Ramon Magsaysay Award - 2015

Ramon Magsaysay Award - 2015

The Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) announced five individuals from India, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines will receive Asia’s premier prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award. The 2015 Magsaysay Awardees are:

1.      Kommaly Chanthavong, from Laos.  She is being recognized for “her fearless, indomitable spirit to revive and develop the ancient Laotian art of silk weaving, creating livelihoods for thousands of poor, war-displaced Laotians, and thus preserving the dignity of women and her nation’s priceless silken cultural treasure.”

2.      Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, from the Philippines.  She is being recognized for “her single-minded crusade in preserving the endangered artistic heritage of southern Philippines, and in creatively propagating a dance form that celebrates and deepens the sense of shared cultural identity among Asians.”

3.      Anshu Gupta, from India.  He is being recognized for “his creative vision in transforming the culture of giving in India, his enterprising leadership in treating cloth as a sustainable development resource for the poor, and in reminding the world that true giving always respects and preserves human dignity.”

4.      Kyaw Thu, from Myanmar.  He is being recognized for “his generous compassion in addressing the fundamental needs of both the living and the dead in Myanmar -- regardless of their class or religion -- and his channeling personal fame and privilege to mobilize many others toward serving the greater social good.”

5.      Sanjiv Chaturvedi, for Emergent Leadership, from India.  He is being recognized for “his exemplary integrity, courage and tenacity in uncompromisingly exposing and painstakingly investigating corruption in public office, and his resolute crafting of program and system improvements to ensure that government honorably serves the people of India.”