The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the Stree Shakti Puruskar, 2012 on the occasion of International Women’s Day at a function at Vigyan Bhawan today (March 8, 2013).

Speaking on the occasion, the President extended warm greetings to women in all parts of the country and thanked them for their invaluable contribution in the making of our great nation. He said that on the occasion we are paying tribute not only to women who have been conferred the Stree Shakti Awards but to all women who have worked and contributed directly or indirectly to social development in our country. He said that he was particularly happy that the Rani Lakshmi Bai Award has been given to "the spirit of Nirbhaya”.

The President said that empowerment of women must be regarded as not only an element of our efforts towards gender equality but also a critical step for stimulating their full participation in nation building. He stated that we must strive to ensure that women feel safe and secure at all times in our country.

The President called upon all citizens of India to persevere, in their respective spheres, for the comprehensive implementation, in letter and in spirit, of the constitutional rights guaranteed to every woman in India.

He complimented all the award winners for the excellent work done by them and the Ministry of Women and Child Development for organizing the event.