Assam's crusader against witch-hunting Rabha receives award

Birubala Rabha, a social activist from Assam known for her relentless fight against the evil practice of witch-hunting, was today honoured with Our North East (ONE) India Award here.
The award has been instituted by My Home India, a city -based NGO.
Rabha was presented a trophy and Rs 1 lakh in cash prize (the amount was transferred to her account through RGTS) at a ceremony here.
The 67-year-old, who has received numerous awards, is a well-known figure in the North East, especially in her home state Assam, for her decades-long crusade against witch- hunting and other forms of superstitions.

She has saved a number of women from becoming victims of witch-hunting, the NGO said.
Rabha is the seventh receipt of the award and past recipients include legendary boxer Mary Kom. Rabha, born in a remote village along the Assam-Meghalaya border, set up Mission Birubala in 2011 to accelerate her crusade against the practise of branding women as 'dayans' (witches), torturing and even killing them.

In 2005, Rabha was nominated for Noble Peace Prize, according to the website of Mission Birubala.
Speaking on the occasion she said, "It's very sad that in this age of technological advancement, social evils like witch-hunting still exist in the country, especially in remote areas."

Main reasons for branding women as witches are lack of education, quality health services and absence of a strong law against the practise, she added.
The award is given to a personality from North East who has contributed to India's glory, integrity and development.