Pratibha Naitthani is an Indian social activist and professor who is reputed for rebelling against the violence and vulgarity exhibited across various television channels and programmes, as well as her PIL or Public Interest Litigation filed in the Mumbai High Court against adult films on cable television. Several television channels outside India were compelled to restrict their broadcasting content and follow her guidelines related to the Indian programming code. As per the law, no adult content can be displayed on television screens for 24 hours, and Mumbai High Court passed orders in her PIL law. She is termed as `moral police`. She claimed that the films or programmes which are certified as `Adult` by the Censor Board should not be broadcast in television channels which are also accessed by children too.
Early Life of Pratibha Naitthani
Pratibha Naitthani was born on 10th January in Mumbai and she belongs to Pauri Garhwal in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. Presently, she imparts lessons on Political Science at St. Xavier`s College, Mumbai. Dr. S. S. Naitthani, her father Hindi department`s pioneer, which was a part of the Bombay University and also St. Xavier`s College.
Career of Pratibha Naitthani
Pratibha Naitthani works as a lecturer in Political Science, St. Xavier`s College. She also works continuously for the welfare of tribals, children and women. She is a member of the Reconstructive Foundation which provides free reconstructive and plastic surgery particularly to children and other people belonging to families who are victims of financial constraints and suffer from congenital physical deformities and burn injuries. Numerous victims of acid attacks have approached her organisation to be treated. Reconstructive Foundation also ensures the rehabilitation of the victims, besides granting them free medical treatment. Naitthani worked for the establishment of rules for the regulation of the sale of acids. When the Government of India decided to make the teaching of sex education mandatory in schools, the content shocked her as it was more `pornographic` than educative and academic. She filed petition in petition committee of Rajya Sabha under the cooperation of Jain Muni Shri Ratnasundersurishwar Maharaj. After much discussion, the sex education syllabus was withdrawn.
She is also a Rajasthani folk singer who has an album attributed to her and has travelled to 16 nations across the globe representing the Rajasthani `Ghoomar` group. Workshops are arranged by her to encourage Rajasthani culture, Rajasthani dances and songs. Besides, Pratibha Naitthani is said to be the one and only Rajasthani singer who has been honourable enough to have recorded the state song of Udaipur royal family entitled, `Mharo Veer Shiromani Des`. She loves trekking and travelling, and is amongst the very first 7 women who successfully completed the Nanda Devi Raj Jat which is conducted once every 13 or 16 years. She has trekked extensively over Mount Everest Base Camp, Uttarakhand and other regions.
Awards received by Pratibha Naitthani
Pratibha Naitthani was one of the 29 women who were chosen by India Today as Power Goddesses of India in the year 2005. Maharana Mewar Foundation, Udaipur has awarded her the awarded Pannadhai Award for her contribution to social work. During 2007 she was felicitated by the Mayor of Mumbai as the Outstanding Woman of Mumbai city on International Women`s Day.
