GUWAHATI: With the aim to promote the importance of human relationship, the University of Science & Technology (USTM), Meghalaya organized a two-day National Convention on 18th and 19th March where this year’s Social Work Excellence Award was conferred upon Birubala Rabha, social activist from Assam and Swati Paradkar, president of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, Mumbai.
Expressing happiness as she received the award, Birubala Rabha, the crusader against witchcraft and witch-hunting said, “Witchcraft and witch-hunting is a very superstitious belief which exists even in today’s world. For decades, I have been doing awareness campaigns. I call upon everyone to join my mission to erase this social evil completely.”
Rabha was instrumental in the passing of the Prevention of and Protection from Witch Hunting Act, 2015 by the Assam Government. The active role played by Birubala Rabha in the eradication of witch-hunting is an inspiration for many who wish to bring a positive change in society.
Receiving the award, Swati Paradkar said, “This is a big honor for me as well as the 45,000 women across India who are an active part of our organization”.
Swati ben is a self-made woman, an effective administrator, an entrepreneur par excellence and a torchbearer of the Gandhian concept of Sarvodaya. She joined as papad rolling sister member at a very tender age to mitigate the family financial crisis, at Wadala Branch in 1971, four years after the institution was formally registered.
