- Vigil India Movement
Vigil India Movement (Vigil India) is a
non-governmental organization based inBangalore that aims to protect and promotehuman rights inIndia . Founded in 1977, it is one of the country's leading human rights organizations focusing on the rights ofDalit s, tribals, children and women.It was founded by Rev. Dr. M.A. Thomas, who also founded the
Ecumenical Christian Centre Centre in Bangalore in 1963 andAssociation of Christian Institutes for Social Concern in Asia .In 1998, Vigil India launched The Institute of Human Rights with Mr. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, former
Chief Justice of India and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. The Institute is a training programme for human rights activists, "training trainers" for grass roots education in human rights.Awards
Named after the founder of Vigil India, the organization makes a widely recognized and prestigious [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060627/nation.htm#11 "Thomas award for Agnivesh "] ,
The Tribune ,Chandigarh , June 27, 2006] annual award, the Rev. M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award. The recipients since 1993 include:
*Swami Agnivesh , 2006
*Teesta Setalvad , 2004
*Harsh Mander , 2002
*Medha Patkar , 1999
* Mr. JusticeV.R. Krishna Iyer , 1998
* Ravi Nair, 1997Notes
External links
* [http://www.vigilindia.org/Home.htm Vigil India Movement]
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