Harsh Mander

Harsh Mander is a prominent Human Rights activist and author in India [http://www.drishtipat.org/activists/harsh.html Harsh Mander: an icon of courage and hope ] .

He was born in the Sikh faith [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/2493075.stm BBC Interview] , however according to his wife Dimple, he does not believe in any religions.

He joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1980. Initially he was assigned to work in Madhya Pradesh, and later to Chhattisgarh. In 1999, he was posted on a deputation to the British charity ActionAid (AA) as its country director for India. The Indian Government decided to recall Mr Mander soon after his deputation but he continueed to represent AA India [http://www.hvk.org/articles/0103/211.html Conspiracy of silence, Krishen Kak, The Pioneer, January 11, 2003 ] .

In 1984, Harsh was was an additional collector of Indore where the collector was Ajit Jogi, later chief minister of Chattisgarh. The same year, Indore witnessed riots against the Sikh community and Harsh was asked to be the man in-charge of the relief camps.

He is said to have remained close with Ajit Jogi who as the chief minister of Chhatisgarh, sanctioned Rs 3 crore to ActionAid while Mander was still of that cadre. He secured a premature retirement from the government position in protest after the 2002 Gujarat riots, but continued to work on be the ActionAid position.

Mander has served as the Deputy Director of the IAS Academy at Mussoorie. He had previously served as District Collector and as the managing director of the SC/ST Finance Corporation and Director of ActionAid India. Subsequently he has worked as a columnist, a writer and activist.

He received the 2002 "Rev. M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award" from the Vigil India Movement.

Among other publications, Mander has written a collection of essays titled "Unheard Voices: Stories of Forgotten Lives" published by the Penguin Books (2001). He has published a number of articles mainly focussing on the status of Muslms and Christians in India [http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1439/55/ A heavy cross to bear] .

References

* [http://www.twocircles.net/2007oct24/marked_people.html The marked people] , "www.TwoCircles.net"
* [http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20020415&fname=Cover+Stories&sid=3 'Obedience Pushes You To Fascism'] Harsh Mander interview, "Outlook", Apr 15, 2002
* [http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/15052002/1505200263.htm Harsh Mander: an icon of courage and hope] , "The Milli Gazette", May 15, 2002

References