Smt. Bandari Jayamma received M A Thomas National Human Rights Award 2014
By vigilindia 01:42 award , awardees , feature
The M A Thomas National Human Rights Award 2014, was given away to Smt. Bandari Jayamma, at the function held on 20 September 2014 at the Osmania University Center for International Programme, Hyderabad.
Dr. J.A. Oliver welcomed the Hon’ble Gusts and the delegates for the Award Function. Adv. Pratap Reddy, in his presidential remarks briefly explained about the genesis of the M A Thomas National Human Rights Award, the founder Dr. M.A. Thomas and his contribution to the society through Vigil India Movement and Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, Hon. Director, VIM explained about the selection process, jury’s recommendation and also read the citation that honours Bandari Jayamma.
Dr. A. Chakrapani, Hon’ble Chariman, Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Council, then presented the prestigious M A Thomas National Human Rights Award 2014. Dr. Chakrapani extended his greetings to Jayamma for her effortless service in protecting human trafficking and promoting the human dignity among the victims of trafficking and also called upon the people’s movement to join with Jayamma to uphold the dignity of the vulnerable community.
In the presence of Dr. A. Chakrapani, the VIM felicitated Adv. K. Pratap Reddy, National President, VIM for his contribution to the Vigil India Movement since its inception as one of the founding trustees and as a President since 1994. Justice K. Ramaswamy, former Justice, Supreme Court of India delivered a felicitation address.
Bandari Jayamma expressed and extended her gratitude to Vigil India Movement for the prestigious Award in recognition of her service to the community in her acceptance speech. Dr. Cherian Thomas, Secretary and Trustee of VIM thanked the honourable guests and delegates at the function.
M. A THOMAS NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD - 2014
Awarded to
Ms. BANDARI JAYAMMA
Human trafficking is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of women, men and children become victims of trafficking in persons within a country or beyond the borders of a country. Almost every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination of victims. An alarming global phenomenon of trafficking in persons by means of coercion and deception for commercial sex exploitation plagues in many parts of India, especially where poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and the suppression of women’s rights are rampant.
It is in this context that the commitment of Ms. Bandari Jayamma, a barefoot soldier, who fights against this evil of human trafficking, is valued. A survivor of sex trafficking herself, Jayamma defends, supports and empowers women trafficked and coerced into commercial sex trade. In a society where sex trade flourishes at every nook and corner and though legally banned, Jayamma fights for the rights and dignity of those involved in the trade for survival. Based in Hyderabad, the city with over 25,000 commercial sex workers of whom 60 percent were forced into this practice, Jayamma initiated the founding of Chaitanya Mahila Mandali, an NGO that empowers sex workers and sex trafficking survivors to lead a dignified life. Jayamma started the organization in 2001 after surviving trafficking and coercion into sexual slavery as a young woman in her own life. Chaitanya Mahila Mandali is the first ever Indian non-profit organization that has been founded by a survivor who has lived the pain and trauma of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Jayamma’s leadership through Chaitainya Mahila Mandali in rescuing victims of human trafficking and those who are forced into sex trade, providing counseling, healthcare, skills training, and legal aid, income-generating activities for commercial sex workers is highly commendable. Chaitainya Mahila Mandali has so far prevented at least 25,000 girls and women from entering into sex work. While spearheading the campaign against human trafficking and sex trade, Jayamma has partnered with regional and national organizations to address this growing menace. Her active participation as a Member of the Core committee planning for National AIDS Control Programme Phase IV (2012-17) has significantly influenced and contributed to making community participation mandatory in the programme. Her tireless effort of lobbying has also helped many victims of sex trafficking to take part in high level policy decisions.
Jayamma’s commitment to be actively involved in rescuing and supporting girl children of sex workers who are at high risk of sexual exploitation, and her concern for the victims motivated her to open the Chaitanya Happy Home. Chaitanya is a halfway home that provides shelter, medical care and education to children of sex workers, who would have been abused and forced into sex trade, had they been left with their mothers. Jayamma provides them love, care, fear-free environment and education to live in dignity. As Akshaya, a sex worker turned a Peer Educator says, “I always looked at myself with self-loathing and helplessness because that is how the society looked at me. But since I met Jayamma, I have learned to look at myself as a human being who has equal rights like others and who can stand up for herself.”
