Raveena Tandon wins Woman & Child Welfare Icon award
Raveena Tandon wears many hats. Apart from being a National Awardwinning actor, she is also known to be a philanthropist, associated with various causes. It comes as no surprise then, that she was recently awarded the Iconic-Woman & Child Welfare Icon Award at a prestigious ceremony held in Delhi.
The award is an initiative that brings together the world of luxury, travel, hospitality and beyond. An industry first, Iconic is both a forum for discussion as well as a stage to recognise the stalwarts of the industry.
Raveena is known to be a supporter of woman empowerment, and much ahead of the times, she had adopted two girls at the age of 21, thus becoming a single mother at the prime of her career. She has been tirelessly working for the welfare of the girl child, with various organisations such as UNICEF, Cry, White Ribbon Alliance for safe motherhood, Spina Bifida Association, Smile foundation, an ambassador of a programme for the hygiene of young girls, and Mission Sahasi which enables women in self-defence.
Ecstatic with the honour, Raveena says, “I am honoured to receive this award. I wish that we can also bring to the forefront some of the unsung heroes who are trying to make this world a better place to live in. Most of our girls in regional states and interior parts, are not even aware of the rights they have. They are oppressed in some areas, and completely ruled by the patriarchal atmosphere.”
She goes on to add, “I think more celebs should come out and speak about issues, because our voice can be heard. People look up to us, and since the society has given us so much fame and recognition, it becomes a moral obligation for us to work towards the betterment of our society.”
Not just that, in 2001, Raveena single-handedly housed 30 orphan girls in her bungalow with the sisters of a trust when they had been turned out by their landlord. With the help of her friends, she collected funds and built an orphanage for them in Vasai, Maharashtra.