Deepa Malik, Geeta Tandon felicitated by Reebok
New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) It was a night dedicated to women from different walks of life at Reebok’s first #FITTOFIGHT Awards held here on Friday night where first Indian woman to win a medal in Paralympic Games Deepa Malik and Bollywood stuntwoman Geeta Tandon along with many others were felicitated.
Bollywood actress and brand ambassador of the fitness brand Kangana Ranaut inaugurated the ceremony and felt proud to be part of such an initiative.
When asked asked how the taglines ‘Fit to Fight’ and ‘Be More Human’ inspire her, Kangana said: “When I heard about the tag line, I felt it very uncanny. This is something that speaks of my life because in my life, I wanted to be my best version. I wanted to be someone who I can be proud of. I don’t do things to impress others. My journey is about me and how I do I feel about myself.
“I feel its good to see how Reebok as a brand is inspiring young women and sharing these extraordinary examples and inspiring millions is great act of encouragement and kindness. I am honoured to be part of this.”
The first edition of #FitToFitness Awards celebrated the struggles, dreams and triumphs of unsung “women heroes” who have overcome physical, mental and social barriers to achieve great things in life.
The brand honoured these heroes who have been victim of either physical abuse, social trauma or disability but changed their destiny through courage and conviction.
Deepa and Geeta were one such example.
The former fought her disability to become the first Indian woman to win a medal in Parlympic games. Another awardee in the physical category was Geeta, a woman who changed her destiny from being a marital rape victim to becoming the most coveted stunt woman in Bollywood.
Deepa in her acceptance speech encouraged woman to celebrate life and believe in themselves.
She said: “Winning this award is so pleasurable because 17 and half years ago when I got paralysis below the chest with a daughter who already had a head injury and her left upper body was paralysed. I was travelling with her for treatment and that time my husband was at Kargil war. This was the time when I was diagnosed with tumour and doctors predicted I will never walk again.
“I was predicted to die in a room and I was struggling very hard with new body fighting all the social taboos around this disability, fighting and creating my own identity.
“This whole journey of stepping out of the comfort zone and coming out in this world was different. It’s only because of Self-belief. Please remember that the people will look at you, the way you look at yourself. And a fit mind will always be in a fit body. Life is a celebration so please enjoy this festival. Be alive and celebrate.”
Some of the other awardees at the event were Bhakti Sharma, the conqueror of all five oceans of the world, Smriti Singhal who started the Education Tree organisation, Geetanjali Babbar who launched a non-profit organisation Kat Katha amongst others.
Singer Anusha Manchanda also performed live during the awards.
