Opinion

Unsung heroes of yesteryear

06 Nov 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

There are many people among us who should be considered as heroes who are not recognised for their dedication and hard work to create a better and a safer environment and also a better world. They are seen as “unsung heroes’’ and before long, are unheard and forgotten. And their efforts are only limited within that area or community.

No proper appreciation was given to them but only the contentment that they were able to do some good social work. It was evident that something should be done to give these people recognition and value for what they are and for what they do. Thus, it was regarding this reason that the Capital Maharaja Organization, along with news 1st decided to start an awards ceremony to honour those who dedicated themselves to the betterment and welfare of the society and their efforts.

A press briefing for the third edition of V- Awards 2015 was held recently at the Capital Maharajah Organization Auditorium, Colombo. to mark the occasion amidst a distinguished gathering including Jorn Sorenson , Country Director of UNDP Sri Lanka, Chevaan Daniel , Group Director of the Capital Maharaja Organization Ltd, Mr. Mohan Bharara CEO/ Group Director TCMOL , M. Ramamoorthy , Director, (Planning) Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare , Commercial Credit Representative , and Senaka Rajapaksa , Deputy General Manager, Ceylinco respectively. The platinum sponsors of the event.

" something should be done to give these people recognition and value for what they are and for what they do. "

This event is in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Sri Lanka, the Capital Maharajah Organization and the Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare.

V- Awards started in 2011 as a collaboration of the National Steering Committee on Volunteerism, UNV Sri Lanka and News first to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the International year of volunteers and to honour individuals who make extraordinary and selfless contributions to society through volunteerism. Following the success of V- Awards during the two previous editions in 2011 and 2013, this year’s V- Awards returns and will include a special thematic award on ‘’Volunteering for Disaster Risk Reduction’’ to complement the ‘’ Volunteer of the Year’’ and the ‘’Youth Volunteer of the Year’’ Awards.

During the launch, Jorn Sorensen , The Country Director of UNDP Sri Lanka said ‘’ volunteers play a vital role in reaching out to people, including those marginalized, to bring people’s voices , and knowledge into collective actions. Therefore the prevalent culture of volunteering in Sri Lanka provides a very fertile ground to successfully achieve the targets set by the Global Goals’’. He said that he was very impressed when he first came to Sri Lanka.

Mohan Bharara , CEO, / Group Director of The Capital Maharaja Organization, stressed that the Capital Maharajah Organization kept the nation first. A number of people needing help are much larger than the number of people who don’t really need help. He requested the media while honouring those who have achieved excellence, to focus on people who had just been recognized once, for the small things they did. That‘s what will help us to inspire each one of us to help to improve the society to secure a better place.

Chevaan Daniel, Group Director of The Capital Maharajah Organization Ltd, pointed out “Humanitarianism is changing. Without the brave men and women who step up at the very moment disaster strikes, where would we be? Without the men and women who seek no attention but serve without exception, where would we be? The Capital Maharaja Organization supports v- Awards because of these heroes. V- Awards is for them.”

" A number of people needing help are much larger than the number of people who don’t really need help. He requested the media while honouring those who have achieved excellence, to focus on people who had just been recognized once, for the small things they did "

The Grand Finale, a national, trilingual, two hour live television event will be held in February 2016 with the Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers is expected to grace the occasion. You could select a nominee from your area of whom you think is suitable to be honoured for his or her services. Nominations can be sent till the 27th of November 2015 to the V- Awards Secretariat, C/O, UNV 202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha , Colombo 07, where they will be screened for eligibility and submitted to an independent and impartial judging panel.

Short listed candidates will be visited by a special News First video team to gather further evidence of their work and based on all information collected; the judging panel who will select the winners. All nominees and nominators must abide by the decision of the judging panel who will then select the winners.
All nominees and nominators must abide by the decision of the judging panel and all decisions relating to the selection of the awards finalists and winners are definitive and no appeals will be entertained.

Opinion

Unsung heroes of yesteryear

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