Sonam Wangchuk, India's Real Life 'Phunsuk Wangdu', And Mumbai Psychiatrist Bharat Vatwani Win Magsaysay Award
Wangchuk, who is now 51, is being recognised for "his uniquely systematic, collaborative and community-driven reform of learning systems in remote northern India. His works have improved the life opportunities of Ladakhi youth while his constructive engagement of all sectors in local society has harnessed science and culture creatively for economic progress, thus setting an example for minority peoples in the world.
New Delhi, July 27: Sonam Wangchuk, India’s real-life ‘Phunsukh Wangdu’ is among the two Indians who have been honoured with this year's Ramon Magsaysay Award. Wangchuk came to the spotlight in 2009 after Aamir Khan played his role as ‘Phunsukh Wangdu’ in the Rajkumar Hirani directed film 3 Idiots.
Along with Wangchuk, Bharat Vatwani is among the winners of this year's Ramon Magsaysay Award, regarded as the Asian version of the Nobel Prize. The two are among six individuals declared winners today. The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation President Carmencita Abella said the winners "are clearly Asia's heroes of hope, moving their societies forward through their unequivocal pursuit of the larger good.
Wangchuk, who is now 51, is being recognised for "his uniquely systematic, collaborative and community-driven reform of learning systems in remote northern India. His works have improved the life opportunities of Ladakhi youth while his constructive engagement of all sectors in local society has harnessed science and culture creatively for economic progress, thus setting an example for minority peoples in the world.
Take a look at the Six Winners of Ramon Magsaysay Award :
On the other hand, Vatwani is being recognised for "his tremendous courage and healing compassion in embracing India's mentally-afflicted destitute, and his steadfast and magnanimous dedication to the work of restoring and affirming the human dignity of even the most ostracized," the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation said in its citation for the winner.
The others in the winner list include Youk Chhang from Cambodia, Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz from East Timor, Howard Dee from the Philippines and Vo Thi Hoang Yen rom Vietnam. The six 2018 Magsaysay awardees join the community of 324 other Magsaysay laureates who have received Asia’s highest honour to date.
This year's Magsaysay Award winners will each receive a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President, and a cash prize. They will be formally conferred the Magsaysay Award during formal presentation ceremonies to be held on August 31, 2018 at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines.
"In genuine solidarity with the disadvantaged and marginalised, each one has addressed real and complex issues with bold, and creative, and pragmatic action that has engaged others to do likewise. The results of their leadership are manifest in the changed lives of the many they have influenced", the President of Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation said.
Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honour. The Award celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Philippine president after whom the award is named and is given every year to individuals or organisations in Asia who manifest the same selfless service and transformative influence that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2018 10:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).