Recognitions
Disha has to its credit several awards in recognition to its work with the community:
1. Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jattha gave a certificate to the organisation in 1992 for creating awareness among the masses.
The certificate read:
“It is certified that Disha Social Organization, Sultanpur Chilkana, Saharanpur, conducted mass awakening campaign in the rural areas of Saharanpur district under the Government of India programme Jan Gyan Vigyan Jattha 92. The work of the organisation in the campaign was excellent. I wish bright future for the organisation. – DN Lal, Chief Development Officer, Saharanpur”
2. Coordination Award was given to Disha Social Organisation by Samanvaya – Sahitya Chetna Ka Deep Stambha, Saharanpur, for excellent work in rural areas for social awareness on Hindi Divas, 1992.
3. Ramrati, a grassroots activist of the organisation, was bestowed with the first ‘Late Prem Bhai Award’ in 1995 by Uttar Pradesh Voluntary Action Network (UPVAN) for playing an important role in organising women that led to an anti-liquor movement in Pather village.
4. Sanskar Nidhi honoured KN Tiwari, Director, Disha Social Organization, on September 26, 1998.
The scroll of honour read:
“Sanskar Nidhi Nyas is getting itself honoured by honouring Shri Tiwariji as a social worker. He does not require any introduction. He is present in us.
He is founder and director of Disha Social Organization and a famous social worker. His achievements include empowerment of women and labour organisation and is famous for economic and political uplift of these sections.
Education of Shri Tiwari, born in Purbal Gaon village of Hindao Patti of Ghansali development block of Tehri Garhwal district in Garhwal Himalayas, started late because he was busy in sharing household burden of her mother. He went in for education to struggle against social disparities. Child leadership at primary level, constitution of youth club at intermediate level and leadership qualities at higher education level reflected into his election as president of college cell of National Student Union of India and vice-president of City Youth Congress.
His political mentor was Late Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. He raised the problem of potable water before him. He was appointed as researcher by the Directorate of Adult Education and went to Japan on educational tour. On coming back he founded Disha Social Organization.
This organisation made efforts to organise agricultural labours in its initial phase. In his endeavour, cooperation was extended by Babu Premnath Garg, in whose memory we have gathered here. Shri Sanjay Garg of this family gave his valuable contribution in the development of Disha.
Today, he is associated with a number of government and non-government organisation. He is chairperson of state level network organisation Uttar Pradesh Voluntary Action Network (UPVAN). Along side, he is also member of the India level network Voluntary Action Network of India (VANI).
By honouring him, this trust salutes a youth power.
We are members and office-bearers of Sanskar Nidhi”
5. International Publishing House awarded KN Tiwari ‘The Man of Achievement Award 1999’.
The award citation read:
“International Publishing House, the world’s most leading biographical specialists, do hereby proclaim that Shri Keshva Nand Tiwari has been selected THE MAN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 1999 for being a human rights activist of immense prominence and repute, he holds 20 years of very meaningful experience in social work, rural development, gender issue and advocacy. – Director, International Publishing House”
6. Uttar Pradesh Diversified Agriculture Support Project (UPDASP) awarded the Communication Team of the organisation for performing a street play at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, during Agro Expo-2000 (February 1, 2000).
The award certificate read:
“This is certified that Disha (Street Play Team) did commendable performance in its programmes and produce in Uttar Pradesh Pavilion from January 26, 2000, to February 1, 2000 at Agri Expo-2000 organised at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, and got a distinctive place in the category of private institutions. – Jacob Thomas, IAS, Project Coordinator, UPDASP and Secretary Coordination, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Ajay Prakash Verma, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and Agriculture Produce Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh”
7. A citation to Disha Social Organization was provided by the District Magistrate, Saharanpur, for participating in Women Empowerment Fair (2001).
8. Disha was among the three voluntary organisations in the state to bag an Award for Best Performance in SHG Organisation, Bank linkage and Self-employment by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The award was presented at a function organised at Bankers’ Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) in Lucknow on May 18, 2001. The Director, KN Tiwari, received the award on behalf of the organisation.
The citation read:
“This scroll of honour is being given to Disha Social Organisation for its excellent contribution to the SHG-bank linkage programme. Mr KN Tiwari, Secretary, and all the staff are worthy of praise for this contribution. – May 18, 2001, R Balakrishnan, Chief General Manager”.
9. Disha was awarded the Tenth Rotary India Awards 2001 by Rotary Awards for Service to Humanity (India) Trust on December 13, 2001, in New Delhi.
10. The Creative Journalist Forum of North India presented a certificate of appreciation to Disha on May 25, 2002, in Saharanpur for unparalleled work in the field of social service and women empowerment.
