Tilu Rauteli honour for Suman Adhikari of Haldwani

On 9th of August an enterprising woman with her outstanding contribution in the field of social activism who gave employment to a good number of grass-root women in Haldwani was felicitated by the Uttarakhand Film vom Natya Institute at Bal Bhawan Auditorium by the member of parliament from Pauri Garhwal and Supreme Court advocate Tirath Singh Rawat and Sanjay Darmora. She hails from a rural background

The award is given to outstanding women every year for their novel and valuable contributions in the field of social activism, art, theatre, sports, writing, journalism and in other peculiar fields across spectrum known as Veerangna Tilu Rauteli Samman. ( Warrior Tilu Rauteli Honor).

Tilu Rauteli was a great woman warrior who had sacrificed her life along with her brothers and father while relentlessly fighting the then landlords and kings trying to invade their territory in Garhwal Himalayas in 1661. She sacrificed her life during the incessant battle to safeguard her land and modesty. Since then every year her death anniversary is organized and commemorated on the 9th of August. A grand cultural event with melodious songs and drama on her life and sacrifice was organized on this occasion. This also included folk dances.

In Uttarakhand several iconic women towing the sacrifice and courage of late warrior Tilu Rauteli have made a special mark for their outstanding and exemplary feats and contributions to the society viz first woman Mount Everest Conquerer and Padma Vibhushan Bachendri Pal, Chipko founder and leader Gaura Devi, Bisni Devi Sah, Kabootri Devi, Hansa Dhanayi, Dr. Kusum Nautiyal, Vasanti Bisht, Belmati Chouhan, Tinchri Mai who fought against the prevalence of illegal liquor, Madhuri Barthwal, Hema Uniyal and Reena Kaushal Dharmashaktu etc.

The recipient of the prestigious Tilu Raiteli honors Suman Adhikari deserves to be congratulated for her grass-root level contribution amongst the women of Uttarakhand Himalayas giving them not only employment at the local level but also inculcating in them the spirit to counter challenging situations and arrange sustenance for their families even though they have limited means.

The jury members of the prestigious honor were Literateur Pooran Chandra Kandpal, theatre activist and writer Hem Pant and senior journalist Sushma Jugran.