Holkar award is back after 8-yr hibernation

Instituted in the memory of Ahilyabai Holkar to recognise outstanding work in the field of women's welfare, the state had inexplicably stopped giving it in 2002

Instituted in the memory of Ahilyabai Holkar to recognise outstanding work in the field of women's welfare, the state had inexplicably stopped giving it in 2002

THE state has, after an eight-year hibernation, suddenly woken up to the need for recognising the contribution of social activists, especially those working in the field of women's welfare.

The Ahilyabai Holkar award (see box), which was not being given at the state level since 2002, will be
given again this year on March 8.

The initiative for this was taken by the newly appointed Women and Child Welfare Minister Varsha Gaikwad. Nobody, however, seems to have a clear answer for why the award was not given for the last eight years.

"The award was instituted in 1985 and was being given regularly until 2002. After that, the award was not presented all these years," said an official.

Reasons

"There could be many reasons for the non-presentation of the awards.

On some occasions, the code of conduct for elections was in place and on two or three occasions, government resolutions were issued for the awards but the presentation could not take place may be due to the unavailability of officials and ministers," said a Women and Child Welfare Department official.

Meanwhile, Gaikwad refused to comment on the eight-year lull."We will be giving away the award this year," she concluded.

Did you know?
Ahilyabai Holkar (1725-1795), also known as the Philosopher Queen, ruled over the Kingdom of Malwa

Recognition
The award is given to individuals and institutions working for the cause of women for a period of seven years at the district level, 10 years at the Division level and 25 years at the state level.

A cash component of Rs 1 lakh is given at the state level, Rs 50,000 at the division level and Rs 25,000 at the district level.

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