The CNN-News18 Indian of the Year is back and its bigger and awe-inspiring this year. With nominees ranging from the area of business, entertainment, sports and public service, IOTY 2015 is surely going to leave you amazed.
Below are the nominees in the area of relentless public service
Anshu Gupta - Founder, Goonj
For making Indians believe in the joy of giving. Anshu Gupta has given a new meaning to cloth, as a symbol of giving, survival and dignity. A devastating fire which gutted Goonj’s Delhi centre last November didn’t stop their annual campaign Odha Do Zindagi - spreading warmth in winter.
Centre for Science & Environment
For bringing to the fore, the grave and growing danger of pollution in Delhi! CSE monitored the pollution average citizens are exposed to on a daily basis – in buses, autos, the metro, and while walking and forced the government to act. CSE’s campaign educated citizens to the need for decongestion and laid out an agenda for action for the government.
Operations SMILE and MUSKAAN
Over 28,000 children rescued from a life of slavery and abuse. Pioneered by the Home Ministry, Operation Smile and Operation Muskaan have rescued and rehabilitated missing children, pushed into prostitution and bonded labour. From sensitising and motivating the police, to coordinating with states, maintaining and updating the constantly changing database, the Home Ministry is now ensuring states have professional translators, psychiatrists and shelter homes to rehabilitate missing children.
Destiny Foundation
Destiny Foundation’s mission is to end human trafficking and rehabilitate sex workers in Bengal. Founded by Smarita Sen Gupta, the organisation conducts training programs in shelter homes and red light areas, training girls in vocational skills and basic literacy. Scarves, bags, wallets made by sex workers are exported and Destiny Foundation provides legal assistance to bring them out of the flesh trade. It currently supports 75 women and children, 60 have been reintegrated.
The People of Chennai
For their heroism and selflessness during the devastation which followed the worst rains in the city in a 100 years. From opening their homes to opening their hearts, the people of Chennai came out on flooded roads to carry out neighbours, organise boat rescues, cook and distribute food to the hungry and homeless.
Temsutula Imsong – Swachh India
A chance boat ride on the Ganges in Varanasi changed Temsutula Imsong’s life. The stench and filth from the open toilet that was Prabhu Ghat impelled her to pick up a broom and lead a team of volunteers to clean up the riverbank. The team cleaned 300 kilos of excrement from the ghat in 5 days. Volunteers slept overnight on the ghat to ensure it wasn’t dirtied. Imsong is now in talks with the district magistrate to build more public toilets and signing up local boatmen for a government benefits program.
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