Gurmehar Kaur, others honoured at ''Punjabi Icon'' awards

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, April 15

Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of a martyr killed in action, who was recently trolled by right-wing activists for her online comments advocating peace between India and Pakistan, was among those honoured with the 'Punjabi Icon' award here on the occasion of Baisakhi.

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Instituted by the Punjabi Cultural Heritage Board, the 'Punjabi Icon' awards were given to Kaur, Manish Paul, Bollywood personalities Neha Kakkar, Urvashi Rautela and others.

In a statement, the president of the PCHB and Congress leader Charan Singh Sapra said the awards are given to Punjabis who have excelled in respective fields.

Punjab Cabinet minister Charanjit Singh Channi was chief guest.

Sapra said Gurmehar Kaur was felicitated in the “Courageous Youth” category. “Gurmehar Kaur, a daughter of martyred Sikh, had fought against unlawful behaviour of ABVP in Ramjas College, Delhi.

This was her first public appearance after she withdrew himself, when her clash with ABVP turned into a national debate. It requires tremendous courage for a college student from a simple family to raise her voice against such unruly behaviour,” Sapra said.

Others who were awarded included industrialists and corporate personalities like R.S. Kalsi, executive director, Maruti Udyog Ltd; L.D. Mittal, chairman, Sonalika Group; Rajiee Shinde, CEO, PTC Network; and ‘Asia’s Strongest Man’ Manoj Chopra.