Medha Patkar was bom on 1st Dec 1954 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She did her MA in Social work in Tata Institute of Social Sciences. She married Khanolkar but they separated because of Medha’s interest in fighting for poor people. She retained her husband’s family name, She sympathized with the condition of tribal villages which got submerged in the Sardar Sarovar dam. The tribals’ livelihood of fishing was lost. Medha Patkar led the Narmada Bachao Andolan through her National Alliance of People’s movement organization with the support of social activists and tribal people themselves. She wanted the tribal youth to find alternative ways of earning a living.

So, She started Jeevansaalas (i.e.) Life Schools through which 5000 tribal youths have studied, graduated and become athletes and workers in various fields. Her schools continue to serve the tribal children for more than 30 years. Appreciating her concern for the wellbeing of all suppressed and disadvantaged people she was given many national and international awards. Some of the important awards are viz Right Livelihood Award, Mahatma Phule Award, Human Rights Defender’s Award from Amnesty International, Germany and Person of The Year BBC (1999). Like Medha, we should also raise our voices against social injustices in the country.