IWHT player Vandana Kataria among 21 other recipients of prestigious women empowerment state award ” Teelu Rauteli state honour “

Amid controversies of political favours given to some women of Uttarakhand by the state government having allegiance to the saffron party, a charge of favouritism levelled by Congress party, AAP n UKD leaders, the Uttarakhand government is honouring 22 outstanding women who have contributed exceptionally in various fields with the state’s prestigious ” Tilu Rauteli Awards” that carries a cash contribution of Rs 31 thousand as well.

These outstanding women have been honoured with significant women empowerment Tilu Rauteli Award by the chief minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami at Dehradun on Sunday.

While the himalayan state which is going for assembly elections in the initial months of 2022, the state government has enhanced the monetary limit of this award to Rs. 31 thousand from early 21 thousand. The amount of the Anganwadi award has also been enhanced to Rs 21 thousand from Rs 10 thousand.

What is most significant in these awards is that the outstanding three goal maker in hockey match in Tokyo Olympics Vandana Kataria has also been honoured with the “Tilu Rauteli Award ” along with 21 other recipients.

Outstanding women’s hockey player Vandana Kataria belongs to Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

The main opposition party of Uttarakhand Congress, Aam Admi Party and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal have strongly criticised the BJP government for selecting some BJP Mahila Morcha women for this significant state award allegedly symbolic of favouritism and rd tapism .

They have accused the government for sidelining the genuine women whose contribution in various fields have been immeasurable thus favouring those who are associated with the saffron party n one allegedly related to a minister etc.

According to the spokesperson of Aam Admi Party Navin Parishali , it is the insult to the women community of the state for deliberately sidelining the genuine outstanding women contributors who have been pro actively working hard since long in the fied of education, women empowerment, environment, sports, education, literature, health, bravery, social life etc.

Instead of honouring the genuine women contributors the women of BJP Mahila morcha have been selected for this women empowerment award said Parishali which is unfortunate and uncalled for.

The other day Youth Congress activists had protested outside collectorate in Pithoragarh against selecting four women for Tilu Rauteli Award from from border district of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand belonging to BJP. They have said that this is an insult of the state honour n deserving women who have been genuinely active in the state but deliberately sidelined to favour women recipients belonging to BJP.

Those awarded with Teelu Rauteli state Women Empowerment Award by the Uttarakhand chief minister are : Indian Women Hockey team player Vandana Kataria, ( Haridwar), Dr. Rajkumari, Bhandari Chouhan, Anuradha Walia, Shyama Devi, Dr. Kanchan Negi, ( Dehradun), Reena Rawat, ( Uttarkashi), Chandrakala Tiwari, ( Chamoli), Namita Gupta, Bindu Wasini, Uma Joshi from Udham Singh Nagar, Mamta n Ruchi Kalahoti from Bageshwar, Anjana Rawat from Pauri Garhwal, Parvati Kirola, Nainital, Kanika Bhandari n Bhavna Sharma from Almora, Babita Punetha, Deepika Bohra, Deepika Chupal, Rekha Joshi from Pithoragarh, Renu Gadkoti ( Champavat) and Poonam Dobhal from Tehri Garhwal.

The outstanding women selected for Anganvadi awards are : Gaura Kohli, Pushpa Prahari, Pushpa Patni, Geeta Chand, Gulista, Anjana, Sanju Balodi, lookMeenu, Jyotika Pandey, Suman, Rakhi, Sushma Gusain, Asha Devi, Durga Bisht, Sohani Sharma, Vrinda, Pronati, Hansi Dhapola, Gayatri Danu, Heera Bhatt, Sushma Panchuri, Sema Devi, from various districts of Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand. This list of these awardees was released by the Women empowerment and social welfare department of Uttarakhand government selected on the basis of merits in exemplary contributions in various fields say sources.

It may be recalled that brave exceptional warrior Tilu Rauteli belonging to a Garhwali Rajput family had fought seven wars at the age of 15 to 20 years as the saying goes, having been born in Chaundkot, Pauri Garhwal in 17 th century. Though there are historical claims about her non existence n modern historians rejecting the claim of her existence terming them as mere folk tales but inhabitants of Garhwal reject them terming her as a bravest warrior in Garhwal’s having courageously fought several wars protecting them from external attacks who was killed by her enemies by deceit when she was taking bath in a river. Every year her birth anniversary is commemorated by the Uttarakhand state government and various socio – political organisations drawing inspirations from her brave deeds termed as a symbol of women empowerment.

The Uttarakhand government has instituted an award named as TIRU RAUTELI STREET SHAKTI AWARD in the year 2006 recognising her brave feats and sacrifice.

Above featured pic : courtsey Quite. Com