THE Consulate General of India in New York has honoured Six trailblazing women on International Women's Day for their leadership and pioneering contribution to various fields.
The Consulate General and the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in various states honoured the women leaders at a special event on Tuesday (8).
Entrepreneur Sejal Lakhani Bhatt, first female South Asian Municipal Court Judge in New Jersey, Dipti Vaid Dedhia, community activist Seema Kumar, entrepreneur and philanthropist Chaya Pamula, executive director of Girls on the Run NYC Allison Hauser, and executive director and group strategist Bankkai Group Priyanka Brahmbhatt were felicitated during the event.
Consul General Randhir Jaiswal said that the government of India is focused, determined and in action mode to bring women empowerment, women's development and progress to the centre of the country's growth and prosperity.
Also Read | Bina Mehta among inspirational women recognised at the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards
Jaiswal also expressed hope that the world would achieve the sustainable development goal of gender equality and women empowerment by 2030.
FIA President Kenny Desai said: "Nari shakti has impacted our culture for centuries and played a major role in building and enhancing society. The commemoration calls for celebrating the "social, cultural, economic and political achievements of all women in society and in our lives.
"This year's awardees have made their mark at the highest levels and contributed significantly to the community. They are challenging gender stereotypes and their diverse representation accelerates the process of creating a gender-balanced world."
FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya congratulated the honourees and highlighted the significant role played by women in shaping a person's life.
Abha Jaiswal, a dentist and a leading public health specialist said the International Women's Day is a call to action and a day to reflect on what has been done and what still needs to be done.
''For women empowerment to be real and permanent, it is imperative to collectively engage every section of our society. Let's work towards it. It's a continuum," she said.
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)