Some path-breaking achievements by women were applauded at Aparajita –– The Art of Excellence 2013, an award ceremony that was organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) at ITC Sonar on Saturday. These are women who have not only made a difference to society, but are also an inspiration for many.

“Aparajita celebrates women of substance and salutes their contribution to various fields,” said Ruchika Gupta, chairperson of FICCI-FLO Calcutta. A jury, comprising Bickram Ghosh, Jaya Seal Ghosh, Harsh Neotia, Agnimitra Paul, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and others, decided on the winners while taking into account a public poll that was held in March. The chief guest at the programme was Indira Jaising, additional solicitor general, Supreme Court.

The winners were singer Alka Yagnik, actresses Moushumi Chatterjee and Parno Mittra, model and grooming expert Nayanika Chatterjee, cricketer Jhulan Goswami, justice Nadira Patheria, journalist Sagarika Ghose, textile expert Ruby Pal Chowdhury, entrepreneurs Promita Sen Gupta, Deepika Jindal and Kalyani Chawla, authors Suchitra Bhattacharya, Raksha Bharadia and arts editor Bina Sarkar Ellias. Mahasweta Devi gave the Lifetime Achievement Award to Amala Shankar.