Sanjeev Chaturvedi, Anshu Gupta win Ramon Magsaysay Award

BANGALORE: Whistleblower bureaucrat Sanjeev Chaturvedi and human rights activist Anshu Gupta are among five persons from India, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines who will receive Asia’s coveted Ramon Magsaysay Award.

In a statement issued early on Wednesday morning, the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) announced five awardees.

"Thank you; this is a great honour. I'm speechless; it seems honesty and one's struggle for justice don't go unnoticed," Mr. Chaturvedi told The Hindu confirming the development.

The 2002-batch Indian Forest Service officer, who is currently embattled in a protracted battle with the Centre over alleged harassment for his tough stance on graft, was the former Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at the AIIMS in New Delhi.

According to the foundation, Mr. Chaturvedi has been awarded for “his exemplary integrity, courage and tenacity in uncompromisingly exposing and painstakingly investigating corruption in public office, and his resolute crafting of program and system improvements to ensure that government honorably serves the people of India.”

'Recognition for cloth as a charitable product'

Anshu Gupta, the founder of NGO Goonj, the statement said, is being recognised for “his creative vision in transforming the culture of giving in India, his enterprising leadership in treating cloth as a sustainable development resource for the poor, and in reminding the world that true giving always respects and preserves human dignity.”

Mr. Gupta, who left his corporate job to start the nonprofit organisation Goonj in the year 1999, is an elated man today.

Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Gupta said: “It’s definitely a great recognition for me and my team. It has been a beautiful journey working for Goonj. I am happy that we have been able to change many lives in the course of time.”

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