Gandhi Peace Prize for Bangabandhu

Indian government has decided to honour Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize-2020 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods, an official statement said yesterday.

The jury for Gandhi Peace Prize is chaired by Indian 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. They are: Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation.

The past awardees include luminaries like Julius Nyerere, former president of Tanzania; Gerhard Fischer, Federal Republic of Germany; Ramakrishna Mission; Baba Amte (Shri Murlidhar Devidas Amte); Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa; Grameen Bank of Bangladesh; Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa; Shri Chandi Prasad Bhatt & Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Recent awardees include Vivekananda Kendra, India (2015); Akshaya Patra Foundation, India, and Sulabh International (Jointly, for 2016); Ekal Abhiyan Trust, India (2017); and Shri 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.

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

He also said 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.

Bangladesh government has acknowledged with deep gratitude the decision of India to confer the Gandhi Peace Prize-2020 to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, posthumously for the first time.

"It is an honour for Bangladesh and its people for the Father of the Nation to be bestowed with this prestigious award," said the foreign ministry in a statement.

The honour assumes special significance on the 50th year of Bangladesh's independence when the country is on the verge of becoming a developing country, through political, economic and social transformation, the foundations of which were laid by Bangabandhu, it said.