In selecting Jayamma Bandari for the Rev. Dr. M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award 2014, the members of the Jury and the Board of Trustees of Vigil India Movement recognize Jayamma Bandari’s tireless efforts and dedication towards defending the rights and dignity of the most defenseless and vulnerable women and children in society: the trafficked, the abused, the exploited and the abandoned. Her work is a shining example of reclaiming the human dignity, the birthright of every human being, especially the exploited women and children.
Justice P.P. Bopanna Advocate K. Pratap Reddy Managing Trustee, VIM President, VIM
2001: Dr. H. Sudharshan
By vigilindia 03:46 awardees
2001: Dr. H. Sudharshan
Soliga Tribals were living for centuries peacefully but in primitive conditions in the Biligiri Rangana Betta (hills) of Karnataka. Their even tenor of life, albeit in poverty and ignorance, was rudely shattered since India’s Independence when their forests were cleared for industry and modern agriculture and urban vandals started expropriating their lands for miscellaneous uses. After 1950, the Soligas’ living conditions slid down rapidly from poverty to exploitation to abysmal misery.
Dr. Sudharshan came to B.R.Hills in 1979 as a medico trying to heal the Soligas of multifarious ailments inflicted on them by physical exploitation, malnutrition, primitive living conditions and promiscuous and unhygienic life styles. The Soligas with their bad experience with civilized human beings were afraid of him and ran away. But he stayed and installed confidence in them that he was there as a good Samaritan. He won their hearts and trust in no time when he saved a Soliga from a poisonous snake-bite.
From a healer to a Messiah was a tortuous process. Dr.Sudharshan filled with idealism inspired by the vision of Albert Schweitzer and emboldened by his four year stint at the Ramakrishna Mission, decided that he would spend the rest of his life with the Soligas. He set up schools for them to educate both children and adults, trained health workers to do minimum medical care for the people, built up a small hospital and launched the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra.
What the Soligas got from Dr. Sudharshan’s guidance and endeavour was meaningful education that included knowledge of how to live with nature, understand the use of trees, plants and animals without destroying them. The basics of empowerment achieved, Dr. Sudharshan moved on to fighting for justice when urban land grabbers used powerful vested interests to get him arrested. Thousands of Soliga men, women and children surrounded the police station as their `messiah’ went on a fast and the police was forced to release Dr.Sudharshan within two days.
Dr. Sudharshan was rightly awarded the `Right to Livelihood Award, also known as the `Alternate Noble Prize’ for his inspiring message to humanity that “the so called civilized society has a lot to learn from the tribals”.
2000: Justice V.M. Tarkunde
By vigilindia 03:44 awardees
2000: Justice V.M. Tarkunde
Vittal Mahadev Tarkunde was born on July 1909 at Saswad in Pune district, Maharashtra, in an orthodox Brahmin family. His father Mahadev Rajaram Tarkunde, a lawyer, led a Movement against the vice of untouchability and in consequence, the family was ostracized by the orthodox Brahmins.
Starting with a brilliant academic career (a first class first in matriculation), Tarkunde obtained the degree of Bar-At-Law and started his legal practice at Pune but devoted 15 days in a month for working among the poor peasants in rural areas. Later on, Tarkunde came under the influence of the legendary figure, M.N.Roy and associated himself with the Indian Radical Humanist Association and the International Humanist Organization. He is one of the founder trustees of Indian Renaissance Movement.
Mr.Tarakunde was elevated to the Bench of Bombay High Court in 1957 and after an illustrious and distinguished career of 12 years as a Judge, retired in 1969. The termination of his source as a Judge was the beginning of a fresh span of life devoted relentlessly to win for mankind, the right to be free as true human beings.
The emergency imposed on the country by Indira Gandhi on the night of June 25 and 26,1975 had fully galvanized the capacities of Justice.Tarakunde in organizing and educating the people to fight for their freedom. He bravely took up the challenge and was arrested along with Lok Nayak Jaya Prakash Narayan under MISA. He is the founder of the two premier organizations, viz., People’s Union for Civil Liberties and Citizens for Democracy, along with Lok Nayak Jaya Prakash Narayan. He is the recipient of several national and international awards including “Padma Bhushana” from the President of India in 1998.
