| Harsh Mander | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1955 (age 56–57) |
| Occupation | Writer, Activist |
Harsh Mander (born 1956) 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.[1][2] He has written a collection of essays titled Unheard Voices: Stories of Forgotten Lives published by the Penguin Books (2001) and Fear and Forgiveness: The Aftermath of Massacre (2009).[3]
Contents |
Harsh Mander has worked formerly in the Indian Administrative Service in the predominantly tribal states Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh for almost two decades, mainly as the head of district governments of tribal districts. He is associated with social causes and movements, such for communal harmony, tribal, dalit, and disability rights, the right to information, custodial justice, homeless people and bonded labour. He writes and speaks regularly on issues of social justice.He is also a founding member of ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy).[4]
His books include ‘Unheard Voices: Stories of Forgotten Lives’ and ‘Fear and Forgiveness: The Aftermath of Massacre’ published by Penguin India. Other major books include ‘The Ripped Chest: Public Policy and Poor in India’. Mallika Sarabhai wrote the script of the play Unsuni based on Harsh Mander's book Unheard Voices. Arvind Gaur translated & direct it in Hindi and Mallika Sarabhai direct Unsuni for Darpana.
He is at present convenor of Aman Biradari, a people’s campaign for secularism, peace and justice, working for Nyayagrah, for legal justice and reconciliation for the survivors of the Gujarat 2002 carnage, and Dil Se, for the rights of homeless children, youth and women. He is Special Commissioner appointed by the Supreme Court of India to advise it in the Right to Food case on hunger and state responsibility, Honorary Director of the Centre for Equity Studies (working on public policy for the poor), Visiting Professor at IIM, Ahmedabad on poverty and governance and writes a column for th Hindu. He is appointed for National Advisory Committee on the recommendation of Mrs.Sonia Gandhi. [5]
He was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award for peace work, and the M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award 2002.
5. http://www.vijayvaani.com/FrmPublicDisplayArticle.aspx?id=530 6. http://www.justicefoundation.co.uk/welcomeDetail.php - an organisation allegedly closely linked to ISI spy Ghulam Nabi Fai.