Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is being conferred with the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is being honoured in recognition for his outstanding contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
The Gandhi Peace Prize, an annual award instituted by Government of India since 1995 - the 125th birth anniversary commemoration year of Mahatma Gandhi - recognizes Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s immense and unparalleled contribution in inspiring the liberation of Bangladesh, bringing stability to a nation born out of strife, laying the foundation for the close and fraternal relations between India and Bangladesh, and promoting peace and non-violence in the Indian subcontinent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the jury for Gandhi Peace Prize, has said that Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, adding he is a hero to Indians as well.
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He also said that Bangabandhu’s legacy and inspiration has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted, adding the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade.
The jury, which also comprised two ex-officio members namely the Chief Justice of India and Leader of the single largest Opposition party in Lok Sabha, met earlier on March 19 and after due deliberations unanimously decided to select Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Sulabh International Social Service Organization Founder Bindeshwar Pathak were also part of the jury.
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The Gandhi Peace Prize is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or sex. The award carries an amount of Rs one crore, a citation, a plaque andan exquisite traditional handicraft/ handloom item.
The recent Gandhi Peace Prize awardees 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 past awardees include luminaries like Dr. Julius Nyerere, Former President of Tanzania; Dr Gerhard Fischer, Federal Republic of Germany; Ramakrishna Mission; Baba Amte; Late Dr. Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa; Grameen Bank of Bangladesh; Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa; Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).