1999: Ms. Medha Padkar
By vigilindia 03:42 awardees
1999: Ms. Medha Padkar
Ms.Medha Padkar came into contact with the tribal people facing displacement under the Narmada Valley Project when visited their remote families as a researcher. Some well-meaning groups were already working among them. She noticed that the history of every major river valley project contained one dark chapter that few cared to read it told a tale of broken promises of relief and rehabilitation. She realized that the tribal population under threat of eviction in the Narmada Project area would not get justice under the proposed resettlement scheme. She questioned the very rationale of mega projects that destroyed the physical and social environment of the people in their vicinity.
Ms.Medha Padkar put her heart and soul into a campaign to help the poor. Illiterate tribal people stand up and fight - not for doles but for the right to live. It was a campaign to save the people, the land and the river. It changed the very temples of the environmental movement in the country from a mere wild life and forest conservation movement, to a matured tough human rights, social justice and resource management effort. Her vigorous championship of the cause of the project victims prompted international funding agencies to rethink on social costs of development.
Human rights campaign calls for strong conviction, extreme deviation and deep sense of commitment. Ms.Medha Padkar has displayed these qualities in measure in successive campaign organized under the banner of the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
In recognition of her sterling contribution to the cause of protection and promotion of human rights, the Board of Vigil India Movement conferred on Ms. Medha Patkar the M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award 1999.
1998: Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer
By vigilindia 03:40 awardees
1998: Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer
In every age and land, there arises voices that give expression to the concern and yearnings of the mute masses. They echo the agonies of the underprivileged condemned to a life of deprivation for the faults of others. They reflect the hopes of the suffering people for better days to come. In this age and in this land, the voice that rings out loudest and clearest on behalf of the helpless millions is that of Mr. Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer.
Vaidhyanathapuram Rama Ayyar Krishna Iyer had the rare opportunity to serve his compatriots from all three limbs of the State. The Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. The forum changed, the functions changed but his goal remained the same at all times. Service to fellow beings, especially the poorest of the poor prompted him to help them so that they may enjoy the same rights as the rest and the human rights ideals may thus be realized fully and universally.
He began the crusade as a young lawyer in a small town in Kerala at a time when human rights advocacy was not a popular cause and was indeed fraught with danger.
Later, as a Member of the Assembly he first got into the hallowed precincts of the legislature. When a communist led government was voted to power in Kerala in an epoch making election, he was called upon to shoulder the responsibilities of Law Minister and Home Minister. He used the opportunity to let the wind of change blow through the musty corridors of power. He gave primacy to prison reforms during the brief period he held the ministerial office.
After a short spell as a Judge of the Kerala High Court, Mr. Krishna Iyer was elevated to the Supreme Court Bench. As the Apex Court acted to rebuild the democratic structure that had been battered by the emergency, he played a leading art in fortifying the protective mechanisms to enable it to withstand future assaults on civil and political rights. He also strove conscientiously to secure social, economic and cultural rights for all.
Having retired from the service of the State, he continued in the service of the people’s spectrum of NGO’s in the country and abroad. He became a tireless campaigner for protection and promotion of human rights. Traveling far and wide he makes common cause with every victim of human rights violation be he a child worker, a bonded labourer, a dispossessed Adivasi or a shelterless old man.
As Supreme Court Judge, he played a significant role in evolving the concept of public interest litigation, which is unique and effective instrument for the protection of Human
Rights.
In recognisation of his meritorious services in the cause of human rights, Vigil India Movement accorded the M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award 1998 to Mr.V.R.Krishna Iyer.
1996: Ms. Malladi Subbamma
By vigilindia 03:38 awardees
1996: Ms. Malladi Subbamma
Ms. Malladi Subbamma devoted herself heart and soul in the struggle to secure a place of dignity and honour for women. Realising the need to develop strong organizations to carry on the Movement in a sustained manner, she set up the Mahila Hrudaya Samstha which now serves as a sphere head of women’s liberation.
Any assault on women by anyone instantly draws Ms.Malladi Subbamma’s ire. Be it the belabouring of a woman in nearby Nalgonda or an act of Sati in distant Rajasthan or the shunting off nuns in a convent, she jumps in to the fray to battle the forces that stand in the way of women’s freedom and dignity.
