Category: Humanitarian Award

KISS Humanitarian Award 2013 Conferred on Philanthropist Albina du Boisrouvray

The prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2013 was presented to global philanthropist and social entrepreneur Madam Albina du Boisrouvray from Switzerland at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, Bhubaneswar on February 26, 2014. Rabbi Julia Neuberger, The Baroness Neuberger DBE, Founding Trustee, Walter & Liesel Schwab Charitable Trust, U.K. presented the award in the august presence of Venerable Gyétrul Jigmé Rinpoché, Founder & Director, Ripa International Centre for Buddhist Study and Practice, Switzerland, Ms. Lisa Jordan, Executive Director, Bernard van Leer Foundation, The Netherlands, Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS and Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.

The award citation recognized her “concern for the millions of vulnerable children and a vision for a world having linkage between health, human rights and poverty eradication”. Madam Boisrouvray is the founder of Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International), which works with vulnerable children all over the world. The organization is named after her son, who was killed in an accident in 1986. Born in a wealthy family, she is a former journalist and film producer. However, the tragedy changed the course of her life and she established FXB International, which now leads over 100 programmes in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe.

Her son – François-Xavier Bagnoud – was a recue pilot, who dedicated his life to providing assistance to others, and FXB International takes forward his compassionate mission, she said in her acceptance address. “I am humbled to see the fantastic work that is being done in Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). It is absolutely remarkable and I congratulate the Founder of KISS Dr. Samanta for it”, she stated. Investing in children is investing in world peace, she said, adding that she wishes to share the honour with FXB team in India.

Albina du Boisrouvray is a remarkable woman who was inspired by her grief, said Rabbi Neuberger, presenting the KISS Humanitarian Award – 2013. The world has hundreds of thousands of suffering children and needs many more Albinas, she added. Appreciating the work of KISS she stated, “I was delighted to see little children learning here in their own mother-tongue”. Aspirations on the face of boys and girls of the institute make the occasion very special, said Ms. Lisa Jordan. Bernard van Leer Foundation has partnered with the institute to implement multi-lingual education, she informed. Speaking to the 20,000 cheering indigenous children present at the presentation ceremony, Venerable Gyétrul Jigmé Rinpoché said, everyone is born equal and possesses tremendous potential to become great. But this potential is unused in absence of guidance, he stated, adding that he was happy to see that KISS is providing this guidance.

Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries to the presentation ceremony, Dr. Samanta said that it is a honour for KISS to felicitate Madam Boisrouvray, who has distinguished herself by helping millions of children in distress across the world. KISS, which is the largest free residential institute for tribal children, shares her concern, he added.

The KISS Humanitarian Award was instituted by Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar in 2008 to honour and recognize individuals with exceptionally high contribution to the society in various fields relating to social issues and who have distinguished themselves as true humanitarians. The award is presented annually and its recipient is chosen by a high-level jury. KISS Humanitarian Award is being presented every year since its inception to great compassionate leaders of vision and concern for human values from different parts of the world.

Madam Albina du Boisrouvray is the sixth KISS Humanitarian Laureate. Previous recipients of this prestigious award are : His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan (2012); Rt. Hon. Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2011); Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Eminent Social Worker & His Excellency the President of Mauritius (2010); Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, Eminent Educationist & Physician and Hon’ble President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea (2009); Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Noted Social Worker & Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Social Development, South Africa National Assembly, South Africa (2008).

The award ceremony was presided by Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS. Prof. N. L. Mitra, Chancellor, KIIT University, Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS and Dr. P. K. Routray, CEO, KISS also spoke on the occasion.

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Very few human beings demonstrate exemplary courage and conviction to turn their pains and agonies into their strengths for loving and taking care of millions of vulnerable children. It is the true story of Albina du Boisrouvray who was an illustrious film personality, a writer and a successful business tycoon before a personal tragedy struck. She was not crestfallen when her 24 years old son met a tragic death during a helicopter mission in Mali.

