‘Asia’s Nobel’ celebrates social heroes

Two Indians, Bharat Vatwani and Sonam Wangchuk, on Friday received the Ramon Magsaysay award, popularly known as Asia’s Nobel Prize. Cambodian activist Youk Chhang, Filipino Howard Dee, Vietnam’s Vo Thi Hoang Yen and East Timor’s Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz were also honoured for their work at a ceremony in Manila. All of them have worked for the poor or those who have suffered violence. “All are unafraid to take on large causes. All have refused to give up despite meagre resources, daunting adversity and strong opposition,” Carmencita Abella, president of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation said, Efe reported. Mr. Vatwani has dedicated his life to rescuing mentally ill people from the streets and providing them with shelter and treatment through his Shraddha Rehabilitaion Foundation. Since 1988, Mr. Vatwani has helped around 7,000 mental patients, reuniting many of them with their families. Mr. Wangchuk has been recognised for “his uniquely systematic, collaborative and community-driven reform of learning systems in remote northern India, thus improving the life opportunities of Ladakhi youth, and his constructive engagement of all sectors in local society to harness science and culture creatively for economic progress,” his citation said.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/asias-nobel-celebrates-social-heroes/article24836887.ece