Awaiting approval, Gandhi prize not awarded since 2014
◗ An official of the ministry of culture said nominations were made during the last four years for the award, but an approval has been awaited
New Delhi, Oct. 2: As the country celebrates the 149th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Tuesday, the annual “International Gandhi Peace Prize”, named after the Father of the Nation, has not been conferred for the fourth straight year.
Last time, the award was conferred in 2014 to the Indian Space Research Organisation ( Isro).
An official of the ministry of culture, the nodal agency which receives proposals for conferring the award, said nominations were made during the last four years for the coveted award, but an approval has been awaited.
“The nominations are there, but it is difficult to say why it has been delayed,” official sources said.
As a tribute to the ideals espoused by Gandhi, the Government of India launched the International Gandhi Peace Prize in 1995 on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary.
The annual award is given to individuals and institutions for their contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non- violence and other Gandhian methods.
The award carries ` 1 crore in cash, convertible in any currency in the world, a plaque and a citation. The honour is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, creed or gender.
A jury consisting of the Prime Minister of India, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India and two other eminent persons decide the awardee each year.
The jury considers such proposals as have been received by the office of the ministry of culture up to April 30 of that year for which the award is to be given.
Official sources said ordinarily, proposals coming from competent persons invited to nominate are considered. However, a proposal is not taken as invalid for consideration by the jury merely on the ground of not having emanated from competent persons.