Jyothi Raj (2010-11)
Jyothi Raj's commitment and involvement with the poor and the destitute started at the tender age of 14. A post graduate degree in Sociology and a diploma in human resources management have furthered her desire to serve the people of India. Her pioneering work as the co-founder-director of the Rural Education for Development Society (REDS) has been recognized globally. Jyothi is also the co-founder of the Booshakthi Kendra Charitable Trust. She has addressed several conferences and conducted innumerable workshops both in India and abroad on rural development, empowerment of women and the social, financial and spiritual upliftment of Dalits. Jyothi puts her passion for social service into writing as well - she is the co-author of the famous books "Cosmosity" on Dalit spirituality, Dalitocracy and DYCHE, The Dalit Psyche and has penned several articles on various issues that afflict society. Jyothi has been awarded the Deshasnehi Award by the India Development Foundation, the Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Award, the CROWDS organization and the Voice of Dalit International in England.
M.C. Raj (2010-11)
Affectionately known as Appaji, M.C. Raj is the co-founder of the Rural Education for Development Society (REDS) and the Booshakthi Kendra, the International Dalit Cultural Center. Having devoted his life to the pursuit of providing Dalits with a voice, he has initiated numerous campaigns for the social upliftment of the downtrodden masses. Some recent initiatives include the World parliament of Indigenous Peoples, the Campaign for Electoral Reform and the Dalit CDM Project. His extensive writings on Dalits and the issues that concern them are widely read - Dalitology, A book of Dalit Science, Cosmosity, Dalithink - An Adventure into Dalit Philosophy; Dalitocracy, Theory and Practice of Dalit Politics; Dyche -The Dalit Psyche are only a few of his internationally recognized works. M.C. Raj received the Ambedkar International Award, 2009 for his book Dyche and the Ambedkar Award in 2001 from the Karnataka Government. He has addressed thousands of people at various conferences and gatherings globally and is credited with providing Dalit social, political and cultural issues with an international platform.
Anouradha Bakshi (2009-10)
Anouradha Goburdhun Bakshi shunned all the luxuries of the world to hear the voice of her conscious which was asking her to answer the WHY within. A Baccalaureate from the University of Grenoble, she is working as a selfless spirit to unlock the floodgates to provide dignity to the underprivileged ones. She founded the Sri Ram Goburdhun Charitable Trust in 1998 and began its activities in the year 2000 in the slums of Giri Nagar, South Delhi to uplift the urban slum communities. Her Project WHY, which started with spoken English classes to just 40 slum kids, today, reaches out more than 800 children and has transformed the lives of many. Three early education programmes, one day care for 22 children and young adults with disabilities, primary and secondary school and other vocation programmes for women and differently- abled children brings in a true core of her fight to strengthen the poverty wounded segment in the social order. The alumni of her project, who are now able to sustain a better living, are the testimony of her conviction, contribution and care to the society.T. K. Mathew (2008-09)
After working in the department of horticulture and agriculture, Mr. Mathew worked for 14 years as the Director of Caritas India. He joined the "Sarva Seva Farms" movements and continuously worked there for 9 years. Mr. Mathew has been a very active member of the Karol Bagh St. Thomas Marthoma Church, and held the position of Secretary during 1978-79. He was instrumental in initiating Deepalaya in Delhi, along with 6 other Marthomites. Deepalaya has become the largest operating Social organization (NGO) in Delhi, working out of 76 slums in Delhi, 214 villages in Haryana and 16 villages in Uttaranchal. Mr. Mathew is also a board member of International Forum for Child Welfare, a network of NGOs from over 50 countries.