Leading social and cultural organisation of Mumbai, Fine Arts Society in Chembur felicitated eight outstanding women achievers with the Stree Ratna Award on the occasion of International Women's Day on 8^th March 2024. The recipients were selected from different fields like corporate, social, educational and cultural as well.

The recipients were Suguna Varadachari, veteran Carnatic musician, Darshana Jhaveri, eminent Manipuri exponent and mentor, Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant, veteran Bharata natyam and Kuchipudi exponent, Anupama Hoskere, eminent puppeteer, Dr Neerja Birla of Aditya Birla Education Trust for education and mental health, Zarin Daruwala , CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Neerja Kapur,MD of New India Assurance Company and MV Bhanumathi, former Director General of Income Tax Investigation.

The award winners were felicitated by the dignitaries of the Fine Arts Society and their tireless efforts in the betterment of the family and the society at large was lauded and appreciated as women has captured every field and their outstanding contribution definitely needs to be appreciated and recognised., as they form an integral part of the society. Mala Shridhar, Jt Secretary of Fine Arts Society said "8^th March is the International Women's Day, hence the most suitable occasion to honour and appreciate women achievers in different fields. In the family, the woman plays the key role in establishing and maintaining harmonious relationships in the family, similarly when a woman steps out to maintain her professional relationship it is quite challenging in the male dominant society but she is prepared for everything and emerges victorious, which is really amazing and praise worthy".

On this occasion Tygaraja Ramayana by Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant and Neha Sathnapalli was presented and applauded by the audience.

By Guru Vijay Shanker