Hiraiben Lobi of Gujarat conferred Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar

Mumbai, Jan 9 (UNI) Hiraiben Lobi of Junagarh was today conferred the prestigeous 14th Indian Merchant Chambers' (IMC) Ladies wing's 'Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar 2006' by veteran Bollywood actor and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan for her outstanding contribution to Rural Entrepreneurship here.

The Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar, instituted in 1993 in memory of Padma Vibhusan Smt Jankidevi Bajaj, comprises a cash award of Rs 1,50,000, a citation and a certificate.

Ms Lobi has encouraged entrepreneurship through various activities including organic fertilizer manufacturing, neem oil production and animal husbandry.

Deprived of education in her early childhood, she set up a day care centre and school for children and engaged trained teachers.

On the occassion, Ms Lobi thanked the IMC and the Jankidevi Bajaj family for conferring the honour on her.

''This honour will further ignite my passion and I will continue my work with full vigour,'' she said.

Appreciating the dedication and sincerity of Ms Lobi, Ms Bachchan said the award was a befitting tribute to a person of her stature, who is joyfully changing the face of rural India and its challenges.

A recipient of 'Prize for Women's Creativity in Rural Life' by the Women's World Summit Foundation, Switzerland in 2002, Ms Lobi discusses crucial issues related with government department and senior officials with authority.

UNI