New Delhi, Aug 4 - Congratulating Indian social activist Deep Joshi on winning the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said his work should inspire others to dedicate their lives for rural upliftment.

Manmohan Singh lauded Joshi for 'his leadership and innovation in the area of rural development and livelihood projects'.

The prime minister said Joshi has done the nation proud, and hoped that his work would inspire others to dedicate their lives to the cause of rural empowerment and uplift through voluntary service, the Prime Minister's Office said.

Joshi, 62, is the co-founder of the Professional Assistance for Development Action (Pradan) that works all over India for the rural poor, promoting self-help groups, developing locally suitable economic activities and introducing systems to improve livelihoods of rural people.

He was named one of the winners of this year's Ramon Magsaysay Award for his pioneering work in the development of rural communities.

Joshi has double Master's degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and in management from the Sloan School.