We have tried to make a small difference in the lives of acid attack victims and sex workers daughters.
The Eighth Edition of Newsmakers Achievers’ Awards function was held on 1st of May, 2017 at Rangswar Auditorium, Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Mumbai. This year’s award function was dedicated to acid attack victims and providing financial assistance to sex workers daughters’ education. Around 80 per cent of the victims of acid attacks are women, as many of them have to undergo severe hardships after assault. Women become soft targets of acid attacks due failed relationships, refused marriage proposal, property disputes and domestic violence. Many of them don’t come forward to file a complaint against the miscreant and continue to suffer in silence. Their husbands too desert them after the incident. They have to run from pillar to post for seeking employment and financial assistance.
Sex workers live in inhuman conditions and do not own any property. Many of them don’t have access to bank accounts, lack identity proof and don’t have any right to vote. Their children are denied education and have to face social isolation. Many of them find it difficult to enrol their children in schools as they are unable to disclose their father’s identity. The society’s attitude towards them continues to remain unchanged.
Aarti Thakur a 27 year old acid attack victim survivor said, “I have undergone eight surgeries and two more will follow. I hope the accused should be awarded stringent punishment. Life is full of obstacles but one should struggle hard to overcome all obstacles.”
Daultabi Khan a 34 year of victim of acid attack said, “I have to undergo huge hardships after the acid attack. I have lost vision in my one eye both my ears are deformed. I will utilise this money for treatment purpose.”
Deepika Solar a 29 year of acid victim survivor said, “The percentage of burn on my face is 15 per cent. I am overwhelmed with the support shown by Newmakers for the cause of farmers. An initiative like this will make some difference in the lives acid attack victims.”
Newsmakers Felicitates Achievers
Various personalities from all walks of life be it in media, politics, academic and social sector were also honoured on this occasion. The award was handed over to them by eminent personalities.
Pandit Birju Maharaj and Shree Pradeep Welankar was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Diwakar Raote received the Best Politician Award. Aasha Warriar was honoured with the Best Spiritual Leader award. The award for Best Doctor was bagged by Dr Mukesh Batra. Dr Deepak Bhosale received the best Educationist award. Roxy Arora was honoured with the best Author award. Virag Gupta received the best lawyer award. Namrata Thakker was honoured with the Best Social Entreprenuer award.
Deep Haider received the Best Journalist (Editor) award. Rashid Hashmi was felicitated with the Best News Anchor award. Vicky Nanjappa was honoured with Best Journalist (Digital) award. Varun Singh received the Best Journalist (Print) award. Anil Nagpal received the Best Photographer award. Nandita Venkatesan was felicitated with Best Writer/Reporter award.
Asha Mamedi bagged the Best Social Worker jury award. Sushant Divgikar was felicitated with Best VJ award. Siddharth Nigan received the Best Child Artist award. Meghna Malik was felicitated with the Best Actress award. Darshan Kumaar received the Best Actor award. Lubna Adams bagged the Best Fashion Choreographer award and Ssumier S. Pasricha received the Best Comedian award. Dolly Parekh was felicitated with Best Fashion Designer award.
Samidha Guru was honoured with the Best Marathi Actress award while Kishor Kadam bagged the Best Marathi Actor award.
Vaidehi Taman, Group Editor of NBC said, “This year award function is special for us as we have tried to make a small difference in the lives of acid attack victims and sex workers daughters’ lives. Often acid attack victims are neglected by the society as they feel helpless. By lending a helping hand to them we will rebuild their lives. We also are providing assistance for supporting sex workers daughters’ education and to bring them into the mainstream society.”
For more details, log on to www.nbcaward.in
