A 33-year-old student from India at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was Tuesday named the recipient of the 2005 John S. W. Kellett '47 Award for improving the experience of gay and lesbians on campus. Ajit Dash, who has an M.D. in pharmacology from India and is doing his PhD in biological engineering at MIT, was named for the award to be presented this evening at the university.
"Basically, it is a recognition of my efforts here at the MIT in the past three years to create a better environment for my community and I feel honored," Dash told rediff.com.
The award recognizes any MIT individual or group for an exceptional and/or sustained commitment to creating a more welcoming environment at MIT, including improving the experience of lesbian, bisexual, gay and the transgendered individuals.
"I think I won the award, in part, due to my success in convincing MIT's career fair committee to ask participating companies whether their policies were in line with MIT's own non-
The award was instituted in honor of Kellett, whose spirited support has enabled significant improvements in the lives of members of MIT's LBGT community and the Institute as a whole.
Dash, who is originally from Orissa, said the award carries cash prize of $750. "I think it also enjoins on me a duty and a responsibility to do something for my community in India as well," Dash, who plans to go back to India after completing his doctorate, said.
Dash is also the president of the MIT Rainbow Coffeehouse, a social organization that tries to provide a safe, friendly and fun environment for MIT's LBGT community.