Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice held on Sunday

The Harmony Foundation hosted the seventh annual Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice 2014 on Sunday. A panel discussion on human trafficking was also held to highlight the struggles. The award ceremony is the only one endorsed by the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa.

The Foundation tied up with the International Justice Mission to highlight these causes.

The Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice 2014 was conferred on Anuradha Koirala, a citizen of Nepal who has rescued more than 12,000 victims of sex trafficking, working at the grassroots level. "Society needs to be sensitised to the pain and suffering of the victims. To rescue them is my service to the world. I am grateful for this recognition," said Koirala.

The foundation honoured Dr Prakash Amte with a national award for his work among tribals in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district. Amte has worked against all odds in ensuring proper healthcare and education facilities be made available to the marginalised in Gadchiroli. "My father, Baba Amte inspired me to serve others. He taught me that life will be meaningful only when it is spent in the service of the downtrodden," said Amte.

Also honoured were activist Medha Patkar, Dr Sangthankima for his work in rehabilitating alcoholics and the destitute, IAS officer Ujjwal Uke for initiating reforms for the protection of child sex abuse victims, retired IAS officer Lakshmidhar Mishra for his fight against bonded labour, Dr Sunitha Krishnan for rehabilitating victims of sexual abuse, and several others.

Calling for greater sensitivity to fight human trafficking, film-maker Mahesh Bhatt, a panelist for the discussion on this issue, said that society needs to realise that this evil still exists. "People are in denial. Greater sensitising of the people, and even of the media to highlight this issue is needed," said Bhatt.

Chief Guest for the evening, Odisha governor SC Jamir said that the work done by Mother Teresa should inspire Indians. "Mother Teresa left the country of her birth to serve in a land she called her own. Her life is an example of how society can be changed by just one person. Our work is set out before us, to serve our country and to serve those who are oppressed," said governor Jamir.

Also in attendance were MP Poonam Mahajan and BJP Mumbai president and MLA Ashish Shelar.

LIST OF WINNERS

1. Anuradha Koirala (Crusader Against The Sexual Exploitation Of The Girl Child)

2. Dr Prakash Amte (Selfless Work For The Welfare Of Tribals)

3. Dr Sunitha Krishnan (Restoring The Dignity Of Sexual Abuse Victims)

4. Ujjwal Uke (Initiating Reforms For Protection Of Child Sex Abuse Victims)

5. Dr Sangthankima (Rehabilitation Of Alcoholics And Destitute)

6. Dr Lakshmidhar Mishra (Championing Policy Change To Fight Child And Bonded Labour)

7. Udaan (TV SERIES) (Highlighting The Plight Of Children Trapped In Bonded Labour)

8. Medha Patkar (Championing Social And Economic Justice)

9. Dr Vandana Shiva (Environmental Conservation And Empowerment Of Farmers)

10. Rifat Abdullah (Exemplary Bravery Displayed In The Face Of Disaster)