Goodness Apple

‘Aam Aadmi Awards’ held by Jana Mitra, Sukuki Exnora PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

Proud moment: Health Minister Danam Nagender with Animal Rights activist Amala Akkineni presenting the first ‘Aam Admi Award-2010′ to HYDERABAD: They are soldiers armed with inner strength to wage battles against the government, social evils and apathy, all for the common good. Their motivation comes from within and is hardly dependent on recognition.Nevertheless, awarded they were, at the ‘Aam Aadmi Awards 2010′, the first-ever awarding ceremony for unsung heroes organised by Jana Mitra and Sukuki Exnora here on Saturday.

Tagged ‘Extraordinarily Ordinary’, the awards, with the logo modelled after the Common Man of eminent cartoonist R.K. Laxman, were given to six persons on four different fronts — Civic Consciousness, Social Work, Education and Environment.

P. Ramakrishna, retired Railway driver, got the award for Civic Consciousness for his relentless efforts to draw attention of the authorities towards reducing train accidents. On Saturday too, he came equipped with two petitions, one suggesting satellite monitoring of the level crossings and the other for curbing illegal transportation of cheap liquor.

Mohd. Ashfaq, social worker from CHATRI, got the award for his contribution to slum development and empowerment of the deprived communities. Ravinder Kaur, home-maker promoting free education to children, and Margaret Francis, who has been working in 28 slums in Hyderabad, shared the award for education. Ch. Ramesh, saviour of dogs in Malkajgiri and Thrimurthy Pillay, the automobile mechanic who regularly feeds pariah kites got the awards in the ‘Environment’ category.

Significant contribution

There were also Green Leaf Awards 2010 sponsored by Ramky group for significant contribution to solid waste management. While Tanuku Municipality was given the ‘Best Municipality’ award, municipalities of Adilabad, Palamaneru, Pulivendula, Sadashivpet and Suryapet got awards for Best Door-to-Door Collection, Best Collection and Processing, Best Garbage-bin-free town, Best Transportation System, and Best Sustainability Practices respectively.

Minister for Health Danam Nagender and social activist Amala Akkineni gave away the awards.