Bangabandhu awarded ‘The Gandhi Peace Prize-2020’

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been awarded with the prestigious “The Gandhi Peace Prize-2020” in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.

The Gandhi Peace Prize recognizes the immense and unparalleled contribution of Bangabandhu in inspiring liberation of Bangladesh, bringing stability, laying foundation for India-Bangladesh relations and promoting peace in the region, said a statement of the Indian ministry of Culture in New Delhi this afternoon.

The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by Indian government since 1995, the 125th Birth Anniversary commemoration year of Mahatma Gandhi. The award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or sex.

The Jury for Gandhi Peace Prize is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprises of two ex-officio members — the Chief Justice of India and Leader of the single largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha.

Two eminent members are also part of the Jury, namely Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organization.

The Jury met on March 19, 2021 and after due deliberations, unanimously decided to select Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020.

Earlier, Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, Former President of Tanzania Julius Nyerere, Dr. Gerhard Fischer from Germany and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa were among the proud recipients of this prestigious prize.

The recent awardees also include Vivekananda Kendra, India (2015), Akshaya Patra Foundation, India and Sulabh International (Jointly, for 2016), Ekal Abhiyan Trust, India (2017) and Yohei Sasakawa, Japan (2018).

The award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft or handloom item.

Paying tribute to Bangladesh’s Founding Father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Modi said that Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, and is a hero to Indians as well.

“The legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade,” Modi added.

Referring to celebration of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary, Modi said as Bangladesh celebrates “Mujib Borsho”, India is honoured to be commemorating his legacy jointly with the government of Bangladesh and its people.

Modi said that Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, and is a hero to Indians as well.

He also said that the legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted, and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade.

Source: BSS

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