Medha Patkar

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Medha Patkar
born on December 1, 1954
Medha Patkar
Movement:	Narmada Bachao Andolan
Major organizations:	National Alliance of People's Movements(NAPM)

Medha Patkar (Marathi:मेधा पाटकर) is a social activist from India.

1 Early life
2 Awards and Honours
3 External Links
4 References

[edit] Early life

Medha Patkar was born on December 1, 1954. Prior to being a social activist, Medha did her M.A. in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). She left her position on the faculty of TISS as well as her unfinished Ph. D. when she became involved in the tribal and peasant agitations in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, which eventually led to the organization of the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

[edit] Hunger strike

On March 28,2006, she started a hunger-strike to protest against the decision of the authorities to raise the height of the Narmada Dam. She ended her 20 day fast on April 17, 2006, after the Supreme Court of India refused the Narmada Bachao Andolan's appeal to stop the construction of the dam.

[edit] Criticism of Being Anti-Gujarati

[edit] Arrested by Police in West Bengal

Social activist Medha Patkar was held by the police at Singur on December 2, 2006 before as she reached to protest against the acquisition of farmland. The police personnel present there told her that her presence might incite people and create a law and order problem. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya said that Naxalites and SUC(I) workers were also involved in the incidents and the police were forced to retaliate after they were attacked with bombs and stones. ^[1]

[edit] Foreign Fund and Anti-National Activities

NBA - Foreign Fund & Anti-National Activity

Narmada Bachao Andolan has been accused by Madhya Pradesh Government by receiving foreign funds and utilizing it for putting rehabilitation process in trouble. Government has also produced the proof of frequent foreigner visits to NBA. MP and Gujarat Governments have produced the affidavit and proof in the Apex Court about the same. Leading news papers of India had covered the news and screen shot from one of the news paper is avilable here.

[edit] Awards and Honours

Medha Patkar is one of the recipients of Right Livelihood Award for the year 1991. She received the 1999 M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award from Vigil India Movement. She has also received numerous other awards, including the Deena Nath Mangeshkar Award, Mahatma Phule Award, Goldman Environment Prize, Green Ribbon Award for Best International Political Campaigner by BBC, and the Human Rights Defender's Award from Amnesty International. She was also a Commissioner to the World Commission on Dams.