TORONTO: Dancing Damsels Inc., an incorporated non-profit multicultural organization for arts promotion & women empowerment, honoured the newly appointed Ontario Minister of Status of women Harinder Malhi MPP with IWD Women Achiever Award 2018, while they commemorated “International Women’s Day” at the Toronto City Hall, on March 3, 2018.
Twelve other successful women from different walks of life were also presented the awards, to celebrate and recognize the social, economic and political success of women in the community.
Dancing Damsels invited a range of inspirational women who have changed and positively influenced the lives of many, to share their success stories to the audience.
The Honorable Dipika Damerla MPP, Minister of Seniors Affairs, inaugurated the event by lighting of the lamp. She presented the first IWD 2018 Women Achiever Award to Hon. Harinder Malhi MPP, Ontario Minister for Status of Women, for her achievement in field of Politics.
The Dancing Damsels team also felicitated Hon. Harinder Malhi with a certificate of recognition for her recent appointment as Ontario Minister of Status of Women.
The opening dance presented by the Dancing Damsels -Aditi Rustagi-Sandeep, Nandhini Muthukumar & Roopa Giriraja; related to this year’s 2018 IWD theme – Press for Progress – was well received by the audience.
Minister Malhi presented the IWD 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award to Aruna Papp for her lifetime contribution to the community through her work and philanthropy. Previous Lifetime Achievement Award winner and noted danseuse Dr. Menaka Thakkar and the Grand Sponsors of the event – Simmi Chacko of Diamondly and Sunisha Dhillon of Sunlife Financial , also joined her to congratulate and give away the medal and the certificates to Aruna Papp.
Twelve women whose work and efforts seek to inspire and impact their community through valuable contribution were recognized and presented with the “IWD 2018 Women Achiever Award” by the dignitaries and past IWD Women Achiever Award winners.
Asha Luthra (Community Leadership), Diane Wang-Martin (Science & Education), Kalaimathy Vageesan (Performing Arts/Dance), Latha Sukumar – (Law& Social Entrepreneurship), Rena Lu – (Community Service), Dr. Shailaja Saksena (Literature), Subhadra Vijayakumar (Performing Arts/Music) and Saleha Nahdi (Community Development) were the award recipients this year.
Dancing Damsels also recognized three doctor sisters who are fondly called the “Rambihar Sisters”- Dr. Vanessa Rambihar, Dr. Nadira Rambihar & Dr. Sherryn Rambihar by presenting the IWD 2018 Women Achiever Award for their achievements and contributions in the Health care.
Kehkasan Basu (winner of the International Children’s Peace Prize (2016) & United Nations Human Rights Champion, Turner Prize for Social Change (2017), and Energy Globe Award Winner (2017) ) -received this year’s IWD 2018 Rising Star Award. The 17 year old delivered a fiery speech warning leaders to take action on environmental change to protect the earth for future generations. She encouraged the youth to become a strong voice to effect progressive change so that globally children can exercise their right to education and individuality; to be safe from abuse and harm from acid attacks.
Member of Parliament for Mississauga Erin Mills Iqra Khalid delivered the keynote address on this year’s IWD theme “Press for Progress” including a message to the audience that “perseverance” is the key to progress, especially as more women step up to take leadership positions in many levels of governments and in their professions. In her address, she also presented the organizers and members of Dancing Damsels Inc. with a greeting from the Federal Government.
The guest speaker of the evening Theresa Hunt, Paralegal and President of Histiocytosis Association of Canada, enlivened and spurred the audience by sharing her experiences and her vision for women in times to come.
Regional Councilor of Mississauga Ward 3, Chris Fonseca, presented some of the IWD Women Achiever awards and delivered closing remarks emphasizing the importance of encouraging and supporting upcoming women in social and economic areas to progress to greater heights.
Managing Director Mary Ashok welcomed the chief guests and the audience; and the media spokesperson Salome Paryag made the opening remarks. The sponsors of this year’s event were recognized by Director Sudarshan Meenakshisundaram and the vote of thanks was delivered by DD Legal Advisor Lata Menon.
This free event was well attended by family and friends of the award winners and the public. Delicious food and captivating entertainment delighted the audience. The Dancing Damsels true to their name, organized entertainments including dance companies from the Greater Toronto Area to perform and highlight the diversity and beauty of dance. An Indian classical dance by students of Kalai Natiyalaiya Fine Arts and the traditional dance by Chinese QIPAO Society women enhanced the truly international flavour.
Simmi Chacko of Diamondly and Sunisha Dhillon of Sunlife Financial, PROMOSAM, MagnaCarta Legal Services and Best Tutors Brampton Inc. were the sponsors of the event.
Under the leadership of Mary Ashok, Gita Sankaran, Lata Menon, Sudarshan Meenakshisundaram, Jaison Mathew, Salome Nalini Paryag, Kushalini Kumar, Yuvarani Kamalamoorthy, Vishnuvardhan Subramaniam, and Tamilselvan Raju, lots of volunteers contributed their time and efforts to organize one more successful event.
Ashman Khroad and Arjun Menon were the emcees of the event.
Report by: Salome Nalini Paryag (Media Coordinator for Dancing Damsels Inc.)
