International Women's Day: Akhilesh felicitates 90 women with Rani Laxmi Bai Bravery Award in Lucknow

Lucknow: Mountaineer-volleyball player Arunima Sinha, educationist Bharti Gandhi and four French citizens were among 90 women conferred with Rani Laxmi Bai Bravery Award by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Tuesday. [caption id=“attachment_2663592” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Akhilesh Yadav. PTI[/caption] A volleyball player, Arunima was thrown out of a moving train after which she lost both her legs. Despite this she conquered Mount Everest with the help of her artificial legs. Gandhi, who started a school with a small number of students, turned it into one of the biggest chain of institutes in the city with a strength of around 50,000 students. The feat was recognised by the Guiness Book of World Record. Juliet Finet, Huliet Choppin, Sherlot Hindru and Carilina of France were also felicitated on the occasion for their respective feats. Anhita Prasad of Chennai was felicitated for covering 4526 km from Leh to Kanyakumari on cycle. Seven-year-old Ria Zehra, who was born with only 20 per cent eyesight, and now well-versed in Bhagwat Gita, is also among the awardees. Speaking on the occasion, MP from Kannauj and CM’s wife Dimple Yadav lauded the state government for launching several schemes for women, but said a lot was still needed to be done. The Chief Minister said his government has done a lot for women and Samajwadi Pension Scheme was one of them, which was the biggest scheme in the country. “Our effort will be as to how promote women in every sector,” he said. PTI