Raj Dutta

CELEBRATING WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

To a super woman

Your worth is not in the things you do
Your worth lies in your care and through
You go beyond your limit in life
You are so strong from inside
You sacrifice for that one smile
You are there for people you love all the while
You are a true woman of substance
And a big salute to you in life
Happy women's day to you!
Being so pure and true!...Unknown

08 March is celebrated globally as International Women's Day (IWD) to bring to light the Women’s rights movement in issues such as gender equality and violence and abuse against women. It is commemorated in a variety of ways worldwide; it is a public holiday in several countries, and observed to celebrate and promote the achievements of women. Women who have excelled in various fields are rewarded by Governments and local organisations.

Two of our own Super Ladies from Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter were bestowed this unique honour on Women’s Day 2023. While Alankar Creation, an Institution of Arts, Culture and Music of Mumbai felicitated NFMC’s Veer Naris Mentor, the graceful Dr Kanta Mukherjee at Juhu’s ISCKON Auditorium on Friday 10 Mar; the Rotary Club of Bombay bestowed the honour to the dynamic Veteran LtCdr Rajeshwari Kori the next evening 11 Mar at the Rooftop of Trident, Nariman Point. Before we move on to presentation of Awards, it would be prudent for the reader to glance at the enviable and brilliant profile the two dynamic young Ladies are blessed with.

DR KANTA MUKHERJEE

Dr (Capt) Kanta Mukherjee, 75 yrs, is a Social reformer, a renowned environmental enthusiast and a Veer Nari with a Vision.

Having graduated in dental surgery, from Mumbai in 1968 and internship in Willingdon and Safdarjung Hospital's burns department in Delhi, She Joined Army Dental corps in January 1971 and treated soldiers with facial and jaw casualties during the 1971 War. She displayed tremendous courage in expeditious surgery and care of soldiers being brought in from War zones to Base hospital, Delhi Cantt. She was later posted to Army Dental Centre Panjim in 1972 and gave cover to all Army centers around.

She Got married in 1972 at Goa, to a Naval Doctor, Late VAdm HP Mukherjee (former Director General Medical Services (NAVY)). After quitting service in January 1976, She started private practice at Dimapur where Admiral Mukherjee was then posted with Border Roads. After Nagaland She has practiced in Mumbai, then Cochin, back to Mumbai at Kemps corner and Hughes road. Finally shifted to her own residence at Versova in February 1989.

Not one to rest on her past laurels, She involved herself in upliftment of Society. She is a renowned social worker and an environmentalist of Andheri and Juhu and has solved all local issues of water, sanitation, upkeep of roads, illegal encroachments and beautification of surroundings. She involved herself extensively working for removal of encroachment and beautification of area under “Saaf Aangan Scheme” of BMC. Her Contribution to welfare of handicapped and providing free dental treatment to poor in the area, has been appreciated by BMC Commissioner in various forums.

She formed an NGO (Access Smile Foundation) to treat children born with birth defect of cleft lip and cleft palate. During COVID times in the past two years, her NGO supplied Smart COVID OPDs to all the government hospitals in Mumbai for protection of doctors working on COVID patients. This noble gesture deservedly was much appreciated by the fraternity of health care workers.

She had shifted to Versova along with her husband about 30 yrs ago. Their building is next to the mangroves. Her heart used to cry seeing the people cutting and destroying the mangroves for fire wood and used to stop them. Although she tried to teach them the importance of Mangroves in helping against soil erosion, it fell on deaf ears of locals. One fine morning she was horrified to see all the mangroves in front of the building cut down to stumps. It sent shockwaves to all the residents and that was the beginning of her participation in environmental activities of her Area. High Court was moved and mangroves of Versova area were saved by erecting a fence along the 2 km stretch of the mangroves. A Social Worker with a difference She is regarded as the “Durga” of her area. On the occasion of 75^th Independence Day of India, ‘Hindi Academy’ decided to honour prominent Veterans of Mumbai by the Governor of Maharashtra, H.E. Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari. The Academy felicitated Dr Kanta Mukherjee with the Award of Matrubhoomi Bhushan Samman 2021, for relentlessly serving the Society.

She is also an active Committee Member of the NFMC (Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter), largest of the 17 Chapters Pan India with over 1300 Naval Veterans and Veer Naris. Despite being a Senior Veer Nari herself, she has been looking after the welfare of all Veer Naris of NFMC whole heartedly. She is a worthy mentor to them and not only facilitates the Armed Forces Veer Naris pension formalities, but additionally provides them moral and social support by visiting them often.

