Anuradha Sawhney (2010-11)
Anuradha Sawhney's love for animals and nature began in school, when she would go hungry as she fed her lunch to stray animals and birds. Throughout a flourishing corporate career, she remained involved in animal welfare issues. Anuradha joined PETA as assistant campaign coordinator in 2000, and was quickly promoted to Chief Functionary, a post that she held for 9 years. Under her leadership, PETA India is now a special Invitee to the Legal Sub Committee of the Animal Welfare Board of India, reported extensively on the malpractices in the leather industry (which led to an international boycott of Indian leather by over 40 companies), milk industry and chicken industry, managed the rescue of over 100 animals including lions and tigers, from circuses and zoos across the country, placing them in rescue centres, and successfully banned the entry of elephants into 16 states of India. Recipient of several awards, she is regarded as the leading authority by national and international media where animal rights and welfare issues for India are concerned.
ENVIRONMENT (2010-11)
Bibhu Prasad Mohanty (2010-11)
Bibhu Prasad Mohanty hails from Bhubaneswar, Orissa and is a seasoned and versatile Environmental Activist, Researcher, Teacher and Livelihood Promoter. Backed by strong academic credentials, he has had an eventful career of nearly 2 decades in the areas of Food & livelihood Security, Rural & Tribal Development, Organic Farming, Forest Resource Development, Sustainable Agriculture, Ecology and Environment, Conservation of Biodiversity, Food security and Developmental Communication. He has actively been campaigning in Chilika Bachao Movement, Joint Forest Management, Citizen's action on Environmental Pollution, Gandhian Thoughts for Village prosperity, Literacy for all and Conservation of Biodiversity. Apart from environment, Mr. Mohanty has been associated with several other issues. He has worked with BISWA, the biggest microfinance organization of Orissa as Director- Operation and is at present working as Programme Director of THREAD, famous for ecological security and gender equity at national and international level. He has been serving as a Livelihood Consultant for Mission Shakti, Govt. of Orissa initiative for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality. He has also served as an international consultant in evaluation of Y-PEER projects on HIV/AIDS prevention in Serbia, Macedonia and Egypt. He has been instrumental in building successful market linkages for farmers and forest material producers, processors and marketers. He has been Chairman & Chief Consultant to Development Projects. Also, has been involved in setting consultancy house and providing consultancy and training services to NGOs and financial institutes. Spiritual Philosophy and Nationalism of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother influenced all his works and achievements.
Pradeep Kumar Nath (2010-11)
Pradeep Kumar Nath’s objective in life is to provide justifiable and meaningful rights due to all living species leading to a balanced ecology and sustainable environment. And to that end, he founded Visakha Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1996. Amongst other significant achievements, the organization has been able to stop the brutal killings of street dogs and adopt an Animal Birth Control Program, save and protect cattle from illegal slaughter houses, protect and conserve endangered sea turtles and migratory birds, started mobile ambulance services for animal rescue and set up vermicompost and biogas plants. It has also included animal welfare topics in municipal schools, conducted training programs to individuals, organizations and farmers to promote biodiversity. For his work, Pradeep has received several wards including the David Shepherd Wildlife Conservation Award, USA, Ministry of Environment and Forests “Resource Person” award and the Gold Medal from The Winsome Constance Kindness Trust, Australia.
Nigel Otter(2008-09)
Nigel Otter believes that every act counts and that every single individual can make a difference, if they really want. He is an outstanding example of that himself, working selflessly for the cause of animals and nature, never leaving an unjustified issue not attended. He has tremendous and numerous achievements in stopping illegal poaching of elephants, illegal tapping of electricity, stopping stone quarrying, exposing hunting of livestock and stopping poisoning of tigers. Nigel has dedicated his life for the welfare of animals and nature in the Nilgiris. His work and achievements in the fields of animal health, welfare and nature conservation have directly benefited thousands of people in the rural villages in the Nilgiris. He doesn’t just believe in a better world but he actually makes the world better everyday through his actions.