Citizen Staff Writer
Our Opinion
Congratulations to Ray Amashankar, an assistant dean at the University of Arizona College of Engineering.
From his computer in Tucson, he’s raising funds from business leaders of Indian descent to help rescue girls from the sex trade there as well as the children of sex workers.
Amashankar, 66, also helped his daughter, Nita, launch a nonprofit organization to help impoverished children in his homeland learn information technology skills.
Wednesday, he was awarded $10,000 as one of 15 winners of the third annual Purpose Prize, recognizing innovators over age 60 who find creative solutions to pressing problems.
We are proud of Amashankar, the second Tucsonan to be awarded a Purpose Prize. Gene Jones, 92, was awarded one last year for creating Opening Minds through the Arts.