Rourkela: A Catholic activist from Rourkela diocese in Odisha, eastern India, has won two awards for his contribution to social work.
Remish Ekka, executive director of Adivasi Navjeevan Gathan Navjyoti Agua (ANGNA, organization for tribal new life and advent of new light), Kutra, Sundargarh district, Odisha, eastern India, received International Award—Vijay Rattan Gold Medal by International Institute of Education and Management, New Delhi; and Star of Asia Award by International Business Council, New Delhi, for outstanding achievements in Social work.
The awards were given in New Delhi on July 20.
“It is a matter of great pride that our work in tribal belt such in Rourkela is noticed and acknowledged,” said Ekka.
The credit goes to ANGNA, the staff and people for who we work together, he added.
The ANGNA is Non-profit making development organization started in 1994 with the initiative of charismatic leader Ekka.
By looking over the adverse situation of the Tribal and Other Backward Classes, he initiated to organize the people to realize their situation and take necessary action for their livelihood development.
Its objectives are to disseminate and promote rural development activities for the development and growth of the Adivasi (Tribal) and the socially, economically and Educationally backward section of the community; and to undertake all those necessary socio-economic activities for social, economical, cultural, religious, secular and educational knowledge among the people without any discrimination of caste creed community or religion and sex for the matter with equity, dignity and justice.
Some of the activity of the organization include undertaking activities related to natural resources and environment development, science and technology in agriculture development, rural and urban Community Development, social research, integration and advocacy, restoration of Human Rights and Governance, local self governance system, and health and education.
One of the outstanding achievements for ANGNA has been connected its work with global environment awareness program and global environmental hazards to human health include climate change, stratosphere ozone depletion, loss of biodiversity, supplies of fresh water, land degradation and stress of food production system.
ANGNA as a leading tribal organization always has been taken various programs to create awareness among the people on these issues: awareness on environment has become a concerned and unconcerned.