1997: Mr. Ravi Nair
Born in 1954 in
the Indian Ocean island of Madgascar, Mr.Ravi Nair began his life as a
journalist and political activist in New Delhi.
In 1994, he became a founding member of the association for the
protection of Democratic Rights. Later
on, he worked under the banner of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties.
In 1986, he
moved to a wider arena, working with Amnesty International in London first and
as regional liaison officer for South Pacific region and then as one of its
four global campaign coordinators.
Returning to
India three years later, he set up the South Asia Human Rights Documentation
Centre, New Delhi, a pioneer in its field.
Associated with various international rights groups, he is the South
Asia representative of Bangkok based Asia Pacific Human Rights NGO’s follow up
committee.
In recognition
of the services rendered to the cause of protection and promotion of human
rights, Vigil India Movement gave away the M.A.Thomas National Human Rights
Award 1997 to Mr.Ravi Nair.