It was a dramatic change in her life which led her to walk away from a successful career of a film producer to champion the cause of the millions of vulnerable children left in the wake of devastating AIDS pandemic. She sold her personal belongings and assets to devote all her energy, creativity, experience and credibility as an entrepreneur to humanitarian causes through numerous projects worldwide.

She founded the Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International) in memory of her son to pursue in field of development and to perpetuate the value of generosity and compassion that guided François-Xavier’s life, focusing on AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. The mission of Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International) is to fight poverty and AIDS and to support vulnerable children all over the world. Today the organization leads over 100 programmes in Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe.

It was in 1992 Albina du Boisrouvray established the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at the Harvard School of Public Health. A year later, the University of Michigan conferred upon her a “Doctor of Humane Letters Degree”.

She was made a “John Harvard Fellow” by Harvard University in 1996, and in 2001, Harvard students presented her with the “Harvard Project for International Health and Development Award”. She also received a Special Recognition Award for “Responding to the HIV/AIDS Orphan Crisis” at the second conference on Global Strategies for the prevention of HIV transmission from mothers to infants in Montreal, in September 1999.

For her work she received numerous awards including “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur”, North-South Prize from the Council of Europe, “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 4th International Conference on AIDS in India, Thai Komol Khemthong Foundation Award of Outstanding Personality for the Year 2004, insignia of Officer in l’Ordre National du Mérite and “Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres”.

She has been a remarkable lady to think “for the forgotten issues of forgotten people in forgotten places”. As a visionary she could think – investing in children and youth is investing in world peace and security. As a tribute to the selfless work of Albina du Boisrouvray, the French TV Channel 5 devoted a full documentary within its “Empreintes”. “On behalf of the son” directed by Oliver Horn, produced by Gedeon Programs and France 5, was filmed in Thailand, Burma and from Uganda to the Swiss Alps, following Albina and meeting beneficiaries of her programs. Flowing from the source of her exceptional initiative, it gives us her conception of humanitarian development and sheds a clear light on the intrinsic meanings of her of a woman engaged and above all the love of a mother.

No wonder she received honours and accolades from all over the world and she has been acknowledged as a great human being to develop inter-linkage between health, human rights and poverty reduction.

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) feels honoured to confer the prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2013 to Madam Albina du Boisrouvray.

The KISS Humanitarian Award for 2012 was conferred on His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan on 8th September 2012 in acknowledgement of his “vision for a beautiful world and concern for the humanity at large”. Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office presented the award to Mr. Thinley at a glittering ceremony held at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar.

The KISS Humanitarian Award was instituted by Dr. Achyuta Samanta, noted social activist and Founder of KISS, the largest free residential tribal institute of the world, in 2008 to honour and recognize individuals with exceptionally high contribution to the society in various fields relating to social issues and who have distinguished themselves as true humanitarians. Awardees, whose works should be in harmony with the principles of KISS, are chosen by a high-level jury.

“Concerned by the widening gap between the rich and poor and the way in which humanity is being impelled toward self destruction by insatiable greed, depleting natural resources and rising conflicts, you have moved the world to consider alternative development models. To this end, you have offered Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a holistic, sustainable and inclusive development paradigm”, said the citation. The award ceremony was graced by Mr. Ghulam Farooq Wardak, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dr. P. K. Patasani, Hon’ble MP, Bhubaneswar and Ms. Silvia Escobar Moreno, Hon’ble Special Ambassador for Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation, Spain.

In his reciprocation speech, Mr. Thinley said that the honour will encourage and inspire him to continue his work for world peace and sustainable development. There so many children in the world who do not have opportunity for education and to pursue their dreams, he said, adding that individuals like Dr. Samanta provide hope in their lives. “KISS is realizing humanitarian dream of quality education for marginalized children. It has already achieved what Bhutan is still struggling to achieve”, the Prime Minister of Bhutan stated, while calling Dr. Samanta “one of the greatest humanitarian in the world today”.

Congratulating Mr. Thinley for the award, Mr. Ghulam Farooq Wardak recounted his contribution for the world peace. Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer commended Dr. Samanta for taking quality education to the margins of Indian society. Education has power to change a society and the world, said Ms. Silvia Escobar Moreno, while expressing happiness that girls constitute about 50% of students’ strength of KISS. Dr. Patasani extended welcome to the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Education Minister of Afghanistan and other dignitaries to Odisha on behalf of the Chief Minister of Odisha and people of the state.

