Announcing the awards in his budget speech CM Laxmikant Parsekar reaffirmed his govt’s firm belief in gender equality and respect and dignity of women.
Two Veerjyoti puraskars will be given to women and girl child for showing exemplary courage against atrocities against them. Similarly two Rakshak puraskars will be given to anyone including police personnel for protecting women .
These awards will encourage people to stand up for women in distress. It would be more productive if there is no limit to the number of awards for the first 5 years as initially even small instances of courage need to be acknowledged so that it becomes a mass movement.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
