Limca Book's latest edition dedicated to women

, March 6: Celebrating

across various fields, the

Book of Records on Thursday launched its 25th edition on the theme "Empowering Women".

An event held at the India Habitat Centre here felicitated 25 "inspirational women" as "People of the Year".

The women honoured included Olympic medal-winning boxer M.C. Mary Kom, artist Arpana Caur, human rights activist Anjali Gopalan, actress Waheeda Rehman and Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed.

The Dec 16, 2012, gangrape victim was also remembered.

"I believe the biggest challenge women face is that of equality and an entrenched culture of discrimination. Society needs to work together to fight the stigmas and create an equal opportunity environment. I dedicate this award to the millions of women fighting these stigmas on a daily basis," Gopalan said.

The women were chosen by an independent panel comprising eminent journalist H.K. Dua, former High Court chief justice Leila Seth, and Barsha Poricha, programme director of the National Foundation for India.

The launch also marked the silver jubilee of the Limca Book of Records.

IANS