Mangaluru: The Abhaya Bravery Awards were presented to women achievers and supporters of the Rape-Free India movement during a special programme organised to mark International Women’s Day, recognising courage, leadership and contributions towards women’s safety and empowerment.
The event brought together several prominent personalities, social activists and supporters who encouraged the award recipients and reiterated the need to strengthen efforts towards creating a safer and more equal society for women.
State President of Mahila Congress in Karnataka Ms Sowmya Reddy, World Champion 2025 in Bodybuilding Ms Jyothsna Naidu, and retired KAS officer K Mathai joined Team Abhaya during the programme. Their presence was seen as a strong gesture of support for the awardees and the broader cause of women’s empowerment.
Several other prominent personalities including Brinda Adige, Dr Girish Mood, Mr Antony Sajeeth, Janab Zafer Mohiuddin and Brijesh Gokhale were also present at the event, lending encouragement to the award winners.
Encouraging courage and social responsibility
The Abhaya Bravery Awards aim to recognise individuals who demonstrate courage and commitment in promoting women’s safety and dignity. The organisers highlighted that such recognition not only honours individual achievements but also inspires society to actively support the protection and empowerment of women.
The programme served as a platform to highlight stories of resilience and bravery while also encouraging collective responsibility in addressing issues such as violence against women.
Speakers at the event emphasised that social awareness and community participation are essential in building a safer environment for women across the country.
Support from partners and associates
Mr Debmalya Bhattacharyya, Director of Abhaya Group, expressed gratitude to all associates and supporters who contributed to the success of the initiative.
He extended heartfelt thanks to partners including De-Design, Rawley Associate, ASG Travel India Private Limited and Newskarnataka.com for supporting the Abhaya Bravery Awards and standing in solidarity with the Rape-Free India movement.
Special appreciation was also conveyed to Ayan Pramanick and Aslam Pasha for their continued support and commitment as loyal supporters of the initiative.
Organisers noted that collaboration with institutions, media partners and individuals plays an important role in sustaining campaigns that promote awareness, safety and empowerment for women.
Call for year-round commitment to women’s safety
Highlighting the broader message of the event, Abhaya Group CEO Payel Sengupta stressed that the spirit of International Women’s Day should extend beyond a single day of recognition.
“Women’s Day should not be a symbol of one day’s appreciation, but a promise of 365 days of equality and safety,” she said.
Her message underlined the need for consistent efforts from society, government institutions and communities to ensure women’s safety, dignity and equal opportunities throughout the year.
Promoting a safer and inclusive society
The organisers said that initiatives like the Abhaya Bravery Awards aim to amplify the voices of individuals working towards social change and to encourage more people to actively participate in promoting women’s rights and safety.
They emphasised that sustained awareness campaigns, public participation and institutional support are essential to achieving long-term progress in addressing violence and discrimination against women.
As the event concluded, participants reiterated their commitment to continue working towards a society where women can live with dignity, security and equal opportunities.