By TCN News
New Delhi: Shafiq R. Khan, an anti-trafficking activist and Founder of EMPOWER PEOPLE was honored with Amazing Indian Award by Times Now for his contribution in anti-trafficking movement in India.
Mr. Khan won the award in the Stree Shakti Category for his work in rescuing girls who fall victim to “bride trafficking.”
“Young girls are deceived in the name of marriage by professional ‘agent’ and then they are sold to buyers. This is actually known as bride trafficking (BT). They are brought to regions like Haryana, Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Maximum numbers of cases have been reported from Haryana,” said Khan to TwoCircles.net in 2011.
Mr. Khan was honored along with other recipients at a programme on Monday night (21 January) where Vice President Hamid Ansari was chief guest of the event. L.K.Adwani, Salman Khurshid, Manish Tewari, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, Ravishankar Prasad, CPM leader Sita Ram Yechuri and many other political and social leaders were also present.
Times Now has instituted this award for the people, in their words, ‘who has gone beyond their own circumstances, risen above the norms of society, to make their country a better place to live in.’ The stories of Amazing Indians are the ‘extraordinary stories of compassion, dedication, selfless service, pioneers, educators, and ambitions that are not for the self, but for the nation. These are real icons of the country – who ought to be followed in every walk of life.’
Shafiq R Khan is leading a Campaign against Bride trafficking in nine states of India he founded EMPOWER PEOPLE to coordinate and encourage anti trafficking people’s movement. Last year he led a march from Assam to Delhi to spread awareness about the cause. He is engaging local community in rehabilitation and protection of girls at risk.
Links:
http://www.empowerpeople.org.in
Empower People: Rescuing girls from bride trafficking