International Women’s Day: Mandi’s meticulous four who have proven their mettle beyond words
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TNR Special
The Newz Radar
MANDI: As we commemorate International Women’s Day on Friday (March 8, 2024), TNR embarks on a journey of recognition and celebration.
It’s a day to honour the trailblazers, the visionaries and the change-makers who have shaped history and continue to inspire generations. From the suffragettes who fought for women’s right to vote to the activists leading movements for gender equality, the contributions of women have been monumental.
As we reflect on their achievements, let us not only recognise their past triumphs but also commit to creating a future where every woman can thrive.
Prof Anupama Singh: Academic luminary, champion of Sardar Patel University
Serving as the Pro VC at Sardar Patel University in Mandi, she boasts of 25 years of administrative and teaching experience. Hailing from a political family with her parents among senior members of a party, Anupama has been an academic achiever and excelled at HP University. She pursued PhD in public administration before assuming a professorial role. 
Her contributions extend beyond academia, as evidenced by her directorship of Canadian studies and pivotal role in establishing the SPU, Himachal Pradesh’s second university. At 55, her accolades include university distinctions, scholarships and fellowships throughout her academic journey.
Her global footprint spans 35 countries, primarily dedicated to educational and administrative endeavours. With 15 PhD scholars under her mentorship, eight registered PhD students and three post-doctoral projects, she has significantly contributed to academic research. Additionally, her authorship of seven books underscores her intellectual prowess and scholarly contributions.
She played an active role in not only saving the university when the government considered converting it into a PG centre of HPU, but also consistently advocated for the university’s interests with the government and the media during times of crisis. She spared no effort in raising the university’s issues with the central leadership, drawing attention to its plight.
The university credits her with achieving 2f status within a mere two months of its establishment, securing approval for statutes and acquiring the buildings of the Sundernagar and Bassa campuses. Additionally, she successfully appointed 35 guest faculty without any controversy.
Tara Devi Sen: Botanical pioneer and environmental steward of Mandi
An assistant professor of botany at Vallabh Government College in Mandi, she has been a facilitator for Mid Himalayan Watershed Project from 2006 to 2009 where she spearheaded efforts to uplift both human and non-human resources, including animals, water bodies, land and forests within the watershed area.
Collaborating with various government departments such as agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and forest, she implemented holistic strategies for community upliftment and biodiversity conservation.
She played a pivotal role in establishing self-help groups and user groups for biodiversity conservation. Having postgraduate degrees in environmental sciences and botany as well as a PhD in botany, Tara actively engages in community awareness programmes aimed at promoting the sustainable utilisation of wild nutritional and medicinal food plants.
Her extensive field visits to schools and remote areas of Mandi district and Himachal Pradesh have empowered women and schoolchildren to embrace traditional knowledge for their wellbeing. She has been instrumental in leading people biodiversity preparation initiatives across five blocks of Mandi district, facilitating nursery raising, plantation, and distribution of important wild food plants.
Her expertise extends to traditional processing of wild edible plants as demonstrated in her research project titled “Traditional Processing of Wild Edible Plants of six tehsils of Mandi”. Recognised for her outstanding contributions, Sen received the prestigious project “Withania somnifera: Awareness for Cultivation and Optimum Utilization in Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh for Boosting Health and Immunity” from the National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
She is also the driving force behind the popular website www.himalayanwildfoodplants.com, which features articles on 235 locally consumed wild plants, their traditional processing methods, and indigenous uses.
Her remarkable achievements have garnered widespread acclaim, including the Special Jury Mention in the Indian Biodiversity Award 2021, FSIA – Real Super Woman Award 2021, 2nd Position in HP State Leadership Award 2021-22, Young Scientist Award 2021 from The Society of Tropical Agriculture, New Delhi, Fox Clues India Prime Women Icon Award 2022, and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Teachers Award 2023, among others.
Vinitha Thakur: From rural roots to media trailblazer, journey of resilience
Her remarkable journey is a testament to the power of determination and passion in breaking barriers and driving change. Born at Jamoh village in Silag panchayat of Mandi, her upbringing was grounded in simplicity yet filled with aspirations for a better tomorrow. Raised by her father Dhani Ram Thakur, an inspector in the transport department, and her homemaker mother Vidya Thakur, Vinitha imbibed values of resilience and perseverance from an early age.
Education became the cornerstone of Vinitha’s journey towards empowerment. From her formative years in Mandi city to her high school education at the Government Senior Secondary School in Drang, Vinitha’s thirst for knowledge knew no bounds. It was during her pursuit of higher education in the field of autism spectrum disorder, specialising in educating specially abled children, from Delhi that Vinitha discovered her calling to make a difference in the lives of others.
At the tender age of 21, Vinitha embarked on her career path, dedicating herself to teaching special children in Paddhar. Her innate talent for communication and her passion for advocacy propelled her into the world of media. From anchoring school events to hosting the prestigious “Miss India Himachal” beauty pageant in Solan, Vinitha’s journey was marked by a series of milestones that showcased her versatility and commitment to her craft.
Amidst the challenges posed by the global pandemic in 2020, Vinitha returned to her roots in Mandi where she began her stint as a reporter for a local channel. It was during this time that Vinitha’s talent caught the eye of Monica Thakur, the MD of Pole Star Media, who recognised her potential and offered her a role in a groundbreaking programme aimed at celebrating the essence of her language and culture.
The inception of “Being Pahadi” not only catapulted Vinitha into the spotlight but also served as a platform for her to advocate for women empowerment and linguistic pride.
Her unwavering commitment to promoting her language and culture resonated with audiences, setting new records of viewership and cementing her status as a trailblazer in the media industry.
Vinitha’s contributions to society have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, she was honoured with the prestigious Thakur Ved Ram Memorial Award, a testament to her dedication and impact. Furthermore, her selection as a youth icon for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 by the Election Commission underscored her influence and ability to inspire positive change.
Seema Sharma: Empowering women through theatre, courage, creativity
Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of art in empowering women. Born in Mandi, Seema embarked on her path to empowerment through the medium of theatre.
A graduate from Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla, Seema’s passion for sociology led her to pursue a master’s degree from Lucknow University, followed by a BEd from Annamalai University. Her story is not just one of academic achievement but of breaking barriers and carving a niche in a traditionally male-dominated field.
During her school days, Seema’s love for music was evident, but it was her recognition as the best actress in the eighth grade that ignited her passion for acting and set her on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Through her stellar performances in various plays, including classics like “Oedipus” by Sophocles and contemporary works like “Silence! The Court Is in Session” by Vijay Tendulkar, Seema has not only showcased her talent but also challenged societal norms and stereotypes.
Her dedication to the craft and her ability to portray diverse characters with authenticity have earned her accolades and admiration from audiences and peers alike. Beyond the stage, Seema has been instrumental in using theatre as a tool for social change and women’s empowerment. Since 1987-88, she has been at the forefront of directing children’s theatre workshops in Mandi, instilling confidence and creativity in young minds.
She has also written and directed educational plays and street plays, addressing important issues like gender equality and social justice. Her commitment to empowering women extends beyond the stage, as evidenced by her involvement in cultural presentations and festivals, where she promotes inclusivity and diversity.
Through her work, she has inspired countless women to break free from societal constraints and pursue their passions with courage and conviction. In recognition of her contributions, Seema has been honoured with prestigious awards, including a senior fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Excellence Award by ‘Divya Himachal’. Her most recent accolade, the National Award by Dastak Foundation, Amritsar, serves as a testament to her enduring commitment to women’s empowerment.
