Maanav Adhikaar Award For John Dayal

 Dr John Dayal has won the Maanav Adhikaar Paaritaushik (Human Dignity Award) in recognition of his work of promoting human rights and dignity. The award in memory of Professor M. M. Guptara, consists of rupees one lakh. Dr Dayal has spent his life in investigating, and helping individual cases of human rights abuse, as well as struggling against structural human rights abuse aimed at whole groups such as Dalits, Muslims and Christians, and fighting organised human rights abuse as happened in Gujarat and Orissa. At a time in our nation's history when we have been struck down from the heights by the current global crisis as well as by the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, it is important not only to celebrate the strengths and beauties of the various cultures in our country, but also to recognise individual efforts to cleanse our country of its evils. "Over several decades, and at the cost of his own health and finances, Dr Dayal has helped people regardless of ethnicity, gender, economic status, religion or any other criterion. That is something surely worth celebrating," said Professor Prabhu Guptara. Recognising that the award is only a token, the Guptara family expressed appreciation for Dr. Dayal's efforts to render exceptional service to our country.