HR Activist Dhungana Honored with Prakash Human Rights Award

Kaski/ July 31

Nawadatta Dhungana, 80, of Pokhara has been honored with the Prakash Human Rights Award 2011 for his long time contribution to the sectors of human rights and social service.   Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) conferred the 18th Prakash Human Rights Award to Dhungana amidst a function organized in Pokhara on the occasion of 20th Memorial Day of founding General Secretary of INSEC Late Prakash Kaphle on July 31. Dhungana has received Rs. 50,000, Letter of Felicitation and INSEC emblem. Chief Guest of the programme, Honorable Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission, Kedar Nath Upadhyay handed over the Award to Dhungana. Speaking at the programme, NHRC Chairperson Upadhyay thanked INSEC for inviting him as Chief Guest of the event. He lauded INSEC's decision to confer the Award with a deserving person. Stating that the nation is not able to develop an affirmative perspective towards human rights activists, Upadhyay said that HR activists have remarkable contribution to politics and social work. Addressing the function, INSEC chairperson Subodh Raj Pyakurel said it is the pride of the organization to confer the Award to Dhungana for his remarkable recognition to human rights sector. INSEC Chairperson Pyakurel appreciated the active and influential role played by Dhungana for protection and promotion of human rights even in his elderly age. All have to play responsible roles from their respective sectors as justice has not delivered to the citizens yet, he said. Protection and promotion of human rights is impossible until justice is delivered to those who have been discriminated, he said, stressing the need for ending violation against women, freeing the bonded labors and ending the caste discrimination and untouchability prevailing in the society. Lalbabu Yadav, INSEC General Secretary and a member of the Award Selection Committee, said that it's matter of pride to award Dhungana, who has been involved in protecting human rights and democracy for long. A total of 17 personalities have been conferred with the Award which was first awarded by INSEC in 1994. Dhungana, recipient of the Award said that the Award has made him more responsible. Saying that it is difficult to measure the achievements in human rights sector, he said that he will continue to work in human right sector.      Deputy administrator of Western Regional Administration Office, Damodar Regmi, senior HR activist Teknath Baral, senior journalist Madhav Sharma, coordinator of Pokhara-based Civil Society Network for Peace, Surendra Thapa Magar, Nanda Kala Nepali, Chairperson of Woman Human Rights Defenders, Krishna Mohan Shrestha, Chairperson of Pokhara Chambers of Commerce and Industries, UML secretary Krishna Thapa, INSEC Tanahun coordinator Sabnam Sharma among others expressed their views on the occasion. The programme chaired by INSEC Chairperson Subodh Raj Pyakurel was facilitated by INSEC western regional coordinator Shiva Khakurel.

San Bahadur Thapa

Source:www.inseconnline.org & www.insec.org.np