Binalakshmi Nepram Bags L’Oréal Paris Femina Women Award

In yet another encouraging news for Manipur, Binalakshmi Nepram also known as “The Face & Voice of North East”, has been awarded the prestigious L’Oréal Paris Femina Women Award 2015 in the category of “Face of A Cause”. This is the first time any Manipuri or anyone from the North East region has won such a prestigious award.

The awards were given away in Mumbai last week at a jam packed,glittering, power packed ceremony held at The Leela that was filled with India’s who’s who in the field of business, arts, politics and entertainment. In a statement issued by Femina, Binalakshmi Nepram was recognized and honoured for continuously and selflessly striving to make this world a better place. Femina also stated that women like her are “Women of worth who have been silently working for various causes and issues concerning the society… woman with extraordinary accomplishment, outstanding leadership qualities and exceptional commitment to her career and community”.

Ms Nepram was dressed in traditional Manipur dress of phanek and wore a turmeric hued Manipuri enaphi hand-woven by women of the State as she received the award to the applause of many. In a statement issued by Ms Nepram, she said, “In honouring me, Femina has honoured the women of Manipur and North East India”. She dedicated the award to the brave mothers of Manipur & North East India who through their sheer grit and determination have steered the course of history of the State and region inspite of over 60 years of armed conflict. She vowed that she will be working with several women across Manipur and region to bring about much needed change for peace and progress.

Born to Nepram Bihari and Yensembam Ibemhal, Ms Nepram hails from Sagolband Nepra Menjor Leikai. Ms Nepram is a poet, author of 4 books and is founder of award winning organization Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Control Arms Foundation of India. She is recipient of several National and internationally recognized awards for her work on women led initiatives for peace and downtrodden women survivors of armed conflict in Manipur and North East Region.

In January 2015 prestigious Forbes (India) Magazine named her as one of “24 Young Minds to Watch out for in 2015” and London based organization, “Action on Armed Violence” named Ms Nepram as one of top 100 influential people in world working on armed violence reduction. Whole of Manipur and North East Region has been celebrating Ms Nepram’s win since news of award came in, a first ever win by any Manipuri or a North Easterner.

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