Improving on education will change mindsets.
NEW DELHI:
Actor Sonam Kapoor became emotional while talking about Nirbhaya, the deceased gang rape victim who will be honoured by America’s first lady Michelle Obama.
“I get teary-eyed every time I talk about it. It becomes very difficult for me. Doing something like this to any man, woman or animal is deplorable. To honour someone, who was courageous and fought a battle, is brilliant,” said Sonam.
The 23-year-old, who was brutally gang-raped and tortured in the Indian capital, died in December last year. Nirbhaya is among 10 extraordinary women who will be honoured on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, with the Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award by Michelle Obama in Washington, USA.
Nirbhaya, which actually means fearless in Hindi, will be awarded posthumously and Sonam said it will give her case publicity, which is needed “because people tend to forget”.
“When something like rape happens, there is a lot of hue and cry, but it is forgotten. This honour will keep the incident fresh in our memory,” she added.
Sonam was in New Delhi on Thursday to announce the second edition of L’Oreal Paris Femina Women Awards 2013. Honouring women with extraordinary accomplishment, outstanding leadership qualities and exceptional commitment to their careers, the awards will be held March 19 in Mumbai.
Sonam, L’Oreal Paris’s brand ambassador, said, “The most powerful people in our country are women and we need to encourage them, they are doing so much for art, culture, and society.”
She believes education is important to change mindsets. “It is about being open, aware and start respecting women. I think illiteracy is the biggest cause of this kind of mindset. I think once people get more educated, things will change.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2013.
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