Vigil India Movement
Encyclopedia
Vigil India Movement is a non-governmental organization
based in Bangalore
that aims to protect and promote human rights
in India
. Founded in 1977, it is one of the country's leading human rights organizations focusing on the rights of Dalit
s, tribals, children and women.
It was founded by Rev. Dr. M.A. Thomas, who also founded the Ecumenical Christian Centre Centre in Bangalore in 1963 and Association of Christian Institutes for Social Concern in Asia.
In 1998, Vigil India launched The Institute of Human Rights with Mr. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah
, former Chief Justice of India
and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission
. The Institute is a training programme for human rights activists, "training trainers" for grass roots education in human rights.
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
based in Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
that aims to protect and promote human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Founded in 1977, it is one of the country's leading human rights organizations focusing on the rights of Dalit
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
s, tribals, children and women.
It was founded by Rev. Dr. M.A. Thomas, who also founded the Ecumenical Christian Centre Centre in Bangalore in 1963 and Association of Christian Institutes for Social Concern in Asia.
In 1998, Vigil India launched The Institute of Human Rights with Mr. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah
M. N. Venkatachaliah
M. N. Venkatachaliah was the 25th Chief Justice of India. He served as Chief Justice from 1993 to 1994.He had education in the old State of Mysore with Bachelor's degree in Science and Bachelor's degree in law of the University of Mysore. He commenced general practice of law in the year 1951,...
, former Chief Justice of India
Chief Justice of India
The Chief Justice of India is the highest-ranking judge in the Supreme Court of India, and thus holds the highest judicial position in India. As well as presiding in the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice also head its administrative functions....
and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission
National Human Rights Commission of India
The National Human Rights Commission of India is an autonomous statutory body established on 12 October 1993, under the provisions of The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 .-Functions:...
. The Institute is a training programme for human rights activists, "training trainers" for grass roots education in human rights.
Rev. M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award
Named after the founder of Vigil India, the organization makes a widely recognized and prestigious annual award, the Rev. M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award. The recipients since 1993 include:- Swami AgniveshSwami AgniveshAgnivesh is an Indian social worker, self-proclaimed Arya Samaj scholar, and a Hindu social activist. He is best known for his work against bonded labour through the Bonded Labour Liberation Front, which he founded in 1981...
, 2006 - Teesta SetalvadTeesta SetalvadTeesta Setalvad is a journalist and educationist. She is granddaughter of India's first Attorney General M. C. Setalvad-Personal life:She graduated with a degree in Philosophy from Bombay University in 1983 and started work as a journalist. She reported for the Mumbai editions of The Daily and The...
, 2004 - Harsh ManderHarsh ManderHarsh Mander is an Indian social activist and writer. He came into prominence after 2002 Gujarat riots and heads "Aman Biradari" which work for communal harmony. He became member of National Advisory Council of the UPA government in 2010 and special commissioner to the Supreme Court...
, 2002 - Medha PatkarMedha PatkarMedha Patkar is an Indian social activist. She is known for her role in Narmada Bachao Andolan. She has also filed a public interest petition in the Bombay high court against Lavasa along with other members of National Alliance of People's Movements , including Anna Hazare.-Personal life:Medha...
, 1999 - Mr. Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, 1998
- Ravi Nair, 1997