From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday appealed to the countrymen to recognise women as symbol of power, love, dignity and peace.
Mukherjee was in Guwahati as part of his two-day visit to Assam to give away two top awards of Assam government – the Srimanta Sankardeva Award to veteran actor Sharmila Tagore and Asom Ratna posthumously to litterateur Mamoni Raisom Goswami in a function held at the ITA Cultural Complex at Machkhowa in the city in presence of Assam Governor JB Patnaik and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi among other dignitaries.
Giving away the awards, Mukherjee said, “I am happy to be associated with this function recognizing two prominent women leaders of contemporary India. Two outstanding women who have contributed for development and empowerment of women.”
The President said, “Mamoni Goswami’s life itself was an illustration of struggle and fortitude and how to overpower personal tragedies and translate it into action to convey the message of love and brotherhood. Till her last breath, she tried to bring peace to the state and to an extent was able to exert her mental pressure towards that end.”
Mukherjee also highlighted the contributions of Ms Tagore and said, “Sharmila Tagore won hearts of people with her film roles and she was involved in social activities, working tirelessly to empower women and improve their conditions.”
He said it was time to rekindle the ideology of the great vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva to serve humanity and understand that it was the best way to provide service to the God and the society.
“At this juncture, we must recognize women as symbols of power, love, dignity and peace,” he added.
Accepting the award, actor Ms Tagore, a grand daughter of Assam, dedicated it to the memory of her mother, late Ira Tagore (Barua), who hails from Assam. She walked down memory lane to describe how her mother used to tell her about the high status accorded to women folk in Assamese society.
The award to late Mamoni Raisom Goswami was received by her elder brother Satyabrata Goswami.
Earlier, the President landed at Air Force Station Guwahati by a special Indian Air Force plane. On landing he was received by the Base Commander, Air Commodore Mukesh Rawat, Governor J B Patnaik and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
A Guard of Honour was presented to the President by the Air Force contingent commanded by Group Captain SP Shirolkar.