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The prestigious Vivekananda Sewa Samman for the year 2004 instituted by Shree Burrabazar Kumarsabha Pustakalaya, Kolkata in 1987, has been presented this year to Dr Narayan Singh Manaklav, a noted social worker, Padmabhushan awardee and Member of Parliament, for his outstanding services rendered to handicapped children, elderly age people and drug addicts. The Samman was presented by Acharya Vishnukant Shastri, Uttar Pradesh Governor. The award consists of a certificate and a purse of Rs 51,000. Born on September 17, 1942, in Manaklav village of Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, Dr Manaklav post graduated in Hindi literature and did his doctorate from Jodhpur University. He was appointed a professor in Magadh University of Bihar. Influenced by Antyodaya Yojana in 1977, he quit his job and dedicated himself to the service of the poor. For this he wandered from village to village. In 1979, he established the Afim Mukti Upachar Prashikshan Aur Anusandhan Sansthan. He gave it a new shape and till now he has accomplished the task of freeing more than 700 people from drug addiction all over the country. In this region he is now known as Afim Vala Baba. In 1991, he opened a residential school called Sucheta Kriplani Shiksha Niketan for the development of handicapped children in his village. Today there are more than 500 handicapped students in the school. Thirteen students of this school recently won gold medals in different competitions held in England. Impressed by the performance of these children, Prince Charles visited this school recently. Recognising Dr Manaklav'sefforts in the field of social work, the Government of India honoured him with the Padmashri in 1986 and Padmabhushan in 1991. The President also nominated him as Member of Rajya Sabha in 2003. (FOC)
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