The CII Foundation Woman Exemplar Awards
were presented at the CII Annual General Meeting held on 6th April
2015 at New Delhi
Women Exemplars, working at the grassroot level, who have
contributed significantly in the fields of Education and Health were presented
with the Award by Mr Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister, Government of India.
The awardees had been nominated by grassroot NGOs from across the country.
Eminent panel of personalities from Industry and social sector selected the
awardees.
Ms P Thayammal received the Award for her outstanding
contributions in the field of education in her village Esavankulam in
Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. Thayammal, who hails from a poor scheduled
caste family from a backward village, where education, especially of a girl
child, was neglected, overcame many impediments and assumed the responsibility
for ensuring that children in her village receive education. She began her work
by starting an Anganwadi centre in front of her house. Through her relentless
efforts she facilitated the admission of 250 out-of-school children and enabled
more than 40 high school students to avail government schemes for continuing
their education in college. Over the last seven years, Thayammal has provided
free coaching to nearly 400 students. Children who were destined to work as
child labourers are now participating in district level competitions and are aiming
for higher education.
In the category of Health, the award was conferred upon Ms.
Pravasini Bangari, for her work towards making health services accessible to
the most vulnerable persons in her community, including children with
disability, malnourished children and pregnant women in the Jamut village of
Balangir District, Odisha. Pravasini initiated her work through door–to-door
visits where seeking cooperation from the community especially male members was
a challenge. She contributed her personal assets to further her cause. She
organized health camps along with the Primary Health Centre to ensure all women
and children in her village get access to immunization and nutrition
services. Through her relentless efforts, more than 200 children and 1000
women have received various health and nutrition services and aids under the
government programs. Her campaigns on sanitation has led to more than 500
families availing subsidy for the construction of toilets in their homes,
leading to reduction of open defecation practices.
The Award is part of the CII Foundation Women Exemplar Programme
which focuses on promoting women’s empowerment at the community level by
discovering and recognizing those who have, against all odds, excelled and
contributed significantly to positively impact the community. So far 30 Women
have been felicitated with this Award.
Bajaj Group is the presenting Partner of the Award.
The CII Foundation, set up by CII, undertakes a wide range
of developmental and charitable activities and initiatives pan India by
enabling Industry for infusing inclusive development. The Foundation provides a
meaningful bridge between marginalised communities and donors, specially
corporates by providing strategic guidance on CSR and developing and managing
high impact programmes.
6th April 2014
New Delhi