NHRC's Mahatma Gandhi biennial Hindi awards

Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission presented awards to the winners of NHRC's Mahatma Gandhi Biennial Hindi Writing Award Scheme for the year 2010-11 at a function in New Delhi on the 20th April, 2015.
The first prize of Rs. 75,000/- went to Shri Dakshin Bajrange Chhara of Ahmedabad, Gujarat for his play "Boodhan Bolta Hai" on the plight of nomadic tribes of the country. The second prize of Rs. 50,000/- went to Shri Nishant Singh of New Delhi for his book "Baal Shoshan aur Apradh" which highlights various aspects relating to atrocities on children. The third prize of Rs. 40,000/- went to Smt. Sarvmitra Surjan of New Delhi for her book "Media, Samaj aur Manavadhikar", a compilation of her essays on various incidents raising concerns on human rights, particularly of vulnerable people.
Dr. Radheshyam Bhartiya and Dr. Sangeeta Saxena of Jaipur, Rajasthan received Rs. 5,000/- each as consolation prize for their book "Qtla Kachchi Koplon Ka" which raises concern on female foeticide. Shri Manish Mohan Gore of NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh also received consolation prize of Rs. 5,000/- for his book "Manav Adhikar aur Bharat Ka Samagra Vikas" which takes a look into the development of country from human rights perspective. Apart from the cash awards, all the awardees were also given a certificate, shawl and memento.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Justice Balakrishnan said that the Commission started this award scheme to build awareness about human rights through original writings in Hindi which is a part of its statutory duty. The NHRC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Book Trust to translate the awarded books into five Indian languages, including, Tamil, Telugu, Malyalam to further spread the awareness.
Shri S.C. Sinha, Member, NHRC said that enough literature was not available on human rights in Indian languages. The Commission is hopeful that through this scheme, the writers will be encouraged to write on human rights to influence society.
Prof. Arun Kamal, noted Poet and Philosopher, lauded the Commission for encouraging writings in mother tongue and said that the scope of such awards should be expanded by rewarding outstanding literary contributions on human rights issues in all the Indian languages.
NHRC Member, Justice Shri Cyriac Joseph, Joint Secretaries, Shri J.S. Kochher and Dr. Ranjit Singh were also present on the occasion.