Rangu Souriya is an Indian activist and social worker for women and children. She is the founder of Kanchanjunga Uddhar Kendra, a non-profit organization based in Siliguri, dedicated to helping victims of sex trafficking in Darjeeling, North East India and Nepal. She was awarded the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Awards in 2011.
Rangu Souriya | |
|---|---|
| Born | Panighatta Tea Estate, Mirik (community development block), Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India[citation needed] |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Darjeeling Government College[citation needed] |
| Occupation | Social activist |
| Parent(s) | Aity and B. R. Souriya[citation needed] |
| Awards | Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Awards |
Work edit
In 2004, Souriya went to Kathmandu to seek guidance from Anuradha Koirala and team Maiti Nepal. After interacting and learning from them, she came back to Darjeeling and started Kanchanjunga Uddhar Kendra.[1] Since then she and others at the NGO have rescued more than 1100 girls from cities like Patna, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.[2][3]
Recognition edit
Souriya received the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Award in 2011 and was recognised with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Women Achievers’ Award in 2009. In addition, she has been honoured by more than 20 regional organisations for her services.[3]
In January 2016, she was listed as part of the 100 Women Initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (India) that aims to recognise and acknowledge 100 women who are making a difference in their communities across the country,[4][5]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "An interview with founder member of 'Kanchanjunga Uddhar Kendra' – Ms. Rangu Souria". DarjeelingTimes.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ "Rescuing poor girls from traffickers' traps". The Indian Express. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Rangu Souriya - Saviour for Trafficked Girls". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ "'#100Women Initiative' launched by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with Facebook to recognize 100 women achievers across India". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ "National Honour for GORKHA ICON – Rangu Souriya". DarjeelingTimes.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.