KOTTAYAM: Glowing tributes were paid to the late Mercy Ravi, woman leader of the Congress and wife of Civil Aviation and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, on Saturday. The occasion was the presentation of the first Mercy Ravi award instituted by a foundation in her name here.
Presenting the award to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Defence Minister A K Antony described Vayalar Ravi and Mercy as a great phenomenon in Congress politics.
"I've seen every step taken by Ravi in politics and the support extended by Mercy as well as the care and affection of Ravi towards Mercy," he said.
The commitment of Mercy towards women's issues and as an MLA of Kottayam was hundred per cent.
Bestowing the first Mercy Ravi memorial 'Woman of Substance' award to the Delhi Chief Minister, Antony congratulated the Mercy Ravi Foundation for unanimously selecting her for the award and observed that Delhiites are extending their wholehearted support to their Chief Minister not on account of her 'Iron Lady' image but as a mass leader without any airs who sincerely works for the uplift of the poor.
Antony said Sheila Dikshit has successfully implemented the Metro rail project and significantly brought down the pollution levels in one of the most polluted cities in the world by going in for LNG conversion of transport vehicles and creation of green belts, he noted.
"After leading the Congress in the polls to victory 15 years ago, many were doubtful of a second term, but she proved everyone wrong. She scored a resounding hattrick victory underscoring her popularity and acceptance among the masses," Antony said.
Recalling his close association with the Dikshit family since the late sixties, Antony said that Sheila Dikshit has proved that she can conquer the minds of the slum dwellers, commoners and the youth alike.
"She is a model to all woman leaders. It is not roads and flyovers alone. Indraprastha should become the cleanest city in the world," Antony said. The Mercy Ravi award is meant to honour outstanding women leaders in the country and consists of `1 lakh, a memento and a citation. While expressing her gratitude to the foundation in selecting her for the award, Sheila Dikshit returned the cash prize for the future activities of the foundation. She recalled that for her, Mercy Ravi was one who had made her mark in every field.
"She was a writer and fighter, a personality to be emulated," she felt.
Making it clear that 50 per cent of the seats in the ensuing Delhi municipal corporation polls would be set apart for women, Sheila also listed out her initiatives which had led to allround infrastructure development in the country's capital as well as women's empowerment.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy presided over the function.
KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala delivered the keynote address. Finance Minister K M Mani, Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Rural Development Minister K C Joseph, Padmasri recipient businessmen M A Yusuf Ali and C K Menon spoke.
Foundation chairman and Mathrubhumi managing director P V Chandran welcomed the gathering and DCC president Kurien Joy proposed a vote of thanks.