Gandhi Peace Prize announced for last 4 yrs

NEWDELHI:The Centre on Wednesday announced the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Vivekanand Kendra, Kanyakumari was awarded for 2015 for its contribution in rural development education and development of natural resources.

For 2016, the award has been conferred jointly to Akshaya Patra Foundation for its contribution in providing mid-day meals to millions of children across India and Sulabh International for its contribution in improving the condition of sanitation in India and emancipation of manual scavengers.

Ekal Abhiyan Trust has been awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2017 for their contribution in providing education for rural and tribal children in remote areas across India, rural empowerment, gender and social equality.

The award for 2018 has been given to Yohei Sasakawa for the 2018 for his contribution in leprosy eradication in India and across the world.

The jury under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi also comprised Chief Justice of India Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Member of Parliament LK Advani. Winners’ were decided unanimously after detailed discussions.

The annual award was instituted by the government of India in 1995 during the commemoration of 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The award carries an amount of ₹1 crore and a citation.

In 2014, the award went to the Indian Space Research Organisation. The first to receive the award was Dr Julius K Nyerere, former President of Tanzania, in 1995. In the past also, there have been gap years. No awards were announced between 2005 (Desmond Tutu) and 2013 (Chandi Prasad Bhatt). The award is given to individuals and institutions for social, economic and political transformation through non- violence and is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, creed or sex. Only recent work, in the 10 years immediately preceding the nomination, is considered for the award.