PATNA: Four women achievers from state — Sahitya Akademi Award recipient Shefalika Verma, one of the first combat pilots of country Bhawana Kanth, first woman commercial pilot from Mithilanchal region Himani Dutt and singer Priya Mallick — were felicitated at a function organized by Karn Kayastha Mahasabha (KKM), a socio-cultural outfit, here on Sunday.Shefalika, who won Sahitya Akademi Award in 2012 for her autobiographical book in Maithili — Kist-Kist Jeevan — said it was a matter of pride that women from state have started making it big. “Bhawana, Himani and Priya are like my granddaughters. I feel proud to be felicitated along with these girls who have carved a niche for themselves in the society and country,” Shefalika said.“The country cannot progress unless women are empowered. I have nine sisters and all of us are alumnae of Patna Women’s College. Our parents always encouraged us to excel in professional world and we are what we are today is because of them,” Shefalika, popularly known as ‘Mahadevi of Maithili’, said. She also thanked her husband for “propelling” her to write more. The littérateur, who began as a Hindi writer and later switched over to Maithili, stressed on the need to inculcate book reading habit among kids.Bhawana, one of country’s first combat pilots and inducted into the fighter squadron of the Indian Air Force in June 2016, could not attend the function due to official assignments. Her father Tej Narayan Kanth (electrical engineer in IOC) and mother Radha Kanth (homemaker) represented Bhawana at the function.Himani, who joined as a private commercial airline pilot in April this year after graduating from Academy of Aviation in Maharashtra, said India had the highest number of women commercial pilots in the world. “As far as Bihar is concerned, there is no dearth of talent here. The need of the hour is providing best platform to girls,” she said.Patna’s Priya Mallick, who became a household name in the country by finishing as first runner-up in reality show ‘Om Shanti Om’, said she wished to promote the state’s folk music culture in the country. “I want to become a versatile singer. Singing Bhojpuri and Maithili songs is my passion,” Mallick said.Hundreds of people from Mithilanchal, who live in different parts of the country and abroad, attended the second convention of KKM. Several of them participated in a brainstorming session to discuss the origin of Karn Kayasthas and various rituals associated with the community.

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