Activist Mansimar Kaur honoured for flood relief, women’s empowerment and heritage preservation
Babuhshai Bureau
Chandigarh, August 17, 2026: Punjab Cabinet Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr. Baljit Kaur honoured Mansimar Kaur for her contribution to flood relief efforts, empowerment of rural women artisans and preservation of Punjab’s cultural heritage.
Dr. Baljit Kaur appreciated Mansimar’s leadership, civic responsibility and humanitarian commitment, describing her work as an inspiring example for the youth of Punjab.
During the devastating floods in Punjab, Mansimar coordinated volunteers and community support and helped mobilise humanitarian assistance worth more than ₹40 lakh in collaboration with organisations including Global Sikhs, Sewa Punjab and Global Shapers Society. Her efforts contributed to relief reaching an estimated one lakh people across flood-affected areas of the state.
The minister also appreciated Mansimar’s work through Project Qala, a youth-led social enterprise founded by her in December 2022 to empower rural women artisans and preserve Punjab’s traditional Phulkari embroidery.
Through Project Qala, Mansimar has worked with more than 50 rural women artisans, generated over ₹2 lakh in direct artisan sales and organised a Phulkari exhibition at Strawberry Fields High School, which attracted nearly 2,000 visitors.
Project Qala was also recognised as the Second Best Team among more than 150 teams under the Equality Clubs Incubator Programme and received a grant of ₹1 lakh.
Dr. Baljit Kaur commended Mansimar for her dedication to humanitarian service, women’s empowerment and the preservation of Punjab’s cultural heritage. She said her work demonstrated how young people can contribute meaningfully to society and become agents of positive change.
The minister extended her best wishes to Mansimar Kaur for her future endeavours and expressed confidence that her leadership and spirit of service would continue to inspire more young people to work for the betterment of society.