CRUSADERS OF HOPE HONOURED.

Fighting for the rights of women suffering from HIV, rallying hundreds of mothers to put an end to a civil war, respecting the environment as being a loan from future generations - these and more were stories of how humanity comes alive through simple actions. Inspiring millions to do their best, nine women were recognised for their humanitarian work at the second Sri Sathya Sai Award for Human Excellence, held at Sri Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli, near Bengaluru, on 23rd November, 2017 (Thursday). The award highlighted the contribution of women across seven categories. Hosted by the Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Trust, the ceremony also marked the 92nd birth anniversary of Sathya Sai Baba. Fostering values of love, compassion, generosity and respect for humanity, promoting peace and non-violence, respect for religion and culture; advancement of the marginalised sections of the society and building human values in the younger generation were the deciding factors. Speaking on behalf of the awards' organising committee, Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman and CEO of Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited said, "These exemplary women are powerful beacons of hope for the world and for all women".
Sports is the latest category added to the awards this year. The awardees were identified by a 14 member jury of personalities from various fields. They were Prof. J.S. Rajput, Gururaj Karajagi, Dr. J. Shashidhara Prasad, Ajay Mathur, Ravi Singh, Dr. M.S. Valiathan, Padma Subramanyam, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Gulshaa Begum, Samuel K. Samuel, Swami Nikhileswarananda, Sajeeda Begum, and Prof. K. Mathangi Ramakrishnan and Sunil Gavaskar.

  1. Sakena Yacoobi (Education): Leaving her life in the US, Sakena Yacoobi returned to war-torn Afghanistan in the 1990s to uplift 7.5 million refugees with education. She started secret classes for girls despite the Taliban threat. The Afghan Institute of Learning, which she started, has trained over 13 million people.
  2. Lorna Rutto (Environment): We do not inherit nature, we borrow it from our children, is Lorna Rutto's motto. She recycled plastic and created jewellery with EcoPost Limited. Founded in 2008 in Nairobi, the venture has helped recycle 3 million kilos of plastic and protected over 850 acres of forests.
  3. Dr. M. Sarada Menon (Health): The first woman psychiatrist of India is going strong at 94. At a time when mental illness is still associated with spirits, she has founded the Scizophrenia Research Foundation, reaching out to thousands in slums and villages. The feeling that her work is not complete keeps her going.
  4. Prof. Prema Pandurang (Music and Arts): For Prof. Pandurang spiritual enlightenment helps connect with humanity through music. From establishing a Veda Pathashala and imparting Vedic knowledge to young ones to setting up the Kshetropasna Trust in Tamil Nadu, she says, "My religion is love and kindness".
  5. Leymah Roberta Gbowee (Unity of Religions): "Don't wait for a Gandhi, a King or a Mandela" is Gbowee's message. Facing the effects of war first-hand, the Liberian began a mass movement with other women and held peaceful protests and pleaded for the safety of her country's children. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.
  6. Sr Lucy Vacachalil Kurien (Unity of Religions): Over the past 15 years, Sister Lucy's institution in Pune, Maher ('My Mother's Home'), has helped 4,000 women and children put their lives on track. Her home is open to all, irrespective  of caste or religion. Maher houses 860-odd children and over 320 destitute women and tries to rehabilitate them. 
  7. Kousalya Periasamy (Woman & Child Welfare): One of the first to declare her HIV+ status, Kousalya Periasamy started Positive Women's Network in Tamil Nadu to lobby for medication and to make patients aware of their rights. "I have a lot more to do. We faced a lot of discrimination and denial which has changed over the years", she says.
  8. Anuradha Koirala (Women and Child Welfare): Anuradha Koirala aka Diiju (elder sister) sold all her belongings and used her income as a teacher to found Maiti, an outfit that helps victims of trafficking. Maiti runs three prevention homes, two hospices and a school in Nepal. It has enabled 45,000 girls and women to find a better life. 
  9. Meenakshi Raghavan (Sports): Clad in a sari, sword in hand, 74-year-old Meenakshi Raghavan is a force to reckon with in the Kalaripayattu arena. For decades now, she has kept the kalari tradition going, training hundreds of young girls at her academy in Kozhikode. Meenakshi says the martial art has been a route to self-discovery.
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