By TwoCircles.net staff reporter

New Delhi: Mahjabeen, a resident of Hyderabad is being recognised for her outstanding contribution towards child protection. The Ministry for Women and Child Development has announced Rajeev Gandhi Manav Seva Awards for the year 2007 to recognise outstanding contribution towards child development, child protection and child welfare.

Mrs. Mahjabeen of Andhra Pradesh, Mrs. Shobhna Ranade of Maharashtra and Mr. Ahanthem Tolen Singh of Manipur will be awarded Rupees one lakh each and a citation later in a function in New Delhi.

To recongnise and support the voluntary efforts in the area of child welfare and development, the ministry started these awards in 1994. Since last year this award is given to 3 individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of (i) child protection, (ii) child development and (iii) child welfare.

Mrs. Mahjabeen of Hyderabad is a sociologist, feminist writer and a lawyer. She is a founder member of an organization working for women and children at Hyderabad. For the last 15 years, she has focused on child protection.

Mrs. Shobhana Ranade of Pune (Maharashtra), is a veteran and dedicated social worker. She is working for destitute women and children with a view to making them self-sufficient. She is running 25 balwadies and crèches in the villages of Maharashtra through Kasturba Trust.

Mr. Ahanthem Tolen Singh, Chindgeirong (Manipur), render his untiring service in the field of welfare protection and development of children. He established a Destitute children home at Nonggpok Inghkhot, a leprosy colony and 20 bedded community care center for HIV affected children.