Social activist Irom Sharmila has had a good week with the South Korean city of Gwangju conferring the “Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2007” upon her, and a New Delhi-based publisher agreeing to print her latest book of poetry. Sharmila has been chosen for the award, along with Benaras-based anti-caste system activist, Lenin Raghuvanshi.

The South Korean award, which marks the spirit of the pro-democracy Gwanju uprising on May 18, 1980—in which over 200 people were killed—was given on May 7 in Gwangju. Sharmila said on Tuesday in Imphal that her ill-health did not permit travel, adding that she was glad to have received the award.

Sharmila, who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 2000, demanding the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1952, be lifted from Manipur, has been kept alive by the state government by force-feeding her through a nose tube.

The annual human rights award is given to individuals, groups or institutions in South Korea and elsewhere for their contribution towards human rights and peace, and for their involvement in movements supporting unification and cooperation.

On Tuesday, Sharmila also told media at the Jawaharlal Nehru Government Hospital—where she was admitted since her return from New Delhi—that she has penned a 1,010-word poem called Mapok (Birth) and a Delhi-based publisher would publish it.

“The poem is mostly about my thoughts and my early days, a lot of memories,” she said. Two books of poetry by Sharmila have already been published before.