Kulandei Francis is being recognised for "his visionary zeal, his profound faith in community energies, and his sustained programmes in pursuing the holistic economic empowerment of thousands of women and their families in rural India," said a statement from the Magsaysay Foundation.
Francis, 62, founded the NGO Integrated Village Development Programme (IVD) which has established over 1,800 self-help groups and empowered over 1,53,000 women in the backward districts of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu.
On hearing news on being chosen for the Magsaysay Award, the former priest said he was "pleasantly surprised" and wants to be a role model for others to emulate. The social activist will leave Krishnagiri on August 24 to receive the award. Read more