Quick Facts
Biography
Rangu Souriya is an activist for women and children and the founder of Kanchanjunga Uddhar Kendra, a non-profit organization based in Siliguri, dedicated to helping victims of sex trafficking in Darjeeling, North East India and Nepal. She was awarded the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Awards in 2011.
Work
In 2004, Souriya went to Kathmandu toseek guidance from Anuradha Koirala and team Maiti Nepal. After interacting and learning from them, she came back to Darjeeling and started Kanchanjunga Uddhar Kendra. Since then she and others at the NGO have rescued more than 1100 girls from cities like Patna, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
Recognition
Souriya received the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Award in 2011 and was recognised with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Women Achievers’ Award in 2009. In addition, she has been honoured by more than 20 regional organisations for her services.
In January 2016, she was listed as part of the 100 Women Initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (India) that aims to recognise and acknowledge 100 women who are making a difference in their communities across the country,