3rd Annual 'Right Every Wrong Conclave & Karamveer Puraskaar'

UNODC organized a Panel Discussion at the Conclave on Citizen Action to Combat Human Trafficking. The panelists represented different stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies and civil society, who have collaborated with UNODC in addressing the issue; they shared initiatives taken by different citizens groups or structures. Mr. Gerry Pinto, Child Rights Specialist, and Ms. Hasina Kharbhih, Head of Impulse Network, spoke about the importance of active citizenship in combating human trafficking. "Mobilizing communities to be active citizens brings sustainable change.....working with the Post-office allows the work to continue, even beyond the involvement of the NGO", said Ms. Kharbhih. Mr.Pinto emphasized on a campaign called 'icare', "change must start with 'us', 'I' and then all the I's can get together and 'we' can make a change."

Ms. Kajol Devgan, Bollywood actress, Ms. Ashita Mittal, Deputy Representative and Officer- in- Charge, UNODC Regional Office for South Asia, Mr. Jeroninio Almeida, Founder iCONGO, Dr. Ash Narain Roy, Associate Director, Institute of Social Sciences, and Mr. Anant Trivedi, National Network for India (NNFI) Representative,were panellists for the Press Meet, held before the Karmaveer Puraskaar Awards' Ceremony. During her address, Ms. Mittal shared with the audience the UNODC initiatives in the areas of good governance, rule of law and anti-human trafficking. She emphasised on the need to address corruption to ensure that fruits of development reach the citizens in any country. She also explained that how human trafficking was one of the worst forms of crime that affects women and children.

At the Karamveer Puraskaar awards ceremony, Ms.Mittal presented the Karmaveer Puraskaar award to Ms. Kajol Devgan, for her active participation and involvement with NGOs, especially for her work with children.

Mr. Md. Shakir Hussain, Inspector of Police, WPC, CID, Hyderabad and Mr. Upendra Prasad, Assistant Sub Inspector, Sahdei Buzurg OP of Vaishali District in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, received the Karmaveer Chakra award for going beyond the call of their duty to rescue victims of human trafficking. These awardees were nominated from their respective Police departments and instituted by UNODC to highlight the importance of anti human trafficking activities as an important component of Good Governance.

Karmaveer Puraskaar is the peoples' award instituted by iCONGO. The objective, in giving such an award, is to encourage and promote good governance and social responsibility amongst citizens in government, business, NGOs, small/medium enterprises, academics. 47 awards were presented to personalities for their contribution in fields such as the arts/entertainment, literature, music, social work/entrepreneurs and NGO sector, for the year 2008.