Magsaysay award for Indian activist Deep Joshi

Manlia, Aug 4: Prominent Indian social activist Deep Joshi, has been named for the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2009 on Monday, Aug 3 for his work on 'development of rural communities'.

Joshi was the co-founder of 'Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN)' and now works as an independent consultant for the NGO which works for rural poor and promoting self help groups.

The press release issued by the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation said, "Deep Joshi was being recognised for his vision and leadership in bringing professionalism to the NGO movement in India, by effectively combining 'head' and 'heart' in the transformative development of rural communities."

62-year-old Joshi said, "I am delighted to get this honour. But the award is not for an individual, it is for an idea, for the development of rural population. We need the educated people to go to rural areas and work for their welfare."

Along with Deep Joshi, five other persons were also chosen for the Ramon Magsaysay Award. The six awardees will join 271 other laureates who have received the honour to date. They will be conferred the award at a function in Manila on Aug 31.

OneIndia News