By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 6: Sahyadri Hirkani of Doordarshan Kendra organized ninth award ceremony at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, Dadar (West) here on Tuesday March 5 evening.
Nine distinguished women from across Maharashtra were conferred the Ninth Sahyadri Hirkanit Award sponsored by Sunsilk to mark the International Women’s Day.
Doordarshan – Sahyadri Vahini western division convener Mukhesh Sharma presided over the programme. Mumbai University vice-chancellor Dr Rajan Velukar and Bollywood movie director Govind Nihalani were the chief guests of the occasion.
Mukhesh Sharma, Dr Rajan Welukar and Govinda Nihalani presented the Ninth Sahyadri Hirkani Award to Ryan Foundation MD Grace Pinto during the programme.
Bollywood comedy actor Johny Lever, Amol Palekar, Mumbai University former vice-chancellor Dr Snehalata Deshpande, lawyer Ujwal Nikam, Rohini Hattangady, veteran cricketer Ajit Wadekar, Amin Sheval, former corporator Kiran Shantaram, senior journalist Kumar Ketkar, Suchitra Sadanand Shetty, Padmabhushan Deshpande, Pramod Nalavadekar, Laxmikant Deshpande and others were the guests of honour.
Other Hirkani Award recipients during the Ninth award ceremony: Neela Satyanarayan IAS (Maharashtra's first woman Election Commissioner), Sharada Sathe (first woman commission – Mahila Aayog, Maharastra), Neelima Mishra (in the field of rural micro credit in Maharastra), Dr Jamuna Pai (hair and skin specialist), Priti Patkar (founder member of Prerna), Indira Jaising (first additional solicitor general), Dr Devayani Borole (senior polar woman) and Prema Jayakumar (all India CA exam topper).
Shibani Sharma, Snehal Pinto, faculty from NSU Florida USA Dr Shields, Dr Kwasnik, Alice Vaz, Arati Chanana and others were also present.
Amol Khole and Samira Gujar compered the programme.
As part of cultural programme, musical performance by Ryan Foundation, Sarangi dance by Dilshad Group and Siddesh Dalvi entertained the audience.