She played an active role in the campaign against arrack launched by women of Andhra Pradesh that led to the prohibition of arrack in the State. She has been promoting inter- caste marriages; she herself often officiates at these secular wedding ceremonies.
Ms. Subbamma has also been associated with a wide spectrum of human rights activities under the auspices of the Citizen for Democracy and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties.
A Reformer cast in the renaissance mould, Ms. Subbamma has effectively articulated the concept of women’s rights as human rights.
In recognisation of her significant contribution to the protection and promotion of human rights in general and of women’s rights in particular, the Vigil India Movement presented the M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award 1996 to Ms.Malladi Subbamma.
1997: Mr. Ravi Nair
By vigilindia 03:38 awardees
1997: Mr. Ravi Nair
Born in 1954 in the Indian Ocean island of Madgascar, Mr.Ravi Nair began his life as a journalist and political activist in New Delhi. In 1994, he became a founding member of the association for the protection of Democratic Rights. Later on, he worked under the banner of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties.
In 1986, he moved to a wider arena, working with Amnesty International in London first and as regional liaison officer for South Pacific region and then as one of its four global campaign coordinators.
Returning to India three years later, he set up the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre, New Delhi, a pioneer in its field. Associated with various international rights groups, he is the South Asia representative of Bangkok based Asia Pacific Human Rights NGO’s follow up committee.
In recognition of the services rendered to the cause of protection and promotion of human rights, Vigil India Movement gave away the M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award 1997 to Mr.Ravi Nair.
1995: Dr. C.T. Kurion and Mr. Balraj Puri
By vigilindia 03:36 awardees
1995: Dr. C.T. Kurion and Mr. Balraj Puri
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Dr. Kurien has consistently defetishized Indian economy on behalf of the working people and the poor mass. His concerns, insights and perspectives are available in a large number of books and papers. He has been a clear sighted and powerful critic of concentration of ownership and control of the physical resources. He has exposed the paradox of islands of affluence in the ocean of Indian poverty. His critiques of liberalization and globalization in academic and popular for a constitute a significant contribution to human rights literature in the broadest sense. Above all, he has been a champion of progressive causes and exemplar of high social and ethical values.
Mr.Balraj Puri has championed the cause of civil rights and communal harmony for half a century. When he protested against the dismissal of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah’s Government in 1953, he was almost a lone dissenting voice in the Jammu region. But he persisted until the Sheikh was reinstated in office 22 years later. When the emergency cost its dark shadow on the country, he joined the battle against it. A close associate of Jayaprakash Narayan, he has been working under the banner of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), of which he is the convenor for Jammu and Kashmir.
As Sikh militancy rose in Punjab and the security forces mounted anti-terrorist campaign he toured the State, pleading for reconciliation. When militancy gained in the Kashmir valley he visited the affected areas with the arrangements for personal safety and brought to light instances of human rights violations by both the security personnel and the militants.
On countless occasions, he rushed to the scenes of communal conflict to spread the message of peace and goodwill way back in 1947. He organized a volunteer corps to help the victims of partition. In 1967 when fanatics in Jammu threatened to avenge a rumoured riot in Kashmir, he staked his own life to prevent the outbreak of violence. During the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, he went to the rescue of entrapped members of the minority community. A chillalrous champion of the rights of women, children, Dalits and other weaker sections, he has been active on the environment front, too.
Vigil India Movement, with great pleasure in recognition of their contributions presents the M.A.Thomas national human rights award for 1995 jointly to Mr.C.T.Kurian and Mr.Balraj Puri, human rights activists of Jammu.
1994: People's Union for Civil Liberties
By vigilindia 03:31 awardees
1994: People’s Union for Civil Liberties
After the emergency rule ended, People’s Union for Civil Liberties extended its concern beyond protection of the citizen’s legal and Constitutional rights and expanded its activities to cover the whole of human rights. It took up the cause of bonded labour, women and other oppressed sections.
It stood up against torture and killings in trouble-torn States such as Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, whose larger sections of the people tend to condone, in the belief that they are unavoidable in combating terrorism.
The glorious battles waged by PUCL under a competent leadership are a source of inspiration and encouragement to all. In recognisation of its meritorious services, Vigil India Movement is pleased to present it with the “M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award for 1994”.
