Awards won by RLEK

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Mr. Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson, Rural Litigation & Entitlement Kendra, (RLEK), was awarded 'Uttaranchal Ratan' by H.E. Shri Surjeet Singh Barnala, Hon'ble Governor, Uttaranchal at a seminar on 'The role of intellectuals in the development of Uttaranchal Pradesh' organised by All India Conference of Intellectuals on 11th August 2002

The National Literacy Mission, Government of India, and UNESCO have shown their appreciation for Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra's (RLEK) innovative and experimental literacy and adult education programme for the nomadic forest dwelling Van Gujjar community by selecting it for the UNESCO - NLM Award, 1998. The Award was presented to the Chairperson of RLEK by the Hon'ble Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi at a function in New Delhi on February 4, 1999, in the presence of Director-General, UNESCO, Mr. Frederico Mayor.

RLEK has been awarded a commendation certificate (along with a cash award) by the Rotary Awards for Service to Humanity (India) Trust, New Delhi, for this challenging experiment in adult literacy and child education. The citation reads, "On the occassion of Rotary India Award 1998 Presentation Function, Rotary Awards for Service to Humanity (India) Trust, New Delhi, is privileged to recognise and commend Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra, Dehra Dun (Uttaranchal) for their innovative and challenging experiments in Adult Literacy Programme and child education for the nomadic forest dwelling pastoral community of Van Gujjars in the foothills of the Northern Himalayas, thereby helping the beneficiaries to realise their rights and entitlements and equip themselves to work for the alleviation of their poverty." The award was presented at a special ceremony in Calcutta by Mr. Carlo Ravizza, President Elect Rotary International (1999-2000) and Mr. Luis Vicente Giay, the past President (1996-97).

The Chairperson, RLEK, Avdhash Kaushal, said that this recognition of its work in the field of literacy clearly indicates their stand that sedentarization of nomadic populations is not at all necessary in order to provide them with the benefits of literacy and education. The Van Gujjar forest dwelling nomads live in a vast and rugged area in the foothills of the Siwaliks and migrate to the Himalayan highland pastures during the summers to heights upto 12000 feet above mean sea level. The teacher volunteers of the programme stayed with their students in the forests and also trekked up and down with them to and from the mountains to provide continuity to the programme and to check recidivism.

A very high degree of transparency was provided to this unique literacy programme by holding 'Saksharta Melas' where the Van Gujjar neo-literates came out of the forests in their thousands in their traditional dresses at Mohund, every six months, to exhibit their newly acquired literacy skills to journalists, social activists, educationists etc. The local and national print and electronic media gave the programme extensive coverage throughout.

RLEK has now started both Formal and Non Formal Education for the children of these neo-literates. Two formal primary schools are already running at Dhaulatappar, Dehra Dun, and Mohund, Saharapur. A number of innovations are being made in these schools with an expert in children's education from England helping the young Indian teachers, said Mr. Kaushal.

RLEK has been awarded the 9th Red and White Bravery Award for the year 1999-2000. Mr. N.A.Vishwanathan, Commissioner, Meerut Division, gave away the Red and White Bravery Awards and Gold Medal for "Excellence in Social Work" to Professor Avdhash Kaushal, the Chairperson of RLEK. The award was in recognition of RLEK's pioneering work in the field of environment, human rights and for conducting special camps to empower the women of Garhwal.

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