Tag: woman

Categories
-Top News Films UAE News

‘Women in Cinema from the UAE

The energy on stage was infectious with the women discussing issues ranging from gender parity at work places to supportive co-workers, parents, spouses and bosses….reports Asian Lite News

Under the aegis of the Indian Consulate, Dubai, media personality Manju Ramanan hosted and organised an event titled ‘Women in Cinema from the UAE.’

The panelists included pan Indian actor/ dancer Kalpana Iyer, line producer Mini Sarma, Bollywood screen writer Althea Kaushal, Film maker Haseeba Freiha, Director of the Dubai Meta Film Festival Leila Masinei and Founder and MD Cinema Akil, Butheina Hamed Kazim.  The event was sponsored and supported by KKDD Films, Khaleej Times, Playfield Entertainment, Innara, Al Ain Water, Cochin Harbour, Aroushi Beauty Salon and Spa and Bobby Sahotra.

Dubai based entrepreneur who specialises in sustainable products, Guddi Bajaj helmed the operations of the event.  The energy on stage was infectious with the women discussing issues ranging from gender parity at work places to supportive co-workers, parents, spouses and bosses.  Shri Bijender Singh, Consul (Consular, Labour & MADAD) inaugurated the event with Dubai based businessman Rajan Lall and supported the initiative. “

It is great to see so many inspiring stories of women who are at the helm of film making,” he said.                                       

Social activist and film producer Smita Thackeray graced the event and addressed the audience. “I am very happy that women cinema in the UAE have come together to talk on issues common to all women film makers across the world,“ she said.

“This is a story that I would have otherwise written. It played out as an event and I thank the Indian Consulate Dubai, sponsors and friends for helping me put this event together, “ says Manju Ramanan.“

“This event was meant to be. We worked tirelessly to put it out,” says Guddi Bajaj.

Each of the women on the panel – an achiever in her field of work, took part in the discussion enthusiastically. The crowd that had mixed nationalities supported the women and shot questions at them that the ladies answered spontaneously. The event ran for an hour and a half and ended right in time for Iftar.

ALSO READ: UAE President pays tribute on Zayed Humanitarian Day

ALSO READ: UAE youth unite to make COP28 the most inclusive

Categories
-Top News India News Woman

Kamboj: It’s best time to be a woman in India

Kamboj highlighted India’s citizen-centric digital initiatives, which focus on providing immediate assistance to women in distress…reports Asian Lite News

India’s UN representative, Ruchira Kamboj, stated that it is the best time to be a woman in India as the government is fully empowering women at all levels.

The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, in collaboration with UN Women India, held a high-level panel discussion on leveraging public-private commitment for women’s greater access to technology and education.

“In India, there has been enormous, enormous growth in the past eight-nine years particularly and today, I think it is perhaps the best time to be a woman in India. I mean that very sincerely,” Kamboj said.

Kamboj stressed that in India “we recognise the transformational capacity of technology to provide impetus to women’s empowerment and sustainable development.”

“This is a fantastic time to be a woman and the government is fully empowering you at all levels. The Prime Minister has emphasised upon a model of women-led growth and development and it is very much a reality,” Kamboj said.

She highlighted India’s citizen-centric digital initiatives, which focus on providing immediate assistance to women in distress, preventing violence against women, and promoting their full and equal participation in every sphere of society.

UN Women’s Anita Bhatia emphasized the important role that digitalisation plays in closing the gender digital divide and pointed out that globally, men are 20% more likely to be online than women.

Kamboj spoke on two major initiatives — the Digital India programme and the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity — that have shown the capacity of technology to provide impetus to women’s empowerment and sustainable development.

She said that during the pandemic, these initiatives had facilitated direct benefit transfer to nearly 200 million women.

ALSO READ: Garcetti confirmed as India envoy

Categories
Lite Blogs Woman

Women should prioritise their health

W for Women, Workout, and Wellbeing!

Women these days have also consciously started paying more attention to what they eat. While the workouts help burn away the calories…writes Spoorthi

Gone are the days when women wanted to be frail and petite. There have been various stereotypes associated with women’s fitness – women shouldn’t lift heavy weights, women shouldn’t do very high intensity workouts, women shouldn’t focus on building muscle – so on and so forth. However, all of these stereotypes are being broken many times in the recent past and women are embracing workouts now more than ever.

