CNN IBN and Reliance Industries gave away the Real Heroes Awards for the year 2011 at a ceremony held in Mumbai on 17 August 2011.Overall 24 women and men from all over India were given the award in recognition of their extraordinary service in their different fields of work.
Secretary General, CAFI and Founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, Ms Binalakshmi Nepram was conferred the award by legendary singer Smt Asha Bhonsle and President of Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation, Mrs Nita Ambani in the presence of Mr Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor in Chief of CNN IBN. Ms Nepram was given CNN IBN’s Real Heroes Award for the year 2011 in women’s welfare category. Bina was conferred the award for her work to empower hundreds of women survivors of gun violence in conflict torn Manipur.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Nepram called upon the luminaries of the arts, film and corporate world that were gathered in Mumbai to support work of people in Manipur and Northeast India towards reducing violence and bringing peace. She shared the impact of continued imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act that is still clamped in the region and called for support to ask for its removal mentioning that AFSPA violates Article 21 of the Indian Constitution that gives every Indian the right to life. She dedicated the award to hundreds of thousands of women survivors in Manipur and Northeast India. She vowed that the journey for a much needed women led initiative for peace in Northeast India has just begun.
Chairman of Reliance Industries, Mr Mukesh Ambani speaking at the award ceremony spoke that it is tireless efforts by ordinary men, women of India who are doing things selflessly for others that is making the idea of India alive and kicking and that this can become a movement for a new India.
Noted film maker, Mr Vidhu Vinod Chopra shared that he was truly moved by the works done around the country by ordinary people who were awarded Real Heroes that evening and pledged his support to the collective efforts.
Writer and columnist, Ms Shobhaa De said, “There is a need to introspect the definition of a hero. In a world that is full of card board superstars, there are people who keep India what it is. These are moments touch your lives. Our salaam !”
Please find some photos from the award ceremony held in Mumbai on 17th August 2011. (Photo: CNN IBN )