“An achiever knows where she’s going and will keep to the path until she gets there; she is one who knows not only what she wants from life, but what she has to offer in return.” And, it was the perfect time to identify some of those who gave a lot in return.
On Monday, the Rotary Club of Bangalore identified eight such women and honoured them with Rotary-Arnav award.
At a function at Rotary House of Friendship, Gouri Oza, the chairperson of ‘Women Empowered Committee’ which selected the achievers, said these women tried to bring in change in society.
The achievers included Mrs Brindha Sitaram, an accomplished psycho-oncologist. She has also authored a book titled ‘Not out: Winning the Game of Cancer’. The other achiever is Ms Pushpa Bopaiah, an ‘Equine Therapist’.
While pursuing her passion for horses, she is also a qualified educationist with an MA in Sociology. She holds school health programmes for under-privileged children.
Third achiever, Dr Veda Zachariah, is the founder of ‘Sanjivini Trust’. She serves on various boards of organisations and participates actively in network for the welfare of children, women and disabled.
While Mrs Sharmila Swamy is a self-motivated professional with a zest for noveaux Montessory methods, Mrs Nita J, who shot to fame through her Gujarati food, was also awarded. Dr L T Gayathri, Chief Health Officer of BBMP, was recognised for her services through Pulse Polio February 2007 programme.
Mrs Sunita Nandhamuni, a software engineer, engineered a voluntary organisation called SEVA, a platform for NRIs to contribute to rural development in India.
Dr Sangeetha, who lost her eye sight at the age of seven, went on to secure a doctorate in women’s studies from Hampi University.
Dr Aloma Lobo, President of Karnataka Swayam Seva Samanvaya Samiti, while giving away the award, stressed the need to empower women, especially disabled.
Noted musician Dr Shyama Bhave was the chief guest.