Women’s health and fitness are essential for several reasons. Firstly, maintaining good health helps women to live longer and happier lives. Women who are healthy and fit can enjoy a higher quality of life, have more energy, and are less likely to suffer from chronic diseases.

One main factor contributing to this is awareness. There have been many resources and researches stating the importance of regular workouts, especially for women. Women’s health is a crucial area of focus that cannot be ignored. Regular exercise helps improve heart health, strengthen bones & muscles and maintain a healthy lifestyle by reducing the risk of chronic health diseases like heart disease, diabetes etc. It is essential for women to prioritise their health and well-being by making healthy lifestyle choices and seeking regular medical checkups.

Women have different and unique health concerns as compared to men. This includes reproductive health, breast cancer, heart diseases, osteoporosis, depression and anxiety. It’s important that all of this is addressed and maintaining a good workout regimen coupled with good nutrition is key to ward away these diseases and health conditions.

In women, hormones play a crucial role in regulating menstrual cycles, fertility, and menopause. But hormonal imbalances can lead to a range of health issues, such as weight gain, mood swings, and menstrual irregularities. Exercise and good nutrition helps keep this in check.

Regular exercise has shown to have many health benefits, including helping to regulate hormonal balance in women. It can also help reduce the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that can contribute to hormonal imbalances.

A balanced diet with the right amount of fruits, vegetables, protein, carbohydrates and fats can help maintain healthy hormone levels.

Over the years, women have started including different workout forms. May it be resistance training, HIIT or sports. You can now see many more women lifting heavy weights in the gym and no more sticking to lesser weights and trying to just do many reps. While it was once believed that lifting weights would make a woman look ‘bulky’ and/or ‘manly’, those are just some of the myths. Although HIIT can be a quite intense form of exercise, many women are now looking forward to it as a preferred workout choice.

Women these days have also consciously started paying more attention to what they eat. While the workouts help burn away the calories, it is important to keep in mind the choices you make with your food and the detrimental effects that bad nutritional choices can have on the body in the years to come. Here are some simple points to keep in mind for overall wellbeing:

Engage in resistance training

Resistance training or weight training can help women improve their physical appearance, increase their muscle mass, and improve their overall strength. In addition, it can boost their metabolism, which can help them burn fat and maintain a healthy weight.

Eat your proteins

Protein is not just for those who want to build muscle. It is a necessary macronutrient which is important for the body to recover well and keep your muscles and joints strong. Foods high in protein include lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, and nuts. It’s also completely okay to include whey protein supplements if you are not able to meet your protein requirements through a regular diet.

Get Regular Health Screenings

Regular health screenings are crucial for women’s health. Women should get regular checkups and screenings for conditions such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis. Women should also get regular cholesterol and blood pressure checks, and other recommended screenings based on age and personal risk factors.

A routine to follow when you’re in no mood to workout.(photo:IANSLIFE)

Pay Attention to Menstrual Health

Women should pay attention to their menstrual health and understand what is normal for them. Women should keep track of their menstrual cycle and any changes in bleeding patterns, pain, or other symptoms.

Consume foods rich in Iron

Iron is essential for women’s health, as women lose iron during menstruation. Iron-rich foods include red meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, spinach, and fortified cereals.

It’s okay to workout during your periods

Contrary to popular belief, women don’t necessarily have to skip exercise due to their menstrual cycle, although it is important to be aware of how to approach training around your time of the month. Higher intensity exercises can be performed during your follicular phase and you can reduce the intensity as the peak of the luteal phase arrives. Exercise has also shown to relieve certain PMS symptoms like cramps. This could however be subjective to each one.

ALSO READ-UK hiring more Indian health professionals: Report

Categories
-Top News UAE News Woman

UAE leaders highlight pivotal role of women

Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, highlighted the pivotal role that Emirati women play in building the nation…reports Asian Lite News

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan shared a video recognising women’s contributions and roles in building their societies, as the world yesterday marked the International Women’s Day.