LTCDR RAJESHWARI KORI

Rajeshwari (Raju) started her career in the short service commission in the logistics branch in 1995. She figures in the Limca Book of Records as the first Lady Officer to be posted to a Front Line Indian Naval Warship, INS Jyoti. She was born on 16 Sep 1973 at Bagalkot Karnataka. During her childhood her Dad, Late LtCdr Gangadhar Sangappa Kori (Regulating Branch) had named her ‘Raju’ and ever since she has been in the forefront of all activities that she undertook. Her mother Late Veer Nari Kashibai Kori had been a Principal of a Junior college, later a teacher in KVs. Raju studied in convent schools in Vizag / Port Blair and KV Colaba before graduating with Distinction in Commerce from Bhosla Military College Nasik in 1994. 30 Nov 1995 was a momentous occasion for her Mother, when she pipped stripes on her daughter’s slender shoulders at INS Mandovi. During her Naval career, she tied the knot with a Naval Constructor Cdr Sandeep Kumar and is blessed with two beautiful Daughters Aditi & Divya. Both her kids are as brilliant and bubbly as their mother. She retired in 2010 and has settled in Powai. Her passions in life include running marathons and long distance cycling and trekking. Post retirement she joined Home Guards Mumbai and had a tenure at Raigarh, Maharashtra as Commandant Civil Defence as a Senior staff & Training. She has been rendering yeoman’s service to marooned people in remote areas during disasters. During the recent floods in the coastal Maharashtra she with her team, worked in conjunction with the Naval Divers for rescue efforts of marooned villagers. She has been awarded on a number of occasions by Government and Private agencies. She has been felicitated for her achievements at Pune by Cmde PK Malhotra, President NFPC, three years ago.

PRESENTATION AT JUHU

Dr Kanta Mukherji’s beautiful and proficient daughter Dr Sonali Bharti, a Dentist by profession, accompanied her adorable mother for the scintillating Awards ceremony at the ISKCON Auditorium and it was a proud moment for her too. She had been mighty impressed by the show.

She says, “Dr. Kanta Mukherjee was invited by Ex Chairman, ward committee -MCGM and Alankar Creation Trustee for receiving the prestigious ‘Wonder Women Awards 2023’ at 7pm on 10 Mar. Alankar creation and Nari Shaktikaran Sanstha awarded women who have shown their significant and tireless contribution in their respective fields of work. She received the award from the Chief guest Shri Ameet Satam (MLA & Maha Mantri), Bindiya Goswami (film actress) and many eminent personalities.

It was a funfilled musical evening with various dance performances and the highlight was hindi film industry play back singer Sanjeevani Bhilande singing her famous movie and album songs in her extremely melodious voice.”

PRESENTATION AT TRIDENT, NARIMAN POINT

International Women's Day was celebrated in Mumbai by the Rotary Clubs organizing a special event to honour 15 special women from different categories, each receiving a "Shakti Award" for an outstanding achievement or exemplary service to society. Among the distinguished Award Winners the two show stealers, who marvelled at the stage were Ms Vidya Balan (Performing Arts - Cinema) and our very own LtCdr Rajeshwari Kori (Armed Services).

Others who were also awarded in various fields of expertise were : Ms. Amla Ruia (Social Innovator), Ms. Geeta Chouhan (Parasports), Ms. Monisha Narke (Environment & Sustainability), Ms. Nikita Raut (Differently Abled Professionals), Ms. Anahita Uberoi (Performing Arts - Theatre), Ms. Jayashri Burman (Artist), Ms. Nandita Venkatesan (Journalist), Ms. Nina Sabnani (Filmmaker), Dr. (Sr.) Aquinas Edassery (Medical Frontline Worker), Ms. Khursid Mistry (Sports), Dr. Neerja Birla (Education), Ms. Punam Pradeep Kumar (Scientist), and Ms. Vidya Shah (Philanthropist).

The Chief Guest for the evening was Mr Frank Geerkens, Counsel General of Belgium.

LtCdr Rajeshwari Kori says, "As an awardee I was impressed and humbled to attend this special event and to listen to the life stories of those remarkable women. A big Thank you to the Presidents of the three hosting Rotary clubs: Ms. Els Reynaers, Mr. Vineet Bhatnagar, and Ms. Saroj Verma, for organizing this extraordinary first-time event."

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On behalf of President NFMC and all Veterans and Veer Naris, here’s wishing the two strong and brilliant Pillars of NFMC Dr Kanta Mukherjee and LtCdr Rajeshwari Kori many congratulations for the honour bestowed. May your brilliance radiate far and wide inspiring us to tread on your footsteps.

Sam No Varunah

Jai Hind

(Double click the video and finger zoom for comfortable view)

SNAPS DR KANTA MUKHERJEE

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