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OUR FOUNDER
Shyam Sunder Das,
the founder President of CLAP is an eminent non-jail going freedom
fighter and Gandhian Sarvodaya leader dedicated his entire life
altruistically for non-violent public work and completed 60-years of
his crusade against injustice in 2008. As a non-conformist human
right defender he relied on International Bill of Human Rights to
draw sanction for his actions for promotion and protection of human
rights of underprivileged section of the society. He consistently
endeavoured to make access to justice a constitutional mandate for
realisation of rights and entitlements of people having less or no
access to justice system. After incorporation of provision of free
legal aid and social justice in the constitution he established
Committee for Legal Aid to Poor, popularly known as CLAP to give
expression to the constitutional vision into every day reality. The
pro-bono services and public interest initiatives of CLAP helped
innumerable people living in disadvantaged position since 1975 to
secure for themselves freedom from injustice and exploitation. He is
among a few Gandhians who always focused his work on Rights of the
People and directed such effort towards Gandhian Constructive Work.
He accepted
voluntary poverty as a way of life after receiving a Bachelor's
Degree in Commerce and Philosophy from Rajendra College, Bolangir
and Bachelor's Degree in Law. He joined Bhoodan Movement (Land Gift
Movement) and worked as the translator for Vinoba Bhave during his
visit to Orissa in 1956. He worked in the remote tribal areas of
Koraput District for liberation of bonded labour and worked with
Anna Saheeb Sahashrabudhe to run the first and only Non-Governmental
Development Block in Boipariguda. During this period he started the
first ever Cooperative Society and became a Director of it for a
decade apart from establishment of the then largest Khadi production
centre Tara Gaon Gramadani Sangha. He also led Sarvodaya Relief
Committee for a decade. He was appointed as the Commissioner of
Investigation by the Supreme Court of India in the infamous
starvation death and distress sale of children among tribal of
Kalahandi District of Orissa in 1986.
A voracious reader
and known for his pro-poor vision he has been honoured with awards
like Sarala Puraskar by IMFA Charitable Trust for social work,
Suprativa Samman for selfless service, Swaraj Samman for Gandhian
Constructive work, Niladri Samman in recognition of his life long
contribution to the society, Vinoba Peace Award for Non-violent
public Service, Bharat Jyoti Award and Glory of India award and
many more public recognition.
To know more about
him read The Icon of Justice…
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