Senior Correspondent.TOD.Balurghat
Suraj Das, a social worker from West Bengal’s South Dinajpur district, was awarded the Real-Life Hero Award 2026 on Saturday in recognition of 22 years of work protecting children, advancing women’s rights and supporting vulnerable communities.The award was presented at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Salt Lake, Kolkata, during an event marking United Nations Day and hosting an international buyer-seller conference. The ceremony was organised by Hemnagar Sundarban Dream.
Surj Das received the honour from Tim Bowles, a representative from the United Kingdom, and Namgay Thinley, a representative of the Royal Bhutanese Consulate. The conference also involved the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
According to the organisers, representatives from seven countries, including India, the United Kingdom, Bhutan, Nepal, Belarus, Bangladesh and the Netherlands, attended the conference, alongside delegates from 16 Indian states.A resident of the Binshira-Tior area in the Hili block of South Dinajpur, Suraj Das has spent much of his career working to prevent child marriage, combat child labour and human trafficking, protect children at risk and address violence against women. He has also helped raise legal awareness and connect disadvantaged communities with government services.
His work with Childline 1098, India’s emergency helpline for children in distress, was a significant part of his career. He served as a centre coordinator from 2012 to 2018 and later spent six years as a member of the South Dinajpur Child Welfare Committee, contributing to efforts to safeguard and rehabilitate vulnerable children.Das has also pursued environmental conservation. Over the past decade, more than 70,000 saplings have been distributed and planted through his initiatives, according to information provided about his work.
Golam Mostafa, secretary of Hemnagar Sundarban Dream, said Das was selected in recognition of his sustained commitment to child protection and humanitarian service.In a district facing challenges including child trafficking, early marriage, child labour and gender-based violence, the award highlights the importance of grassroots efforts to advance social justice and protect vulnerable communities.
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