The scroll of honour read:
“The Creative Journalist Forum of North India feels itself honoured during the third seminar titled ‘Dangers and Challenges on Journalism’ held at the auditorium of Hotel Clarks International at Dehradun district to honour the secretary of Disha Social Organization, Sultanpur-Chilkana, District Saharanpur, for social service done in rural areas, his continued struggle for getting the women their rights and praiseworthy contribution in social service. The institution wishes you a bright future. – Govind Sharma, President, Satish Shah, Senior Vice-President, JM Gandhi, General Secretary, Ravi Bakshi, Treasurer”
11. Uttar Pradesh Voluntary Action Network (UPVAN) identified Disha as lead organisation to conduct ‘Social Harmony and Brotherhood Week’ from July 15 to 21, 2002 (July 6, 2002)
12. The 11th Red and White Bravery Gold Award was presented to Director of the organisation K N Tiwari in recognition of an exceptional act of social courage and work by Red and White Godfrey Philips India Ltd. in 2003 in Lucknow. The Award carried a cash of Rs 15,000, a gold medal, a citation and a shawl.
The citation read:
“As director of the social organisation ‘Disha’ Mr KN Tiwari is continuously struggling to tighten reins on evils and atrocities prevailing in the society.
Any comment on his 22 years of dedicated service as a human rights and social activist for social uplift is too little in comparison to what he has done.
Working at the people level, Mr Tiwari is struggling for proper place to women in the society, land reforms and distribution of government land to the landless, equal wages to women in agricultural sector, first use of forest produce by traditional forest dwellers, prohibition and empowerment of financially weaker villages.
Honoured with several prizes Mr Tiwari has represented India at several international seminars and meetings of voluntary organisations.
For continued contribution of Mr KN Tiwari in the society and multi-faceted services for the weaker sections, he is being awarded Gold Medal of 11th Red and White Bravery Award in the category of social work of the state of Uttar Pradesh.
13. Disha got a letter of appreciation for its active participation at Child Parliament organised on the Right to Education organised from November 8 to 10, 2003.
The appreciation letter read:
“You actively participated in all the activities of Child Parliament on the right to education. Your voice was reflected in the final announcement of Child Parliament. The final announcement was listened seriously at the high level meeting on universal education held on November 11, 2003. Your demands will influence the steps to be taken up for making quality education available to each child.
We praise your valuable suggestions given by you at Children Parliament and hope that you will continue your support for quality education. Best of wishes for your bright future. – Kailash Satyarthi, President, Global March against Child Labour”
14. Sewa Samajik Sanstha and Adarsh Kanya Uchchatar Madhyamik Vidyalaya gave a letter of honour to KN Tiwari for his support in establishing the school.
The letter read:
“To Shri Keshva Nand Tiwari, Director, Disha Social Organization, Sultanpur.
Sir,
July 20, 2004, will always remain historical for our village Sabdalpur and our school because today you have made it our village and school premises under social harmony and mutual brotherhood campaign. On this happy occasion, we all workers of Sewa Samajik Sanstha, all students, teachers and members of managing committee of Adarsh Kanya Uchchatar Madhyamik Vidyalaya and all villagers heartily salute you.
Sir, in this area there was no higher secondary school for education beyond class eight for 15 km. As a result girls of 15-20 villages were unable to study beyond class eight. It was also not possible for the girls in remote villages to daily commute to Saharanpur city in today’s environment. Because of these reasons, need of a higher secondary school was being badly felt here.
Sir, your valuable guidance, financial cooperation and active participation in establishing this school has been our great strength. Owing to your motivation, higher secondary school has been established for the girls in Sabdalpur village. Sir, not only in Saharanpur district, but in whole of India, you have an image of dedicated social worker and advocate of the human rights, particularly those of women and dalits. Your organisation Disha has inculcated self-confidence among oppressed women of not only this area but of entire country to stand up for their rights.
You have always been a centre of hope for self help groups of women, social awakening, human rights, agricultural labourers, small farmers and poor villagers. While welcoming you, we are feeling honoured and we hope that you will continue your association with our organisation Sewa Samajik Sanstha and our school.”
15. Disha’s worker Naseema was awarded by tenth Late Prem Bhai Award for the year 2004 for her excellent contribution in social uplift.
The letter of appreciation read:
“On the occasion of Pradeshik Samaj Sevi Mahasammelan 2004, Ms Naseema was honoured by Prem Bhai Samman on the third day of the month October of the year two thousand four for her excellent contribution in social uplift. – Bharat Bhushan, Chairperson, and Ashok Bhai, Secretary”
16. Disha was a Flame CategoryFinalist in Micro Finance Process Excellence Awards 2005 instituted by Planet Finance and ABN AMRO Bank. The award was first in Uttar Pradesh and second in India
17. Disha’s Uttaranchal Coordinator Jahnavi Tiwari was honoured by the Hindi daily Rashtriya Sahara, New Delhi, for her contribution to the betterment of the society.
18. Disha Social Organization was honoured by Saharanpur Mahotsava Samiti on April 21, 2005, for the cooperation it extended in successful organisation of Saharanpur Mahotsava.
19. Disha was a Flame CategoryFinalist in Micro Finance Process Excellence Awards 2006 instituted by Planet Finance and ABN AMRO Bank. The award was first in north zone
20. Disha was awarded by City Group Foundation with appreciation award in 2005-06 for excellent work in micro entrepreneur in below poverty line (BPL) Groups. A BPL group of promoted by Disha was awarded Rs 1 lakh in cash