Nari Shakti Awards on the Occasion of International Women’s Day

New Delhi, March 8, 2017: While addressing at the ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan to present the Nari Shakti Awards on the occasion of International Women's Day, President Pranab Mukherjee said that in modern India with its emphasis on inclusive development, has no place for gender biases. He had also lamented at the rising incidences of crimes against women in India, according to PTI.

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Amongst the 31 awardees, were 3 women scientists from ISRO- Subha Varier, B Codananyaguy and Anatta Sonney who have participated in historic space missions of ISRO like the Chandrayaan mission, Mangalyaan mission and the most recent launch of 104 satellites in one go.

The first all-women kathakali troupe- Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram Ladies Troupe from Kerala was also awarded. They have ventured into performing a type of art which has been the exclusive preserve of men. The group has delivered over 1,500 performances in India and abroad since it's formation in 1975.

Amruta Patil, another awardee is the first female graphic novelist of India, who has authored the novel 'Adi Parva', based on the Mahabharata, Purans and tradition of oral storytellers which was selected as one of the best graphic novels of 2012.

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Among other awardees were survivors of acid attack and trafficking, environment and animal activists.

Prepared by Upama Bhattacharya. Twitter @Upama_myself