It is a honour for KISS to present this award to a personality like Mr. Thinley, said Dr. Samanta, while welcoming the dignitaries to KISS. Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KISS delivered the presidential address. Kalinga War awakened humanitarian spirit in Emperor Ashoka and subsequently humanitarian missions were sent to countries far and wide from this land, said Prof. N. L. Mitra, Chancellor, KIIT University.

Mr. Thinley, who heads the first democratically elected Government of Bhutan, has won world appreciation for proposing GNH as an alternative development parameter and advocating its inclusion as the ninth Millennium Development Goals. Before the introduction of democracy in Bhutan in 2008, he served the previous government in various capacities, including as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs. He also served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 1999 and again from 2003 to 2004, when cabinet ministers held the post on an annual rotational basis.

KISS Humanitarian Award is being presented every year since its inception to great compassionate leaders of vision and concern for human values from different parts of the world. Previous recipients of the award are Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President of the Supreme Court of The United Kingdom (2011), His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, (then) President, Republic of Mauritius (2010), Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, Hon’ble President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea (2009) and Madam Bomo Edna Molewa, (then) Premier, North West Province, Republic of South Africa (2008).

Mr. R. N. Dash, Secretary, KISS proposed the vote of thanks.

Jigmi Y. Thinley became Prime Minister (Lyonchhen) of Bhutan after leading his party, the Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party or Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, to victory in Bhutan’s first ever national election in March 2008. He represents Nanong Shumar constituency in Pemagatsel, Eastern Bhutan. Before the introduction of democracy in Bhutan, he served the previous government in various capacities, including as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs. He also served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 1999 and again from 2003 to 2004, when cabinet ministers held the post on an annual rotational basis.

Born in Bumthang, Bhutan in 1952, Thinley graduated with honors from St. Stephen’s College of Delhi University and went on to obtain a master’s degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University in 1976. He joined Bhutan Civil Service in 1974.

Currently he also serves as Chairman of his country’s Tourism Council, Dzongkha Development Commission, Gross National Happiness Commission, National Environment Commission, Royal Education Council, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Conservation and Environment; and Patron of National Solid Waste Management Programme.

Thinley has published many essays and papers on a wide range of topics and spoken at several conferences, meetings and seminars. He has addressed the United Nations General Assembly numerous times, spoken at regional summits and other international meetings such as the SAARC, the BIMSTEC and the Non-Aligned Movement as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bhutan. He is an International Counselor for the Asia Society, New York; Member of the International Advisory Board of the Netherlands Development Organization; and Chairman of Steering Committee for the International Expert Working Group for the new paradigm to promote well-being and happiness of all life on earth.

As a concerned leader Jigmi Y. Thinley has always advocated for Gross National Happiness (GNH) in measuring progress of any nation, instead of depending on growth in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He has always looked for happiness for every individual and continues to emphasise on the need for a holistic approach to development. He advocates for equitable and sustainable socio-economic development, judicious use of natural resources, conservation of environment, motivation for developing human relations and good governance. For the happiness of individual, he speaks about health and physical well being, educational attainment, environment resilience, cultural diversity, community vitality, emotional and psychological well being, etc.

A person with such sensibility and sensitivity could not have remained without being rewarded, for which he has received many awards and accolades like Dasho, Red Scarf, Orange Scarf titles, Druk Thuksey and Coronation medals. In 2009, His Majesty the Fifth King of Bhutan awarded Thinley the Druk Wangyel Medal – the highest civilian decoration – for excellence in carrying out his duties. That same year, Penn State presented him with the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor the university confers on an outstanding alumnus. In February of this year, Thinley received the HR Strategic and Iconic Leader Award at the World HRD Congress 2010 in Mumbai, an international initiative dedicated to shaping the future of organizations through talent management and development.

It is for his towering personality and for his vision, the KISS Humanitarian Award for 2012 goes to him.