Anuradha Koirala

Anuradha Koirala (born 14 April 1949) is a Nepalese social activist and the founder of Maiti Nepal – a non-profit organization in Nepal, dedicated to helping victims of sex trafficking.[2] She was appointed as 1st Governor of Bagmati Pradesh from (17 January 2018 – 3 November 2019) by Government of Nepal.[3]

Anuradha Koirala
1st Provincial Governor of Bagmati Pradesh
In office
19 January 2018[1] – 3 November 2019
Personal details
Born (1949-04-14) 14 April 1949
NationalityNepali
Political partyNepali Congress
Spouse(s)Dinesh Prasad Koirala (separated or divorced)
ChildrenManish Koirala
ParentsColonel Pratap Singh Gurung and Laxmi Devi Gurung
OccupationSocial activist

Currently, Maiti Nepal operates a rehabilitation home in Kathmandu, as well as transit homes at the Indo-Nepal border towns, preventive homes in the countryside, and an academy in Kathmandu. As the name suggests, Maiti Nepal ("maiti" means "mother's home" in Nepali) has been a refuge for women rescued from the brothels in India. The women can stay in the homes run by Maiti Nepal until they are able to return to their homes, or if not accepted by their parents and society, they may stay until they become able to live on their own. Between 1993 and 2011, she and her organization have helped rescue and rehabilitate more than 12,000 women and girls.[4]

Maiti Nepal also works on reuniting the rescued women with their families, patrolling Indo-Nepal border with police and other law enforcement authorities and also rescuing trafficked women from the brothels in India with the help of Indian authorities.[5]

Koirala received the Courage of Conscience Award from The Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Massachusetts on 25 August 2006.[6] She won the CNN Hero of the Year award in 2010.[2] She has been called the "Mother Teresa" of Nepal for her work.[7]

The United States government gave a two-year grant of $500,000 (52124000. 00 in Nepali rupees) to Maiti Nepal in April 2010.[8]

In November 2017, Koirala joined Nepali Congress party.[9]

Anuradha Koirala with CNN Hero award

Awards and recognitions

Koirala received the Best Social Worker of the Year Award (Nepal) in 1998, Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu Medal (Nepal) in 1999, Trishaktipatta Award in 2002, the Courage of Conscience Award from The Peace Abbey Foundation in 2006, German UNIFEM Prize in 2007 and Queen Sofia Silver Medal Award in 2007.

She was presented with the CNN Heroes Award 2010 in Los Angeles, California. She was introduced by Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher on stage.[10] She received USD 100,000 to continue her work with Maiti Nepal, in addition to USD 25,000 as a token of appreciation from CNN.[10][11]

She received the Mother Teresa Award in 2014.[12][13]

Koirala was also honoured with Acharya Tulsi Kartritva Puraskar by Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal in 2014.

Koirala was conferred India's fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri in April 2017 by president Pranab Mukherjee.[14][15][16] In 2018 Koirala received the G.O.D. Award.[17]

See also

References
  1. "President to administer oath of office to Province Chiefs at 4 pm today". www.newspnp.com. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  2. "Anuradha Koirala named CNN Hero of the Year 2010". The Money Times. 21 November 2010. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
  3. https://www.tribuneindia.com
  4. CNN Hero working harder than ever to stop human trafficking, 23 June 2011, CNN
  5. Anuradha Koirala – Protecting the Powerless. Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-20.
  6. "The Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Recipients List". Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2008.. peaceabbey.org
  7. "Nepal's 'Mother Teresa' Rescues Thousands From Sex Trafficking".
  8. "U.S. asks Nepal to meet the May deadline for new constitution". The Hindu. 27 April 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  9. "CNN Hero awardee Anuradha Koirala joins NC". 12 November 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  10. "Anuradha wins CNN Heroes Award 2010". CNN Edition. 23 March 2012.
  11. "Anuradha wins CNN Heroes Award" (PDF). 23 March 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
  12. "Mother Teresa global awards for Anuradha Koirala, Amte". Business Standard. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  13. "Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice held on Sunday". dna. Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  14. "Padma Awards 2017 announced". pib.gov.in.
  15. "List of Padma awardees 2017". The Hindu. 25 January 2017.
  16. "Anuradha Koirala Receives Padma Shri Award". 14 April 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  17. Reporter, India-West Staff. "Maiti Nepal Founder Anuradha Koirala to Be Honored as Human Rights Icon of Asia by GOD Asia". India West. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
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