M. Lakshmi (46), the seaweed collector who won the prestigious Seacology Prize from the US-based Seacology, a non-profit environment organisation, was given a rousing reception on her return to Pamban on Wednesday.
As she alighted from Chennai-Rameswaram Express at Pamban railway station, members of Gulf of Mannar Seaweed Collector Women Forum, people from coastal Chinnapalam, her native place, and her well-wishers welcomed her by garlanding and presenting shawls amid drum beating.
A visibly moved Ms. Lakshmi, who had received the award at Berkeley in California on October 9, thanked her colleagues, Vineeta Hoon, the Seacology representative in Chennai who had accompanied her to the US, People’s Action for Development, which recommended her name for the award, and the media for getting the award.
“I am overwhelmed by the recognition. This is a honour for the entire fisherfolk and I will continue to guide the fishing community engaged in fishing and seaweed collection in sustainable fishing and collection,” she told The Hindu .
The Seacology Board, after receiving nominations from across the world, had voted to award the 2015 Seacology Prize to Ms. Lakshmi.
The prize carried 10,000 US dollars and a glass trophy with her name inscribed on it in English and Tamil.
“I dedicate the award to the entire womenfolk, engaged in seaweed collection without harming the biosphere reserve in the Gulf of Mannar,” she said, adding she would give a portion of the prize money for the education of poor children in her hamlet.
