On January 28, 2013, Navsarjan was honored with a Times of India Social Impact Award for our pioneering work on behalf of the legal rights of the Dalits and other marginalized communities in Gujarat. These highly competitive awards are bestowed upon change-makers within NGOs, corporations and government who have quietly worked to transform the lives of millions of marginalized Indians. Navsarjan’s Executive Director, Manjula Pradeep, accepted the award. President Pranab Mukherjee was the chief guest at the awards function.

Each award recipient selected a beneficiary of their NGO to present the award to them. In the case of Navsarjan, Baluben Makwana, a village woman from the Dalit community who has fought alongside Ms. Pradeep for land rights for the Dalit women in her village, was the award presenter. It was Baluben’s first trip by air – a rare event for someone from a poor Dalit community. This is the second year that the awards have been presented. Navsarjan was chosen from over 1500 entries by a panel of distinguished individuals. The awards covered five categories: livelihoods, advocacy and empowerment, education, health and the environment. Navsarjan was recognized in the advocacy and empowerment category. We are very proud to receive this award, which honors not just Navsarjan but all of those who fight for the rights of the Dalits and other marginalized communities in India.

News link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/TOI-Social-Impact-awardees-a-symbol-of-hope-Pranab/videoshow/18258885.cms