Marking International Women’s Day celebrated worldwide on March 8, President Sheikh Mohamed and Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shared a video showing how women have excelled in all aspects of life.

“On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we recognise and celebrate the crucial role that women play in building dynamic societies. We wish continued success to all women in achieving their hopes and ambitions while contributing to a shared progress and sustainable future,” Shaikh Mohamed tweeted.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also took to his twitter account to express his appreciation for women on their International Day.

“A man’s appreciation for women expresses his virility, taste and decency. Society’s appreciation for women expresses the civilization of society and the height of its culture. The world’s appreciation for women expresses the development, prosperity and stability of this world. Women’s appreciation is the measure of human development,” he wrote on twitter.

Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, highlighted the pivotal role that Emirati women play in embodying the vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in building the nation.

She also praised President and VP for their commitment to empowering women in all fields and strengthening their role in the UAE’s development.

Al Kaabi emphasised the important role played by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), in promoting the advancement and leadership of Emirati women.

She highlighted the UAE’s investment in women’s contribution to future-focused industries such as artificial intelligence, innovation, and technology, underscoring that women’s energies and capabilities are limitless.

Looking ahead, Al Kaabi stated that as the UAE prepares to host the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in November 2023, women’s perspectives will be included in all discussions.

She noted that women make up two-thirds of the COP28 leadership team, and women represent more than 50 percent of the management team, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to gender equality and championing a sustainable approach.

Al Kaabi stressed that Emirati women are an inspiring model of empowerment in the region and worldwide. Over the next 50 years, she predicted that women will continue to play a critical role in solidifying the UAE’s position as a nation where security, social support, and economic opportunity flourish.

ALSO READ: UAE, Microsoft chalk out AI strategies

Categories
Business Woman

White-collar jobs for women rise 35%

Wadhwani Foundation salutes the indomitable spirit of women entrepreneurs in India.

The highest demand share of women in the workforce is currently held by the ITES/BPO (36 per cent) industry…reports Asian Lite News

India’s white-collar sector has seen a 35 per cent spike in job openings for women, compared to last year, according to a report released on Monday.

It is primarily because women, who dropped out of work during the pandemic to become full-time caregivers, have now re-joined the workforce, revealed the report by talent management platform foundit (formerly known as Monster jobs).

In addition, the focused efforts by India Inc such as introducing benefits such as menstrual leaves and childcare, introducing programmes to fight bias in the workplace, allowing flexibility at work, and diversity-focused hiring, among others are helping increase female participation in the workforce.

The highest demand share of women in the workforce is currently held by the ITES/BPO (36 per cent) industry, followed by IT/computers-software (35 per cent), and banking/accounting/financial services (22 per cent).

Further, Delhi-NCR (21 per cent) is leading with the highest percentage of jobs available for women, followed by Mumbai (15 per cent), Bengaluru (10 per cent), Chennai (9 per cent) and Pune (7 per cent).

It is also interesting to note that 6 per cent of the total women workforce on the platform are those who have taken a career break and returned to work. Moreover, freelance roles account for 4 per cent of the total jobs for women, indicating a rise in gig-based opportunities in the white-collar economy.

“There have been many economic success stories of women in the last 50 years, but one of the biggest has been the stride they have made in the labour market. Women leaders worldwide have made headlines for how well they managed to stay afloat in times of great crisis. But there is still work to be done and miles to walk,” said Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit (formerly Monster, APAC & ME).

The report also showed that the job roles with the most significant percentage of women are customer service/ call centre/BPO at 25 per cent. IT roles hold the second largest share at 23 per cent, followed by HR roles at 18 per cent and sales/ business development at 12 per cent.

Across experience levels, women in leadership hold 8 per cent of the total share, indicating a great scope for more growth and inclusivity at workplaces.

“There is a radical need for increasing women participation in the workforce across all sectors if we were to achieve our dream of becoming a 5 trillion-dollar nation,” Garisa said.

“Companies need to innovate their work modes to ensure flexibility, actively work to foster an inclusive workplace, and ensure that diversity extends beyond their hiring pamphlet,” he added.

