law University, said that women must realize their own potential and that they are already empowered and  capable of multi-tasking which thrusts more responsibility on them to inculcate better values amongst their children so that future generation can evolve positively.

Women, she said, preserve the values they inherit from their parents, and hence these must be passed on to the next generation.

She lamented the misuse of laws meant for their protection against dowry, domestic violence and sexual harassment at work places, by many which sets a wrong precedent and corrupts the society.

The PRCI Daughters’ Day awards were given to polio-afflicted paralympic table tennis gold medalist Poonam, and international chess players Arunima and Tarini Goyal, as well as international skater Vidushi Rawat who holds Asian record of skating 15 hours continuously.

Sharmita Bhinder, who runs an NGO EmPower was recognized for working with special children, and training parents and teachers for working with special children.

Supreet Dhiman is acknowledged leader as a social activist whose campaign against incest has garnered international attention, and was recognized for her advocacy work, rescuing the victims and providing psychological support for their rehabilitation.

Entrepreneur and an army officers’ wife, Sartaj Lamba, who is chairman of AJ Group of companies, was awarded for empowering the girls in slums through literacy and vocational training, and being a role model for budding entrepreneurs.

Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Trust was recognized for running the Neerja Bhanot Award since 1986 which had been celebrating the women of substance and values who had become an epitome of rightful action, restoring women’s dignity and inspiring others.

Dr. Deepti Gupta, Dean of PU Alumni Relations and chairperson of the English & Cultural Studies Department, remarked that every day is a daughters’ day and the Indian values teach us to be respectful to each other which is fundamental to strengthening the social fabric of the society.   Women have special task of keeping the good ethical values alive generation after generation, she added.

National Vice President of PRCI C.J. Singh informed that PRCI had been observing first week of July as Daughters Day pan-India since 2006 since birthday of astronaut Kalpana Chawla falls on 1^st July, and is run to generate awareness amongst people to value the womenhood and the dignity they deserve in the society.

Northern Regional Head of PRCI, Renuka Salwan, conducted the proceedings and said that PRCI with its 35 chapters across the country are engaged in building self-confidence amongst girls and women through its strong communication campaigns and activities.