Jai Chandiram, one of the
first women in television in India, who rose to the position of
Deputy Director General of Doordarshan, has been conferred the
Lifetime Achievement Award from IAWRT. Jai, who is fighting cancer,
received the award in her brother's home in Delhi on April 26.
From being a part time actress off-Broadway to the first Asian President of IAWRT International, Jai Chandiram has been a teacher, mentor, friend and an inspiration to a whole generation of professional media women.
The IAWRT Lifetime
Achievement Award was instituted this year to honour individuals who
have made exceptional contributions towards the growth and
development of IAWRT. Jai Chandiram is the second recipient of the
award.
Gerd Inger Polden, the
Vice President of the International Board, who joined the award
ceremony from Norway via skype, said: "We honour you for your
great contribution to IAWRT both as the founder of the India Chapter
and its longtime Managing Trustee and for your period as President of
IAWRT International from the year 2001-2005. In your period as
President, you were able to give IAWRT a new direction as a truly
global network".
As the first Asian
President of the IAWRT for two terms, Jai delved passionately into
women’s rights on many levels culminating in the highly acclaimed
annual IAWRT Asian Women’s Film Festival that has given women
filmmakers an arena in which to showcase gender issues.
From being a part time actress off-Broadway to the first Asian President of IAWRT International, Jai Chandiram has been a teacher, mentor, friend and an inspiration to a whole generation of professional media women.
The
award ceremony was attended by representatives of the Board which
included Anupama Srinivasan, Nupur Basu and Samina Mishra as well as
members of the India chapter - Aradhana Kapur, Iffat Fatima, Kavita
Joshi, Renuka Sharma, Shazia Ilmi. Speaking on their behalf, Reena Mohan, Managing
Trustee of IAWRT India, said: ''Fifty two years ago, a young woman
strode through the portals of Doordarshan. Her trail blazing career
and iconic personality touched the lives of many and inspired
hundreds of media students, colleagues and friends. We are here to
pay tribute to that extraordinary woman, Jai Chandiram. On behalf of
IAWRT India, I would like to thank Jai for cajoling, pushing and
guiding many of us women working in film and television to discover
our true potential.''
The
award was presented by Ananya Chakraborti, Treasurer of the
International Board. She had expressed her feelings in a written
message to Jai. ''You
are very special to me. I am extremely fortunate to have had you as
mentor, and am grateful for the supportive role you have played in my
life.''
Rachel Nakitare, IAWRT
President, said, “You are a pillar and icon to many of us. You
inspire me with your grasp of issues and exceptional networking
skills. Sometimes I wonder how you manage to have an ear for everyone
despite the crowded schedules. You are the true definition of
leadership and an embodiment of genuine love. We honor you with the
IAWRT award of dedication and service because you deserve it.”
