HONORS/AWARDS
Dr. Verghese Kurien (India, Community Leadership, 1963) received the Lifetime Change Leadership Award for 2010 in the first global LeapVault Change Leadership Awards of India. LeapVault, an organization development consulting, training and recruitment company, bestowed the honor on change leaders in business, politics, media and entertainment, sports, healthcare as well as social change and nonprofit organizations. Kurien was cited for his groundbreaking work in India's milk industry. The former chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. was able to transform the lowly Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union into the Anand Milk Union Limited, which is now an Indian household name.
Dr. Morihiko Hiramatsu (Japan, Government Service, 1995) was chosen as one of the "The Most Influential Overseas Experts during China's 30 years of Reform and Opening-up," a search conducted by International Talent Monthly, a publication of China's State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA), and the Committee of China International Talents Summit Forum, composed of top SAFEA members. Hiramatsu received the award from SAFEA Director Ji Yunshi in June 2009. Hiramatsu is the brains behind the One Village, One Product movement, which spurs self-reliant economic growth through the promotion of local products with global appeal.
The first and highest ranking woman officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) continues to reap awards. This year, Dr. Kiran Bedi (India, Government Service, 1994) has received three, so far-from the Kalpana Chawla Excellence Awards, the 9th Annual Indian Television Academy Award, and the Global Trailblazer Award. The second is for Best Female Talk Show Anchor of the TV show, "Aap Ki Kachehri Kiran Ke Saath." The last one is part of the EPIC 2010 Awards of The White House Project, an organization devoted to advancing women into leadership positions. It honored "Yes, Madam Sir," an acclaimed feature film on Bedi's life story.
APPOINTMENTS
Mechai Viravaidya (Thailand, Public Service, 1994) has been appointed Chairman for the National Economic Stimulus and Community Empowerment Program by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. This program oversees and facilitates rural development programs in Thailand's 80,000 villages. Through his team, Mechai sets up democratically elected village youth councils whose main role is to preside over government funds. Mechai was also recently named Chairman of Executive Board at the Thailand Environmental Institute, and invited as a member of the UN Global Commission on HIV/AIDS prevention.
Three RM Awardees for Community Leadership have been named to the 2010 National Advisory Council (NAC) of India: Dr. Moncompu Sambasivan Swaminathan (1971), Aruna Roy (2000), Deep Joshi (2009). The NAC is the advisory body that oversees the implementation of the United Progressive Alliance's manifesto, the "Common Minimum Programme." Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the nominations, in consultation with NAC Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The NAC was instrumental in enacting the Right to Information Act and the National Employment Guarantee Act. This year it is expected to promote a more rigorous and comprehensive social sector agenda while addressing food security, education, communal harmony and public health. Roy and Swaminathan had been members of the 2004-2008 NAC.
Shantha Sinha (India, Community Leadership, 2003) was reappointed Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection for Child Rights (NCPCR), the body that underscores the inviolability of children's rights and the importance of addressing policies concerning children and the youth. Her assignment was issued last May by the commission's Women and Child Welfare Development Ministry. Sinha championed the cause of child laborers.
The Irrigation and Public Health Department in Himachal Pradesh has tapped the expertise of Rajendra Singh (India, Community Leadership, 2001) in reviving local water systems and sources. In a June 3 report, Tribune India said that his experience in rehabilitating water sources as well as meeting the water demands of 900 villages in Rajasthan's 12 districts will prove useful in addressing Himachal Pradesh's water woes. Himachal is situated in the western Himalayas, in the northern part of India. ay awardee for water policy." Tribune India, 3 June 2010. Web. 10 June 2010.)
Jesse Robredo (Philippines, Government Service, 2000), has been appointed Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government by newly installed President Benigno S. Aquino III. The former mayor is recognized for transforming Naga City in Camarines Sur province from a third-class city into a progressive one that merited a citation by Asiaweek magazine as one of the "Most Improved Cities" in Asia. Expectations are high that Robredo--mayor for six three-year terms and former head of the national association of city mayors--will bring his rich experience in governance to the post.
PROJECTS
The Mechai Viravaidya Foundation, bearing the name of the Thai 1994 RM Awardee for Public Service was recently established to promote education and philanthropy among the youth. It is envisioned to become a model for other ASEAN nations. Mechai has also launched the Green Village Toy Library, an environmentally-friendly community service program through which privileged children from urban areas are able to donate toys and books to children in rural areas. In 2009, Mechai and his team started the Business for Rural Education and Development (BREAD), which introduced "school rice," a jasmine rice variety grown on school grounds and distributed to over 100 supermarkets and other stores. Sales are used to fund the operations of the organization's school.
Technology expert Mahabir Pun (Nepal, Community Leadership, 2007) has put up a new wireless network in Mustang rural district, located in the Himalayas to the north of Kathmandu. This project is made possible through the auspices of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity and the district government of Mustang, Nepal. The new network connects many of Nepal's districts and provides access to better services and facilities (e.g. e-education, tele-medicine, tele-training, communication and e-commerce services).
Lin Hwai-min (Taiwan, Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts, 1999) and the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan will premier their newest production, "Whisper of Flowers," on August 4 and 5 at the Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Center. The production is Lin's response to the invitation by the Chekhov International Theatre to participate in the 150th anniversary of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Inspired by the Chekhov's last work, "The Cherry Orchard," the new production explores the play's enduring theme of exuberance giving way to precarious darkness with metaphor, according to a Hong Kong government website announcement.
CAUSES:
Antonio Oposa Jr. (Philippines, 2009), along with other environmental lawyers, won a case filed against resort owners in the Tanon Strait and Bantayan Island in Cebu province for setting up permanent structures within 20 meters from the local shorelines. Last May, the resort owners and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were ordered to demolish the seawall, kiosks, and other man-made structures within the 20-meter easement zone. According to a local newspaper report, the court cited two special laws declaring the Tanon Strait and Bantayan Island as protected areas.
