In a glittering ceremony, ![]()
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Vice-President of India, presented the GD Birla International Award 2005 under the aegis of Birla Academy of Art and Culture to Rural Litigation & Entitlement Kendra for its commendable work in the region. A citation and a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh conferred upon the organization.
The Vice-President appreciated RLEK for its exemplary work towards socio-economic transformation amongst the rural community and acknowledged its contribution as a source of inspiration for the prospective social entrepreneurs of India.
The tedious task undertaken by RLEK in the inaccessible terrain of Jaunsar- Bhawar area of Garhwal and other hill region, liberating the Van Gujjar Community from bonded labours, improving the living standards of the community through education and capacity building, empowering the elected women Panchayati Raj functionaries in Uttaranchal & Haryana and for encouraging locals in protecting and improving the environment of their surroundings attracted the attention of jury members and was awarded for their outstanding contribution under the category “Rural Upliftment”.
Sarla Birla, Chairperson of Birla Academy of Art and Culture, asserted “to dream for a peaceful and developed society, we need to relentlessly chase, to keep the flame of hope alive and require many RLEKs to achieve this goal”.
Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson, RLEK in his response poignantly stated that it was a privilege for him to be working amongst the Van Gujjars and other Hill communities which has its roots deeply grounded in the Gandhian philosophy.