Punyashlok Ahilya Devi Holkar Award for the social work sector was awarded to Sr. Colette Gonsalves for the year 2016-17 by the State Women and Child Development Department of the State of Maharashtra.
Sr. Colette belonged to Laura Vicuna Niwas Welfare Centre, Savedi, Ahmednagar. Recognizing her contribution in the social work sector and the impact created among the poor women of the village, the department has awarded this prestigious award. She is a member of the Salesian Sisters of the Bombay Province and has been working in this sector for the past thirty years. She is currently working among the poor in Cambodia.
Every year a women social worker from an organization is selected from every district for this award. The State Revenue Minister, Hon. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil presented the award in the presence of prominent government and police officials on Monday, May 1, 2023 at a function organised on the district police grounds. Sr. Rita Lobo, the manager of the organization, and Sr. Jacinta Pinto, the Principal of the school accepted the award. The Sisters have dedicated this award to all the women who collaborate with us in the social work field.
We are grateful for the acknowledgement from the state government of our dedicated service for the poor and marginalized women and the young people of this district.
