Hanumappa Reddy Sudarshan

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hanumappa Reddy Sudarshan

Hanumappa Reddy Sudarshan ( Kannada ಡಾ. ಎಚ್. ಸುದರ್ಶನ್) (born December 30, 1950 in Bangalore ) is an Indian doctor who campaigns for the rights of indigenous peoples and together with the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK) founded by him in 1994 the Right Received Livelihood Award .

Medical career

Sudarshan studied medicine at Bangalore Medical College, where he graduated in 1973. He received the title of professor at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). From 1975 to 1979 he worked for the Ramakrishna Mission . This activity took him to the Himalayas , to Belur Math in West Bengal and to Ponnampet in Karnataka . In 1980 he worked on the Biligiriranga Hills and got to know the Soliga people there.

Social projects

Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK)

In 1981 he founded the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK). This organization works for the integrative tribal development of the indigenous population . Initially, the work focused on the semi-nomadic Soliga in the Chamarajanagar district ( Karnataka , South India). Later projects with other tribes were added, which are located in the district of Mysore (Karnataka), in Tamil Nadu , Arunachal Pradesh or on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands . The aim is to integrate the tribes into civil society without destroying their roots and traditions. In order to achieve this, the medical care of the tribes was ensured through the construction of clinics and the use of mobile medical teams. At the same time, tribal medicine and especially knowledge of remedies were promoted. Schools were built to improve children's education. All tribal members have been trained to treat their environment with care in order to preserve biodiversity . The tribes were also supported in organizing themselves and holding elections in order to be able to fight for their rights together. So the Soliga were able to acquire a large part of the land from their ancestors. At the same time, the proportion of tribal members who had regular work also increased.

Karuna Trust

Sudarshan founded the Karuna Trust in 1987 . First of all, this was intended to provide funding for the fight against leprosy . Over the years, the medical program was expanded, for example with help for tuberculosis patients and free dental treatments. Over 30 clinics are also financed by the Karuna Trust. There is a close connection between Karuna Trust and Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra.

further activities

Sudarshan was or is a member of numerous state institutions as well as non-governmental organizations that deal with health, education and social problems.

Awards

Certificate for the Right Livelihood Award Sudarshans

In 1994 Sudarshan received the Right Livelihood Award for his work with Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK).

Quotes

  • “To eliminate disease, you have to eliminate poverty. I realized that the only way to do this is to organize people to get their rights. "
  • "There is no pill for poverty."

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Reddy Sudarshan, Hanumappa
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Indian medic
DATE OF BIRTH December 30, 1950
PLACE OF BIRTH Bangalore