Bhubaneswar: A host of functions were organised in the Capital City to honour women for their achievements to mark Women’s Day.
Like every year, Parichay Foundation honoured women achievers at 10th Aarya Awards, which powered by Visakhapatnam Port Trust and LIC. This year 18 women achievers in different categories were felicitated with the prestigious award at a function here on Sunday.
Eminent Bharatnatyam Guru Geeta Chandran was the chief guest of the awards ceremony which was inaugurated by Ambassador of Myanmar, HE Moe Kyaw Aun; Neuro Pyschatrist, Dr. Amrit Pattojoshi; motivational and inspirational speaker Amit Pandey and Ollywood couple Sabyasachi Mishra and Archita Sahu. Former BJD MP Prasanna Kumar Patasani and former BJD MLA Priyadarshi Mishra also attended the event.
Addressing the winners and guests on the occasion, Kyaw Aung congratulated all the achievers and wished all a Happy Women’s day. “Parichay foundation has been doing a commendable job for the society and I feel proud that I got an opportunity to get associated with this,” he added.
The winners of Aarya Awards are:
Matilda Kullu and Harapriya Nayak for social work, Poly Pattanaik for education; Dr Sunanda Mishra Panda and Dr. Minakhi Das in literature;
Dr. Maya Gantayet in business leadership and medical science; Kuku Das in the field of NRO; Priyanka Das and Sashimani Moharana (Raghurajpur) for art and culture; Lopamudra Priyadarshini for her contributions in the field of media; Deep Grace Ekka for sports; Luma Rath and Leesha Rath for Social Media Influencers; Nikita Baliarsingh and Nishita Baliarsingh and Amrita Sabat for entrepreneurship; Meenakshi Mohanty in the field of fitness and wellness.
Special Citation was presented Amrita Sabat and Nibedita Nayak while Special Mention awards were given to Sadhna Mishra and Sujata Priyadarshini.
Founder of Parichay Foundation Rosalin Patasani Mishra said, “Parichay has always stood for women empowerment and Aarya Awards is our tribute to all women who are scripting their own success and inspiring stories from different fields.”
In 2016, Parichay also started Shrie Awards, to acknowledge the achievements of men in various sectors, organising the award ceremony on the occasion of Father’s Day. The foundation also launched its pilot project, Alaknanda Scholarship Programme for drop-out girl students across Odisha.