NEW DELHI: Age is just a number and dreams can be achieved at any age, that is the message that came out loud and strong from the Nari Shakti Puraskar ceremony on Sunday at Rashtrapati Bhawan. 105-year-old Bhageerathi Amma and 98-year-old Karthyayini Amma from Alappuzha in Kerala were conferred with the award for their enthusiasm to accomplish their literacy dream and pass the Class IV literacy equivalent examinations under state literacy mission programme.

President Ram Nath Kovind presented the awards for the year 2019 to 15 eminent women in recognition of their efforts in rendering distinguished services towards emancipation of women, especially those from the vulnerable and marginalized sections.

Bhageerathi Amma who was unable to travel to receive the award has an inspiring story. She was inspired to take the examination in Malayalam, Mathematics and Environment in November, 2019. At 105 years, she is the oldest literacy equivalent learner under Kerala State Literacy Mission. During her childhood she had to quit education to take care of her siblings. With her memory and eyesight intact, her 67 years old daughter was present to help her during the examinations.

Karthyayini Amma appeared for writing her fourth standard equivalency course in August 2018. She bagged the first rank and scored 98% marks. She aspires to clear tenth standard equivalent examination when she turns 100 and also acquire computer skills. She was also selected as the Commonwealth of Learning Goodwill Ambassador.

Another awardee who proves that age is no barrier, is 103 - year - old Mann Kaur called the ‘Miracle from Chandigarh.’ She started her athletic career at the age of 93 and won 4 Gold (track and field) at World Masters Athletic Championship, Poland. She has set a record by becoming the world’s fastest centenarian at the American Masters Game, 2016. She has been associated with Fit India Movement. Her citation states that despite suffering from osteoporosis, she has displayed how determination is key to success.

These awards are an initiative of the ministry of women and child development to acknowledge the exceptional contribution made by individuals and institutions, to celebrate women as game changers and catalyst of positive change in the society. The awardees are from fields as diverse as agriculture, sports, handicrafts, afforestation and wildlife conservation, armed forces and education.

Those among the awardees include Indian Air Force’s first women fighter pilots Mohana Singh, Bhawana Kanth and Avani Chaturvedi. The trio was induced into IAF fighter squadron after Government of India decided to open fighter stream in IAF for women on experimental basis. They became the first Indian women pilots to take a solo flight in a MIG- 21 in 2018.

The awardees also include 28 year old twins Tashi and Nungshi who are mountaineers since more than 8 years. They are the first female twins to scale Mt Everest in 2013. They founded NungshiTashi Foundation to develop mountaineering as sport and empower girls in 2015.

