Magsaysay award winners Nileema Mishra and Harish Hande had “helped to harness technologies to empower their countrymen and created waves of progressive change across Asia,” Award foundation president Carmencita T. Abella, said.
The other winners of the award for 2011 are: Filipino charity group Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. (AIDFI); Hasanain Juaini, who set up an Islamic school for girls in Indonesia; his fellow countrywoman, Tri Mumpuni, who promoted micro hydropower technology; and Koul Panah, working to restore democracy in Cambodia.
The awardees will receive a certificate, a medallion and a cash prize here on August 31. The award is named after famous Philippine President, who died in a plane crash in 1957.
Dr. Hande, a U.S.-trained Indian engineer, was recognised for bringing solar lights to a country where half of the households have no power, the foundation said.
The 44-year-old runs his own solar electric light company that has lit up over 1,20,000 households, to emerge as India's leading solar technology firm.
“His passionate and pragmatic efforts to put solar power technology in the hands of the poor ... has encouraged the poor to become asset creators,” the foundation said.
Ms. Mishra, a lender to the poorest in Maharashtra, was recognised for “her purpose-driven zeal to work tirelessly with villagers in Maharashtra...to address both their aspirations and their adversities through collective action and heightened confidence.”
Among other notable Indians who have been honoured with the award include Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Jayaprakash Narayan and Mother Teresa.
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