Viswanathan Manikan (born 28 July 1951) is a community activist and key supporter of global anti-poverty movement. Addressing key issues of hunger, education, HIV/AIDS, and relief mobilization have been his core humanitarian objectives.
He has authored the book ''
The Blu Ribbon Revolution: Co-creating a World Beyond Poverty'' that addresses global poverty and the role of alleviation efforts with an emphasis on CSR.
He is a recipient of the 2012 Dubai Cares Humanitarian Award and a resident of Trishur, Kerela.
Biography
Academic career
Viswanathan Manikan was born in
Porathissery, a farming village of
Irinjalakuda
Irinjalakuda is a municipal town in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. It is the headquarters of
Irinjalakuda Revenue Division and Mukundapuram (tehsil), Mukundapuram Taluk. After Thrissur, this town has most number of administrative, law-enfor ...
, a municipal town in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Both his parents were from the farming community.
He completed his formal education at National High School and
Christ College, Irinjalakuda
Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda is a Syro Malabar Catholic Church college run by Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) in Irinjalakuda of Thrissur District, Kerala, India. Christ College is affiliated to The University of Calicut. It ...
. He received his BA in Economics from
Calicut University
The University of Calicut, also known as Calicut University, is a state-run public university headquartered at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district of the state of Kerala, India. Established in 1968, it is the first university to be set up in nor ...
in Kerala.
Manikan is a member of the International Byron Society and was a special invitee to the 38th International Byron Society conference held at Notre Dame University, Lebanon.
Humanitarian and philanthropic work
Manikan moved to
Dubai
Dubai (, ; ar, دبي, translit=Dubayy, , ) is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the most populated of the 7 emirates of the United Arab Emirates.The Government and Politics of ...
in 1985 and pursued his interest for social services alongside his professional commitments at a global corporation. Manikan's primary efforts were in the areas of welfare of blue collar workers.
His area of work further expanded to
environmental sustainability
Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and have varied in the literature and over time. The concept of sustainability can be used to guide decisions at the global, national, and individual levels (e.g. sustainable livin ...
, poverty alleviation and relief and disaster management. He has travelled extensively to Africa, Europe, Asia and South America across 60 countries, largely those in LDCs (
Least developed country). Manikan has been actively engaged in mobilization of pro-bono services and funds for NGOs that work to fight hunger and poverty.
Honourable distinctions
In 2012, he received the prestigious Dubai Cares
Humanitarian Award from Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai in recognition of his support for Dubai Cares global and local projects.
In 2014, Manikan received the award for Best Charity in the Individual category at the 7th Masala ! Awards. The award ceremony was held at the Madinat Jumeirah and he was felicitated for his outstanding contribution in the field of humanity.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manikan, Viswanathan
Indian anti-poverty advocates
1951 births
Living people
People from Irinjalakuda