World Humanitarian Day is celebrated every year on August 19, to pay tribute to people who risk their lives in humanitarian service. Thousands of men and women all around the world put their lives in danger working for Humanitarian causes and do so selflessly. This day is dedicated to them and their selfless contribution.
This year World Humanitarian Day comes as the world continues to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. WHD this year is dedicated to paying special tribute to the real-life heroes who have committed their lives to help others in the most extreme circumstances around the world. Here are some such heroes who have committed their lives to help others:
1. Bindu Sathyajith
When Kerala was hit by floods, Kochi-based businesswoman Bindu Sathyajith sought to help the struggling state where the death toll was mounting. She started a group called Do for Others (DOF) with her friends – all women – and now has a network of more than 300 people. The group set up 72 bio-toilets in 72 hours in the Kuttanad region and worked with Coast Guard and navy to air-lift people.
2. Sunitha Krishnan
Sunitha Krishnan started working towards social causes at the age of eight when she was teaching dance to mentally challenged children. A few years later, she started running schools for the underprivileged children in the slum area. Despite many hurdles, she was undeterred and not someone who gave up. She worked extensively towards rescuing and rehabilitating victims of sex trafficking and went on to establish an NGO called Prajwala in Hyderabad. In 2016, she received Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India.
3. Kailash Satyarthi
Much of the world’s population, especially in poor countries, is made up of children and young people. To achieve a peaceful world, it is crucial that the rights of children and young people be respected. Indian activist Kailash Satyarthi has waged a peaceful struggle to stop children from being exploited as labor. He has also contributed to the development of international conventions on child rights. In 1980, he founded the organization Bachpan Bachao Andolan, which has freed thousands of children from slave-like conditions. Kailash Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
4. Babar Ali
At a very young age, Babar Ali saw his parents struggling to send their kids to school. This made him run his own school for underprivileged children. He earned the title of “Youngest Headmaster” at the age of 16 by BBC in 2009. Babar Ali is one of those Indian heroes who are working expecting nothing in return.
5. Kalyanasundaram
Kalyanasundaram is one of the many heroes who devoted their entire life selflessly. He is a 74-year-old man who was a librarian and donated his entire life’s earning which was around 30 Crore rupees, for the betterment of poor people. Kalyanasundaram won Man of the Millennium award and Lifetime Service Award in 2011.
Such people give us the inspiration to strive to be better citizens and work for social causes. Such selfless acts of kindness and generosity go a long way to make this world a better place.
