President Ram Nath Kovind gave away the Nari Shakti Puraskar to 15 women in Rashtrapati Bhawan on the occasion of International Women's Day (March 8).
The National Award is given annually to individuals, groups, institutions in recognition of their exceptional work towards the cause of women empowerment, especially for vulnerable and marginalized women.
The award was instituted in the year 1999 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
It is given in six institutional categories and two individual categories.
2020 Awards
103-year-old athlete Mann Kaur.
Indian Air Force’s first women fighter pilots Mohana Singh, Bhawana Kanth and Avani Chaturvedi.
Farmers Padala Bhudevi and Bina Devi.
Artisan Arifa Jaan.
Environmentalist Chami Murmu.
Entrepreneur Nilza Wangmo.
Automotive research professional Rashmi Urdhwardeshe.
Lady Mason Kalavati Devi.
Twin Mountaineers Tashi and Nungshi Malik.
Classical vocalist Kaushiki Chakroborty.
98-year-old Karthyayini Amma who topped the literacy exam in 2018.
Six Categories
Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Award for Best Private Sector organization/ Public sector undertaking in promoting the well-being and welfare of women
Kannagi Devi Award for Best State which has appreciably improved Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
Mata Jijabai Award for Best Urban Local body for providing services and facilities to women
Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang Award for Best Civil Society organization (CSO)
Rani Lakshmi Bai Award for Best Institution for Research & Development in the field of women empowerment
Rani Rudramma Devi Awards for two District Panchayats and two Gram Panchayats