MANILA (NNN-Bernama) -- An Indian grassroots activist whose community initiatives in Tamil Nadu empowered thousands of rural women to form micro enterprises and break the poverty spiral is among this year's recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay awards.
Kulandei Francis, 65, was adjuged winner along with five activists from Taiwan, the Philippines, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Indonesia, Press Trust of India reported.
Francis, whose Integrated Village Development Project (IVDP)in Krishnagiri has helped changed lives of Tamil Nadu villagers, is recognised for his "visionary zeal, profound faith in community energies and sustained programmes in pursuing the holistic economic empowerment of thousands of women and their families in rural India," the Magsaysay Foundation said.
Francis, who came from a modest background, attained a graduate degree from Annamalai University and started the IVDP in 1979 which over the years has expanded its reach in the state.
It helped establish self help groups for poverty-stricken women that enabled them to launch micro enterprises create savings accounts and secure reliable loans.
Through education and community activities, thousands of women have been able to help their families climb out of poverty.
At present more than 8,000 self help groups across the districts of Krishnagiri, Dharmpuri and Vellore are supported by IVDP.
Other winners of this year's award are Chen Shu-Chu from Taiwan, Romulo Davide from the Philippines, Syeda Rizwana Hasan from Bangladesh, Yang Saing Koma from Cambodia and Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto from Indonesia. --NNN-BERNAMA
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