Boston-based social activist Bishnu Maya Pariyar has become the first South Asian to be awarded with honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) from Pine Manor College, the 102-years-old well known educational institution in Massachusetts of the USA. She is also become the first Nepali woman to be awarded DLitt from an American university.

Bishnu Maya, who graduated from the same college in Social Change and International Development, has been recognized for her undeterred contributions to the upliftment of Dalit women in Nepal. The college honored her for works to women’s empowerment through the Boston-based Empower Dalit Women of Nepal (EDWON) and Nepal-based Association for Dalit Women’s Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN), according to the college.

“I’m from Nepal. The world’s tallest mountain is in Nepal and Gautam Buddha, apostle of peace, is our asset,” Bishnu told an august ceremony while accepting the honor. “I dedicate this honor to the people of Nepal.”

Bishnu’s organization has provided education opportunities to some 10,000 students from the Dalit and other marginalized and poor communities while more than 2,000 deprived women have benefited from her women’s empowerment activities.

One of thenine children of Rup Bahadur Pariyar and Kanmaya Pariyar of Taklung village of Gorkha district, Bishnu has not only managed to come out of long struggles herself but has even managed to make an impact on thousands of others’ lives.

source: Republica