The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the Asom Ratna Award (posthumously) to Late Smt. Indira (Momoni Raisom) Goswami and the Srimanta Shankardeva Award for the year 2008 to Smt. Sharmila Tagore today (May 13, 2013) at a function at Guwahati, Assam.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said he is very happy that his first visit to Assam is to confer distinction on two outstanding women of India. Both are social leaders who have contributed to the development and empowerment of women.
The President congratulated Shrimati Tagore for her rich contribution to India’s cultural life. He said as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and Chairperson of the Indian Film Censor Board, Smt. Sharmila Tagore has used her influence to promote initiatives aimed at bringing positive change in our society.
The President also welcomed the recognition, by the Government of Assam, of the contribution of Late Smt. Indira Goswami by awarding her the Asom Ratna Award posthumously. He said she was a legendary story teller and prolific novelist who courageously advocated social change in a very volatile period in Assam’s history. She would be particularly remembered for her role as a mediator in talks between armed militants in Assam and the Government of India. In all her works, ‘Mamoni’ as she was known, had focused on women, the disadvantaged and the oppressed in society. By creating a consciousness about these problems, she was able to sow the seeds of change.
The President said we are living in difficult times, recent incident of rape in Delhi has shaken national consciousness. We must ponder where we are and where we are going. We must reset our moral compass. Women are a symbol of power, peace, love, humanity and divinity.
