Gandhi Peace Prize
In News :
- WHO Goodwill ambassador Yohei Sasakawa to get Gandhi Peace Prize for 2018
Context :
- Gandhi Peace Prize for 2018 will be conferred on Yohei Sasakawa who is Goodwill Ambassador of the World Health Organization for Leprosy Elimination. The award will be given to Mr Sasakawa in recognition of his work towards the eradication of the disease in India and across the world.
- Ekal Abhiyan Trust has been chosen for the award for the year 2017. Ekal Abhiyan Trust has been selected for their contribution towards providing education to rural and tribal children in remote areas, and for gender and social equality.
- Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International will share the award for 2016. Akshaya Patra Foundation will receive the prize for providing midday meals to millions of children while Sulabh International for improving the condition of sanitation and emancipation of manual scavengers.
- Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari bagged the award for 2015. Vivekananda Kendra will be awarded for its contribution to rural development, education, development of natural resources.
Gandhi Peace Prize :
- The Gandhi Peace Prize is an international award given away annually by the government of India. It was instituted by the Government of India in 1995 as a part of the 125th anniversary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi.
The prize :
- Individuals and institutions are considered for the Gandhi Peace Prize for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. The prize carries an award of Rs. 1.00 crore or equivalent in foreign currency, a plaque and a citation.
Selection :
- The recipient is selected by a Jury, headed by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and consisting of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India and two other eminent persons. The prize is open to all the individuals regardless of their nationality.
- Only achievements within the last 10 years or the older works, significance of which has become apparent recently will be considered