New Delhi, September 14th, 2011

The National Human Rights Commission today gave awards to six writers and one translator for their works in Hindi for the years 2008 and 2009. Presenting the awards, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC congratulated the winners and said that by writing in Hindi on human rights, they are doing good service to the cause of people living in remote areas, who cannot read in English about human rights laws and international covenants.

Justice Balakrishnan said that the National Human Rights Commission is committed to encourage publication of more books in Hindi on human rights given the fact that most of the books on human rights are available in English only. He said that people living in remote areas are not much aware of their rights and become the victims of human rights violations. Awareness about their rights in the language they can understand, would definitely improve the situation.

Justice Balakrishnan said that NHRC would explore the possibility of getting translated all the books awarded by it for translation in all the major Indian languages for wider dissemination of information on human rights.

On the occasion, the awardees shared their experiences as writers and said that the recognition given by NHRC to their works will further motivate them to write on human rights.

Earlier, Dr. Rajiv Sharma, Secretary General, NHRC said that the Commission is working on further expanding the scope of its awards scheme for writing on human rights in Hindi. He expressed the hope that with such efforts, the common people will get to know more about their rights.

Following is the list of awardees for original writing in Hindi:

" Dr. Subhash Sharma's book 'Bharat Mein Manavadhikar' First prize of Rs. 50,000/-.

Dr. Sharma is a well known writer in Hindi and a serving IAS officer. His book is an indepth analysis of different aspects of Human Rights, including human rights laws and international covenants;
" Mr. Manohar Batham's 'Astitva Ka Sankat Aur Manavadhikar' and Mrs. Swati Tiwari's 'Akele Hote Log', Second prize of Rs. 40,000/- each.

In his book 'Astitva Ka Sankat Aur Manavadhikar', Mr. Batham, being a senior officer in BSF, has drawn out from his experiences and elaborated on the incidents of human rights violations in the backdrop of the history of human rights.

Mrs. Swati Tiwari', an officer in Madhya Pradesh Information Department, through her book 'Akele Hote Log' raises concerns on the problems of old persons and emphasizes the necessity to have strong legislation to protect their rights.

" Mr. Arjun Singh Rawat's 'Batmaar'; Third prize for Rs. 30,000/.
Mr. Rawat is a Private Secretary in the Ministry of Defence . His book "Batmaar" is a novel, written in a satirical style and thereby weaving a gripping story which takes the readers to the plight of the people who are victims of corruption in social and political life, including the corruption in Govt. offices, Panchayats, Anganwadi centres etc.

" Dr. (Mrs.) Mamta Chandrashekhar's 'Manavadhikar Aur Mahilayen' Mr. Kanhaiya Tripathy's 'Adivasi Samaj Aur Manavadhikar' Consolation prizes of Rs. 10,000/- each.
Mrs. Mamta , an Assistant Professor in a Govt. Degree college, Indore, in her book 'Manavadhikar Aur Mahilayen', she emphasizes the importance of women in our social system and how they are being ignored for their due place in society. The book emphatically talks about the significance of women empowerment.

Mr. Kanhaiya Tripathy is a Research Associate in Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashatriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Vardha. His book, 'Adivasi Samaj Aur Manavadhikar', as the title suggests, raises the issue of inclusion of tribals into the mainstream of our society and how their human rights can be protected.

For translations Dr. Gaurishankar Raina's 'Rang Rajtarangini' has been chosen for the second prize of Rs. 25,000/-. No other translations qualified.

Mr Raina is a Chief Producer in Doordarshan. His work is a translation of a book written originally in Kashmiri by Mr. Motilal Kemmu and elucidating instances of torture and human rights.

Selection Panel

Dr. Rajiv Sharma, Secretary General, NHRC headed the selection committee comprising Prof. Girishwar Mishra, Department of Psychiatry, Delhi University, Prof. Gopeshwar Singh, Hindi Department, Delhi University, Mr. J.P. Meena, Joint Secretary (P&A), NHRC and Mr. Rameshbabu Aniyeri, Director, as the representative of the Secretary, Official Language Department.

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