ALSO READ: Job cuts to hit education sector

Categories
-Top News UAE News Woman

Women entrepreneurs discuss role in investment community

Women entrepreneurs start businesses at a rate 1.5x higher than men, tackling the world’s biggest problems and spurring innovations that will shape our future…reports Asian Lite News

Prominent women entrepreneurs from around the world gathered to discuss initiatives that foster businesses based on good practices, at a session held during Investopia 2023 annual conference, which took place last week in Abu Dhabi.

Organised in partnership with The Helm, this session was moderated by Rachel Pether, Senior Advisor for Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute and hosted panelists Lindsey Taylor Wood Founder & General Partner at The Helm; Huda Al Lawati, Founder and CEO at Aliph Capital; and Nadine Benchaffai, Founder Angel Investor.

Women entrepreneurs start businesses at a rate 1.5x higher than men, tackling the world’s biggest problems and spurring innovations that will shape our future. Yet, female-led investment firms receive just 2 percent of all venture capital, with a disproportionate amount being invested in consumer-focused funds. The speakers presented important facts about the realities that face female founders and solutions to address the gender bias.

Lindsey Taylor Wood shined a spotlight on the huge discrepancy between investments received by men and women. Using data from Harvard Business School, she highlighted differences in questions asked during interviews that influence this division. She encouraged re-framing of narratives around good business practices. She also said that “decade’s worth of data from multiple institutions and resources clearly showcases that women-led businesses perform better, so why are we so wilfully engaging and ignoring that data”. She added that women-founded companies perform 63 percent better and 35 percent returns higher.

Huda Al Lawati explained that cheques are given in environments where women are usually not going to be in, offering an example from a Harvard study showcased that when two equally qualified individuals take the same interview and behave the same way with the same confidence level, qualified women are considered aggressive, and men would be defined as confident. She argued that challenge here is not about needing special training, experience nor skills but rather it is biases in the investment community. “The biggest thing the investment community can do is not be biased in their assessment. The investment community should be open-minded and listen to people, no matter what group they ‘belong to’.”

Explaining what would really help rebalance investments Nadine Benchaffai advised women need to manage funds to ensure change happens. Female investors can help erase bias; there is a need for more women on the investors’ side. Lindsey Taylor Wood believes the key lies in investing in female founders, and in female-led funds.

Lindsey Taylor Wood said women with wealth are the single greatest lever for change to happen. Al Lawati, however, cautioned that it does not matter who inherits the health; what matters is who manages the wealth. Women need to manage the funds to ensure things change. By investing in good businesses, regardless of gender, and reframing the narrative to focus on good business, we can create a more diverse and inclusive business landscape.

ALSO READ: Sisi hails privileged relations with UAE

Categories
Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Kashmiri woman’s passionate venture attracts customers

Meet Kashmir's self-taught artist whose Insta account on artworks is a hit

Munir, who hails from the Sanat Nagar area in Srinagar, is presently pursuing her PhD in law from the University of Kashmir. In the past, art was just a hobby for her. When she started her Instagram page three years back, she was busy completing her masters…writes Ummar Jamal

In the contemporary world, you will find most of the youth making excuses for remaining unemployed. But not Khazin Munir, who despite being a doctoral student in law, earns her bread through calligraphy and other art and craft forms.

Munir, a self-taught artist from Srinagar, is the proud owner of the venture ‘KAAMEKAAR’, which is basically an Instagram page, where she showcases her artistic skills in calligraphy, wall-hangings, umbrellas, customised kangris etc., attracting many online customers to her artworks.

She said KAAMEKAAR is more of passion than a simple social media page to her. When she started the page, she was not really hopeful that it will work, but her artistic skills have been attracting scores of people.

“I have been very lucky to have got an audience who always admire me, support me and love me. I started it as a page for calligraphy, but gradually it became a multi-art page where you can customise calligraphies, wall-hangings, chocolate bouquets, nail and thread art, customised paper bags, gift wrapping, needle work art, small goody baskets, customised kangris etc.,” she said.

“Basically, if you want to gift something different to someone or want something special for yourself, we have got your back,” Munir added.

