International Women`s Day: Jackie Shroff, Renuka Shahane to felicitate three women

Mumbai: Three eminent women will be felicitated in Mumbai on the eve of International Women`s Day by actor Jackie Shroff and actor-director Renuka Shahane, for their contribution in their respective fields. International Women`s Day is observed March 8. The three women are Sindhutai Sapkal, who has raised many orphans in the city; Parimala Bhat, who despite her blindness works as a healthcare worker, and Bharatnatyam dancer Sandhya Purecha will be felicitated for meritorious work with women, children and specially-abled people. The event organised for the occasion, "Samanvay: Shiv Sakti-Tatva" is a classical dance recital organised by Rujuta Soman Cultural Academy in association with Shroff. It is an initiative to recognise the pioneering work of the women who have dedicated their lives to the betterment and upliftment of underprivileged sections of society. "Our performance which will be full of colour, energy and flow, telling the plight of the river (Ma Ganga) and the women (Shakti) in Modern India - both originating from Lord Shiva, they are life-giving and life-sustaining and their destruction is the destruction of life," said Rujuta Soman, director of the academy. The academy, which closely works with destitute children at Mumbai NGOs, has adopted Kathak as therapy, in order to heal the body and mind. "Everyday should be Women`s Day for my mother, my wife and my daughter have been my strength. It is an honour to have my name associated with such great ladies," Shroff said. IANS