Date:26/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/26/stories/2007042616080200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Recognising the contribution of women

Staff Reporter

Shashwati Awards to be presented on April 30

Bangalore: Women empowerment and the elimination of gender bias is a common effort among many social workers and philanthropists. A milestone as far as the city is concerned is Shashwati, a museum and a centre for women studies at the NMKRV College, promoted by the Rashtreeya Shikshana Samithi Trust.

The museum is a moving repository of artefacts used by women of yesteryears, besides housing exhibits such as Mysore style paintings, crochet works, pots and pans, sewing machines, spinning wheels, dolls and many other items that provide an insight to women's lives in the years gone by. The trust has instituted four awards, namely the Nanjangudu Thirumalamba Award the best women writer in any Indian language including English, the Sadoditha Award for women scholars of Karnataka, the Karnataka Kalpavalli Award for women who have made significant socio-political contributions and the Gargi Award, instituted in the name of the late C.N. Mangala, the first principal of NMKRV College, which is conferred on outstanding women teachers of Karnataka.

The awards for the years 2002 to 2006 are being presented on April 30 at 3.30 p.m. at the Mangala Mantapa on the college premises in Jayanagar.