Munir, who hails from the Sanat Nagar area in Srinagar, is presently pursuing her PhD in law from the University of Kashmir. In the past, art was just a hobby for her. When she started her Instagram page three years back, she was busy completing her masters.

She said the page was started on the basis of hit and trial method. Her siblings pressurised her to do so, as they were keen to see the response of the general public. Within a few days of launching the page, Munir got her first order and since then has been no looking back.

With time, she realised that her hobby was making her stress-free and forget the many challenges in life.

“Art for many is just a stroke on paper or just a hanging on the wall, but for me art is strength, medium of expression, happiness, perfection and a way of life,” she said.

Munir completed her schooling from the Presentation Convent School till 10th and then from the Mallinson School till 12th.

She did not have a passion for art in her school days, but with time she began to develop a special liking for the creative form.

“I was not that artistic in school, but with time my personality made its way to the outer world. When I was doing my BA LLB, I used to participated in many competitions, both state and national-level. I won many prizes, which included some cash price also. I have represented the Kashmir University in many inter-varsity competitions at the national level,” she said.

Munir belongs to a well-educated family. Her father retired as the chief architect of Kashmir. Her sister is also an architect.

“I never thought of doing a small business or starting something like this, because I didn’t have a business background. But destiny has different things stored for me, and I am very happy for that,” she said.

Munir draws inspiration from her parents.

“I have seen my father work day and night, creating unique designs for his clients. He is a pioneer in his profession and I just wanted to adapt the mechanism which he has created for himself. I draw much of the motivation from him,” she said.

Munir, who has worked on several projects so far, said every project is interesting and special to her.

But her friend’s wedding decor, which had umbrellas, nikah potlis, backdrops, mehndi trays etc., nail and thread art at her father’s office and mandala art on a 12 feet wall are few of her artistic works that are very close to her heart.

She also said that digitalisation has made things easy and accessible.

“On a click of a button, one can now order any stuff. This gives a content creator and an artist a platform to showcase his/her work, get appreciation and last but not the least, earn a livelihood because job opportunities are very few now,” she said.

“After three years of continuous hard work, people have started recognising my Insta page… I get so many overwhelming messages from people now. Some praise my work while some compliment my patience. I feel elated to receive such messages, which motivate me to work harder in order to brush up my skills,” Munir concludes.

ALSO READ-Gauri Khan’s Twin Themed Collection For Arnaya

Categories
-Top News Woman World News

Sitharaman, Harris feature on Forbes’ 100 most powerful women

This is the fourth year in a row that Sitharaman made it to the list. Last year, she was in the 37th spot, 41st in 2020 and 34th in 2019…reports Asian Lite News

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US Vice President Kamala Harris are among Forbes’ 19th annual list of ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ of 2022.

While Harris is ranked third, Sitharaman is at number 36 on the list that was released on Tuesday highlighting “innovators and instigators who are leading on the world stage to redefine traditional power structures”.

This is the fourth year in a row that Sitharaman made it to the list. Last year, she was in the 37th spot, 41st in 2020 and 34th in 2019.

In 2021, Harris became the first woman, the first Black person, and the first South Asian-American to become the American Vice President.

A California native, Harris was born in Oakland to immigrant parents — her mother was from India and father from Jamaica.

Apart from Harris, Bela Bajaria, head of Global TV at Netflix, is another Indian-American on the list who is ranked at number 71.

Bajaria is responsible for hits including ‘Bridgerton’, ‘The Queen’s Gambit’, ‘Lupin’ and ‘Cobra Kai’.

Before joining Netflix in 2016, Bajaria was president of Universal Television, where she made history as the first woman of color to oversee a studio.

London-born Bajaria was named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2022.

Sitharaman was appointed as India’s first female Finance Minister in May 2019. Before her career in politics, she held roles at the UK-based Agricultural Engineers Association and the BBC World Service.

Besides Sitharaman, other Indians on the list include, HCL Corporation CEO Roshni Nadar Malhotra — the youngest Indian woman on the list; Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw; Madhabi Puri Buch, the first female chair of the Securities and Exchange Board of India; Soma Mondal, the first woman to chair the state-run Steel Authority of India; and Nykaa founder Falguni Nayar.

