The first Shyam Sundar Das award for Human Rights has been conferred on advocates Sidheswar Mohanty and Janmejaya Katakiya in recognition of their efforts in facilitating access to justice to the marginalised sections.
The award, instituted by Committee for Legal Aid to Poor (CLAP) in honour of Sarvodaya leader late Shyam Sundar Das, was presented to them by Justice B K Mishra of the Orissa High Court. The award carries a cash prize of `25,000 each with a citation and shawl. Siddheswar Mohanty had pursued the PIL on setting up of creche for children of mines workers and labourers in the mining areas.
The Orissa High Court had thus directed the Government to implement the Mining Creche Rules, which has come as a boon for thousands of infants and children in the mining areas.
Janmejaya Katakiya filed a PIL on the rehabilitation and land rights of leprosy patients in Cuttack upon which the High Court directed the Government to provide land pattas to 60 families.
National Law University Vice-Chancellor Prof Chandra Krishna Murty delivered a lecture on Access to Justice for the marginalised on the occasion.
Among others who spoke on the occasion were former SGP Sarat Mishra and president of CLAP Bikash Das.