Magsaysay award winners to be felicitated

By KK Moidu

Dr Prakash Amte and Dr Mandakini Amte, winners of the prestigious Magsaysay Award 2008, will be felicitated at Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai on Jan. I. Consul General of India, Venu Rajamony will be the chief guest at the function. Renowned musician Padmashri Padmaja Phenany-Joglekar will give a concert. Bollywood actor and social activist, Atul Kularni and Ajit Bhure, a well known film producer and journalist will also be present on the occasion.
The programme will start at 5.30pm with a prayer. The documentary Divine Messenger will be screened and there will be a talk show as well.

Dr. Prakash Amte

Dr. Mandakini Amte

The Magsaysay Award was constituted in the name of Ramon Magsaysay, the third president of the Republic of the Philippines after the World War II. The award is presented by the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation to individuals who address issues of human development in Asia with courage, creativity, integrity and selflessness and while doing so they make contributions in transforming their societies for the better.
Dr Prakash and Dr Mandakini were honoured this year with the award in recognition of their community leadership. The award is considered Asia's Nobel Prize.
The eminent doctors carry forward the great Baba Amte's legacy of compassion. The couple has been serving millions of tribal people, who are living in remote highlands and forests. For example, the Madia Gonds occupy 150 square kilometres of dense forest in eastern Maharashtra, bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh states. They have been instrumental in setting up health-care and educational institutions, and transforming the tribal's life completely.
Their selfless service over the last three decades has now gained International recognition.