Every year, the American business magazine releases a list of 100 powerful women of the world.

This year’s list was topped by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen “for her leadership during the Ukraine war, as well as her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic”.

ALSO READ: Meet the Indian women diplomats marking their mark globally

Categories
UAE News

‘Emirati woman remains nation’s pulsing heart, source of pride’

She noted that a woman, as the true partner to a man, has become a role model for the nation’s development and progress…reports Asian Lite News

The National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) affirmed that the Emirati woman remains the pulsing heart and a source of pride of the nation and commended the remarkable achievements made by the Emirati women.

It thanked to the unlimited support by the country’s wise leadership and special care paid by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), and “Mother of the Nation”.

NHRI said, “Allocating 28th August of each year as a national day for Emirati Women is a recognition of Emirati women’s giving and distinction, and the culmination of their successful career and effective contributions in all walks of life, to be a source of inspiration for women, women’s and family institutions in the world.”

The UAE celebrated “Emirati Women’s Day” on Sunday, which represents a national occasion to express pride in the outstanding achievements of the Emirati woman and her pivotal role as a key partner in the development of society and in shaping the future. The theme of this year’s Emirati Women’s Day is “Inspiring Reality … Sustainable Future”.

In statements on the occasion, members of the NHRI’s Board of Trustees affirmed the vital role women could play in upholding human rights. Since its establishment, the UAE worked to grant women their full human rights, empowering them to take up leadership positions. They described the Emirati woman’s achievement as a “source of pride for her and her nation”.

Fatima Al Kaabi, NHRI Deputy Chairperson and Board Member, expressed thanks and appreciation of female staff at the NHRI to Sheikha Fatima for her far-sighted vision and consistent support that enabled Emirati women to deliver remarkable achievements and contributions to the nation’s development journey.

She remarked that the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was the key advocate and proponent of women and drew the early roadmap for their empowerment. The late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan carried the torch by issuing two crucial decisions regarding the establishment of the NHRI and the formation of its Board of Trustees, with women making up 50 percent of the Board. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stayed the course of his predecessors by paying special attention and close care to women’s development and empowerment.

She noted that a woman, as the true partner to a man, has become a role model for the nation’s development and progress.

Maryam Al Ahmadi, Chairperson of the International Relations and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee and NHRI Board Member, affirmed the NHRI’s commitment to promoting the bright image of Emirati women and their spectacular achievements and successes through the advancement of international efforts aimed at upholding and safeguarding human rights.

She stressed the need to develop women’s skills and capacities to create a sustainable future aligned with the Principles of the 50.

ALSO READ-UAE, Greece Cement Ties

Categories
India News

Woman, collecting firewood, finds 4.39 carat diamond  

On Wednesday, when she was busy in collecting firewood, she noticed a sparkling stone lying just few metres away from her…reports Asian Lite News

Madhya Pradesh’s Panna, famous for its diamond mines, has made many poor families’ fortune as they come across precious stones in the most unexpected places.

In the latest such instance, Lady Luck smiled on a poor woman, who had gone to collect firewood in a forest area in Panna, as she returned with a 4.39 carat diamond.

The woman, identified as Gendabai and a resident of Purusottampur village of the district, used to go to the forest to collect firewood, which she sold to earn her sustenance.

On Wednesday, when she was busy in collecting firewood, she noticed a sparkling stone lying just few metres away from her.

She took it and went to government-run ‘Diamond Office’ and shown it to the officials present there. There, she was informed that “stone” she had found and brought from the forest is actually a precious diamond.

“The raw diamond, which the woman found, has been received from her and would be auctioned and the money would be given to her after the deduction of government royalty and taxes. The diamond is estimated to be worth Rs 20-25 lakh,” said Anupam Singh, a diamond inspector.

In February this year, a brick kiln operator had found a 26.11 carat diamond worth Rs 1.2 crore. In December last year, the fortune of four labourers changed after they came across as many as seven precious diamonds when they were doing digging work.

Located in Madhya Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region, Panna is also known for its famous tiger reserve.

ALSO READ-Hungary declares state of energy emergency