Two Chhattisgarh women make it to 100 Women Achiever's of India contest

RAIPUR: Two Chhattisgarh women have been recognized by union Ministry of Women and Child Development among 100 women in country as part of unique initiative of Women Achievers of India, a contest conducted by MWCD and Facebook for the women who have made a difference.The winners will be facilitated by President Pranab Mukherjee at New Delhi on January 22.Officials at MWCD told TOI that Padma Bhushan Teejan Bai of Durg district, an exponent of Pandavani- a traditional performing art form and Sadhana Sharma- a self-made woman of Korba district have registered maximum votes on Facebook after undergoing several levels of scrutiny for the categories of art and culture and women empowerment respectively.While Sadhana Sharma confirmed about the intimation, Teejan Bai said that she wasn't yet informed yet about the news, though officials at MWCD said that the announcements will be officially made on Wednesday.The 100 Women Initiative contest was launched in July last year to in spirit of acknowledging and recognizing the women contributors through public nominations via social media. With nominations flooding for 20 categories, they were scrutinized and then posted on Facebook for public to endorse, like and vote from the best 200.Famously known as 'Computer Madam' at Korba district, journey for Sadhana Sharma, 53, wasn't as easy one as she got married at the age of 20 with a Bsc degree in hand for next ten years. But determined to make a difference, she started pursuing computer studies and this passion promoted her multiple degrees of MBA, M.Phil in computer science,MSc-IT and PGDCA.Started with a small room and one system to teach computers to tribal children in least available resources, Sadhana now own a full-fledged lab with more than 70 computers and her students have performed outstandingly.Another winner Padma Bhushan Teejan Bai, who is the first woman from Pardhi community to perform Pandavani due to which she was also expelled from the tribe but she continued to perform right in 1980.She continues to enthrall audiences, the world over with her unique folk singing and her powerful voice; and pass on her singing to the younger generation.