Ruby Karna of Khadak Municipality-8 and Anita Devkota of Rajbiraj Municipality-7 will be felicitated with the Vaidya-Prakash Human Rights Award this year for their contribution in the field of human rights and social justice. Karna has unceasingly contributed to the field of political change and social justice. Likewise, Devkota has devoted the last two decades of her life to the protection of human rights and for the attainment of justice as the leader of the Single Women’s Group.
Doman Sah, Member of the Vaidya-Prakash Human Rights Award Fund and Chairperson of the Saptari District Court Bar Unit informed that a meeting of the members of the Fund held on July 18, 2021, at Rajbiraj, decided to felicitate Karna for the year 2077 BS (2020/21) and Devkota for the year 2078 BS (2021/22).
Due to the widespread of COVID-19, the award ceremony was postponed last year, therefore, both Karna and Devkota will be awarded this year.
Vaidyanath Jha of Rajbiraj Municipality-7 was felicitated with the 21st Prakash Human Rights Award by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC). The Vaidya-Prakash fund was established with the awarded amount of NRs. 51,000 and later Jha’s mother Chandra Devi Jha contributed NRs. 50,000 to the fund from her senior citizen social security allowance. Now, the total amount collected for the fund is NRs. 101,000.
Founder of the Fund, Vaidyanath Jha said, after the increment in the amount of money collected for the fund, the prize money for Karna and Devkota has increased to NRs. 5,100.
Vaidya-Prakash Human Rights Award started from the year 2073 BS (2016/17). This award is presented to those who have contributed incredibly in the field of human rights and civil movements. The award consists of the prize money, certificate of appreciation, and a Dosalla (a kind of shawl).
In the year 2073 BS (2016/17), Baldev Ram of Madhupati Kanakpur in Suranga Municipality for his contribution to the Chamar Movement and Land Rights Campaign. In 2074 BS (2017/18), Yuktilal Marik of Chinnamasta Rural Municipality-2 was awarded for being an indispensable part of the movement of the Dom community which is considered the most marginalized community within the Dalits.
Similarly, in the year 2075 BS (2018/19), Asarfi Sada of Agnisair Krishnasawaran Rural Municipality-3 was honoured for his dedication to social and political movements against the oppression of the underprivileged, landless, squatters, and Dalits. In 2076 BS (2019/20), Manohar Kumar Pokharel of Rajbiraj Municipality-6 was awarded for playing a prominent role in the justice of the people and victims at the grassroots level as a human rights defender and social activist.