Media Release
Udupi, Mar 11: On account of International Women’s Day, Manipal Academy of Higher Education felicitated women achievers for their remarkable work. The ceremony was presided over by Vasanti R Pai, trustee of MAHE, Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar, AVSM, VSM was the esteemed chief guest along with Indira S Ballal, philanthropist and Kusuma Venkatesh, educationist as the guest of honor.
Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor of MAHE and Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), vice-chancellor, MAHE were also present.
Sharing her thoughts and message to all the women on the occasion, Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar, AVSM, VSM, the chief guest said, “At the outset, I would like to thank MAHE for inviting me to be a chief guest on the occasion of International Women’s Day. I would like to start with a quote, 'Freedom lies by being bold'. Most often women choose to keep quiet, but I think this theme tells us that we need to do more. I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run towards it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your foot.”
Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar, paid tribute to her grandmother Dr Sarladevi Khot who was a gutsy woman. Orphaned at 2, married at 9, widowed at 10, doctor at 29, it was her mother who chose to challenge systems and accepted norms of society in early 1900. "My own journey started in July 1978 to March 2020 when I became a Lt Gen. My first challenge was joining AFMC with no background in the armed forces. In conclusion, I would like to share the message, that each woman is capable of doing much and beyond, so you need to move out of your comfort zone.”
Vasanti R Pai giving the presidential address said, “I welcome Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar and it is an honour to have her on this day. Though 2020 has been a year full of challenges due to the pandemic, women have shown courage and proved themselves to be strong and they can achieve whatever they want at any age if they make up their mind. I wish everyone a very happy and healthy Women’s Day."
Speaking on the occasion, Kusuma Venkatesh said, “I take immense pleasure in wishing everyone a very Happy International Women’s Day. Women as healthcare workers, caregivers have performed exemplary work during the pandemic. The majority of the countries like Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Finland, Slovakia, Uthopia, New Zealand have dealt with the Covid situation better as women were the heads of the state. Yet there are only 20 countries where women are the heads of the country. Women have proved their commitment even during these trying times. Gone are the days when they said that behind every successful woman there is a man, today we all lead from the front. Therefore, I recognise, congratulate and salute all the women achievers who have been felicitated today.”
Rozy Baretto, working for over four decades in the Postal Department and Baby H Salian who is a woman entrepreneur were felicitated in their respective fields. This was followed by prize distribution to the winners of the essay and painting competition on #ChooseToChallenge.
Dr Smitha Nayak, associate professor of MIM gave the welcome address, Hilda Cornelio, management executive introduced the chief guest, Dr Shubha H S, associate professor and HOD of Media Studies of MIC, Manipal was the master of ceremony and the vote of thanks was given by Dr Jagriti Gangopadhyay, coordinator of the Center for Women's Studies. The officials of MAHE, faculty and students were present during the function. The programme concluded with an extravaganza cultural programme performed by the staff of MAHE.