Ramon Magsaysay Award

Chairman of the Ramon Magsaysay awards Juan Santos (R) congratulating Prof Abdulah Abu Sayeed

With the concurrence of the Philippine government, the prize was created to commemorate the late Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay and to perpetuate his example of integrity in government, courageous service to his people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.

In May of the same year, seven prominent Filipinos composed the founding Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), the nonprofit corporation tasked with implementing the awards programme.

During the Foundation's four decades of existence, Asia has made great progress, some nations more than others. Yet the region continues to grapple with problems of poverty, malnutrition, disease, and violence, as well as with newer problems that have come with progress itself.

In recognising individuals and organisations who have addressed these issues with extraordinary vigour, integrity, and selflessness, the Foundation seeks to honour the memory of President Ramon Magsaysay and to place living examples of exceptional service before the public.

The RMAF recognises and honours individuals and organisations in Asia, regardless of race, creed, sex, or nationality, who have achieved distinction in their respective fields and have helped others generously without anticipating public recognition. The awards were given in five categories: government service; public service; community leadership; journalism, literature, and creative communication arts; peace and international understanding.

During the year 2000 Magsaysay Awards presentation ceremonies, the Foundation announced the creation of a sixth Award category -- Emergent Leadership.

Now the Award is given in six categories:

Government Service -- for "outstanding service in the public interest in any branch of government, including executive, judicial, legislative or military."

Public Service -- for "outstanding service to the public good by a private citizen."

Community Leadership -- for "leadership of a community toward helping the disadvantaged have fuller opportunities and a better life."

Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts -- for "effective writing, publishing, or photography, or use of radio, television, cinema or theater as a power for public good."

Peace and International Understanding -- for "outstanding contributions to the advancement of friendship, peace and solidarity as the foundations for sustainable development within and across countries."

Emergent Leadership -- for "outstanding work of an individual, forty years of age or younger, on issues of social change in his or her community, but whose leadership is not yet broadly recognised outside of the community."

Each year, the Foundation solicits award nominations from selected persons throughout Asia, who are qualified by virtue of position, expertise, or experience. Nominations are carefully evaluated and the awards are determined following rigorous consideration by the Foundation's Board of Trustees.

Abdullah Abu Sayeed among the awardees
Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, an outstanding Bangladeshi, is among the recipients of this year's prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award. Founder and head of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, Prof Sayeed received the Award for Journalism Literature and Creative Communication Arts for "his cultivating in the youth of Bangladesh a love for literature and its humanising values through exposure to the great books of Bengal and the world."

The award was formally conferred during the Presentation Ceremonies held on 31 August 2004, at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines.

Earlier on 02 August 2004, the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced that this year seven individuals would receive Asia's most prestigious prize. The six others are from China, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Jiang Yanyong, a retired military doctor from China, for Public Service. Dr Jiang is cited for "his brave stand for truth in China, spurring life-saving measures to confront and contain the deadly threat of SARS."

Laxminarayan Ramdas of India and Ibn Abdur Rehman of Pakistan, leading advocates in the Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD), for Peace and International Understanding. Mr Ramdas, former chief of his country's navy, and Mr Rehman, a journalist and human rights advocate, are recognised for "their reaching across a hostile border to nurture a citizen-based consensus for peace between Pakistan and India."

Haydee Yorac, from the Philippines, Chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), for Government Service. Miss Yorac is recognised for "her building the people's confidence in government through service of exceptional integrity and rigor and her unwavering pursuit of the rule of law in the Philippines."

Benjamin Abadiano, from the Philippines, a volunteer assisting indigenous peoples, for Emergent Leadership. Mr Abadiano is cited for "his steadfast commitment to indigenous Filipinos and their hopes for peace and a better life consonant with their distinctive tradition and hallowed ways of life."

Prayong Ronnarong, a farmer from Thailand, for Community Leadership. Khun Prayong is honoured for "his leading fellow-farmers in demonstrating that self-reliant local enterprises, supported by active community learning, are the path to rural prosperity in Thailand.

They each received a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President Ramon Magsaysay, and a cash prize.

Anom Biswas is an Editorial Assistant of The Daily Star.