TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao has been awarded as the Best Mass Leader of India 2014 at the 4th All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice award ceremony held in New Delhi.
The award was presented to him at the hands of Chief Imam, All India Imam Organisation, New Delhi Imam Umer Ahmad Ilaysai. While accepting the award, Churchill has pledged to work for the promotion of human rights in Goa as well as India.
Addressing the media, Churchill said the award is special to him considering the fact that he had to start his life as a child labour by working as a waiter in a hotel at Chinchinim. “India still lacks the culture of human rights and human dignity has not been given the attention and respect it deserves. Poverty is a major factor contributing to the growing of human rights abuse in India. Due to poverty, I was deprived of my childhood passion as well as education. I had to struggle and seek employment as a child labour to feed my family”, Churchill recalled.
Observing that the All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice has branches and representatives in almost all Indian states except Goa, Churchill has promised to help establish its branch in Goa and financially support it.
In this context, the former Minister has instituted an annual award for promoting and defending human rights in Goan society in the name of his parents Braz and Eslinda Alemao, which will carry a prize amount of Rs 25,000 and a citation.
Activist Cyril Fernandes expressed his satisfaction that Churchill has been bestowed with the prestigious award by the All India Council of Human rights, Liberties and Social Justice for the Best Mass Leader of India. “Churchill deserved the award given his huge contribution to society. He was a victim of child labour and the award indeed means a lot to him”, Cyril said.
