As An Activist

If anyone asks Dr. Adawal about his amazing ability to squeeze time for benevolence from his already cluttered 24 hours, he just gives a disarming smile. For him, generosity is not an acquired virtue; it is a way of life. This was a lesson that he learnt quite early in his life from his parents whom he often saw lending a helping hand to those who needed it the most. He says; “you need to count your blessings and give back to the society.” For that urge to speak for the downtrodden and the exploited, he always stands for the truth to make this world a better place.

In the past 25 years, Dr. Shanker has lived his motto of ‘impartial protection and promotion of human rights in all its form’ and each day he strives to fulfill its vision of ‘the creation of a just and equitable society’. MASM has action-oriented and research-oriented goals; one stressing on medical and legal camps, spotting incidents of human rights violations, and networking with like-minded organizations, while the other focuses on seminars, surveys and research on various subjects.

Had MAMS not been there, Sashi Bansal would have been added to the statistic of dowry deaths. In the dusty Godhla village in Jharkhand, nobody spared a thought about this 23-year-old who was dumped by her husband for not providing a motorcycle. Sashi begged and pleaded, but her tears trickled in vain. It was then that MASM intervened under the able leadership of Dr. Shanker, providing Sashi and her in-laws with much-needed counseling. Eventually, Sashi’s story had a happy ending. When that smile finally flickered on Sashi’s distraught face, Shanker did not count it as another milestone. He added peace to his soul. That is his reason for existence.

She is not the only victim. There have been many such cases. Another such case was that of Rinku Bindra who was caught in a web of deceit and treachery by her family who wanted to snatch away not only her property but also her dignity. The case was tricky, but the case was pleaded with the National Human Rights Commission and National Commission for Women and the guilty were brought to book.