Social activist of Baitadi Saraswoti Nepali has been selected for this year’s Darnal Award for her contribution towards social justice for the Dalit community.

Nepali will be presented the award with a purse of Rs 500,000 during an international ceremony to be organised on August 15, the Darnal Award Selection Committee said in a statement on Saturday. Along with Nepali, the committee has also decided to honour five other social justice activists—Kalawati Bhand of Dadeldhura, Arun Sada from Siraha, Parbati Kumari Bishunkhe from Dailekh, Dilip Gandharva of Bardiya and Dr Rup Chandra Biswokarma of Bajura.

According to the committe, Nepali has been making significant contributions in the field of social justice and human rights for Dalit and other marginal communities. She has been playing important role in the struggle for the land rights, education, journalism and access to justice for the Dalits. Thanks to her continued struggle as the coordinator of the Land Rights Forum, 37 families had received two ropanis of land each. Under Nepali’s leadership, Baitadi district was announced bonded-labour free district on March 21, 2007. Subsequently, the government abolished the practice in the country in 2008.

Darnal award is an international award that honors inspirational and exemplary efforts by ordinary people in their endeavor to change the society established in the memory of visionary social justice leader Suvash Darnal. Sarita Pariyar Trust Fund, in collaboation with Jagaran Media Centre, honours youth Dalit leaders under 40 years on August 15 every two years to mark the death anniversary of Darnal.