(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Sultana Siddiqui, a Pakistani television director and producer, was honoured with the Gr8 Women's award for excellence in media at the 5th GR8! Women Awards Middle East Dubai on January 12, Monday
Sultana Siddiqui was one among several other women who were felicitated at the awards for outstanding achievement in the respective fields - art, cinema, entrepreneurship, and education respectively.
This year's edition featured 16 categories.
Bollywood celebrities Alia Bhatt, Parineeti Chopra, Nimrat Kaur, and choreographer Pony Verma, among others walked on the red carpet at the event endorsing women empowerment. Actor Karan Grover anchored the star-studded event while actors Neil Nitin Mukesh, Richa Chadda and Surveen Chawla took to the stage with their action-packed performances.
A visibly delighted Siddiqui said she hopes other women in her country also get inspired and work towards turning their dreams into realities. "I think women in Pakistan are brilliant in their field and very hard working. But most of the time they are let down by the society. I believe they need to put in extra efforts and their families and the society must encourage them,: said Siddiqui who holds a 40-year experience in the field of media and runs her own production house € Moomal production € the biggest in the country € and runs four channels. Today she was honoured with the Gr8 Women's award for excellence in media.
On being asked about the need of empowering women, actress Alia Bhatt said, "The only reason we keep saying "empower women" is because there's something lacking when it comes to giving women what they deserve. So I think there should be equality across all genders."
Alia Bhatt added if she had to award a woman in her life, it would be her mother.
Actress Parineeti Chopra however didn't have a specific person in mind. She said: "Different elements in every man and woman inspire me. It's hard to pick one person I would give the award to. At the same time, I feel people need to motivate and respect women and this is a great platform for doing just that."
Actress Surveen Chawla said: "It's important to recognize women for their work so that they keep growing in life. It's necessary in India and all across the world. To award "women of substance" is overrated because I think everyone has that "substance", they only need to identify it. If I had to award a woman today, it definitely would be my mother. Whatever I am today is because of her. However for me, the biggest award is if I am able to inspire someone."
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh who looked dapper in a shining black suit, said: "Women are not just at par but probably better than most men. In my field I don't have to look far for inspiration € there's Zohra Sehgal, Lata Mangeshkar € people I really look up to."
Actress Nimrat Kaur said she doesn't think she's an achiever, but she's more of a survivor. She added, "It's wonderful that women from all walks of life are awarded for their achievements in what they believe in and what they have stood for. You don't need to award women for what they do but still it's a fabulous step."
Having concluded 14 successful years in India, the GR8! Women Awards put the spotlight on the contributions of women from diverse industries in an attempt to encourage women from India and the region.
The award ceremony took place at Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa and was organised by the Indian Television Academy.
The milestone 20th edition of DSF is organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), and is being held under the theme "20th Anniversary € A Journey of Celebrations". The 32-day extravaganza will run until February 1, 2015 offering more than 150 citywide events, mega attractions and numerous shopping opportunities and winning options for residents and visitors.
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