The Ministry of Culture recently made an extension for the Gandhi Peace Prize nomination period from the originally scheduled 30th April to now 15th June 2020. This decision was taken in light of the Covid-19 induced lockdown. The annual prize, first instituted by the Government of India back in 1995 during the commemoration of the 125th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, is awarded to those making social, economic, and political transformation possible through non-violence.
About the Gandhi Peace Prize
First introduced in 1995, the Gandhi Peace Prize commemorates the legacy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, fondly known as Mahatma Gandhi. This yearly award is conferred upon individuals or organizations involved in facilitating socio-economic and political change via non-violent means. The monetary component of the award amounts to ₹1 crore. Additionally, the recipient also receives a citation in a scroll, a plaque, and an exquisite traditional handicraft or handloom item.
Who Can Receive the Gandhi Peace Prize?
The Gandhi Peace Prize is open to all individuals, associations, institutions, and organizations. There are no restrictions on nationality, creed, race, or sex, making this international award accessible to a diverse pool of applicants. However, it should be noted that the award is not conferred posthumously. Moreover, the award can be shared between two persons or institutions in instances where the jury deems them to be equally deserving in a given year.
Recent History of the Gandhi Peace Prize
In January 2019, the Gandhi Peace Prize was awarded for the years 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. The winners were selected based on their significant contributions towards societal change through peaceful methods, reflecting the principles that Mahatma Gandhi stood for.
Mahatma Gandhi: The Man Behind the Name
Mahatma Gandhi, originally named Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. He met his untimely death on 30th January 1948 in New Delhi where he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse during evening prayers. Gandhi, a lawyer by profession, later evolved into a prominent politician, social activist, writer, and leader of the Indian nationalist movement against British rule. His leadership and ideologies were instrumental in India’s freedom struggle.
Legacy and Contributions of Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi’s works span from books, journals to the foundations he established. Some of his known journals include Young India, Navajivan, Harijan, Harijan Bandhu, and Indian Opinion I and II. His published books include ‘Hind Swaraj’, ‘Satyagraha in South Africa’, and his autobiography ‘The Story of My Experiments with Truth’. Gandhi also founded several institutions like Natal Indian Congress in 1894, Phoenix Settlement in 1904, Satyagraha Ashram in 1915, Harijan Sevak Sangh in 1932, and Sevagram Ashram in 1936. Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel laureate and renowned poet, is said to have bestowed upon him the title of ‘Mahatma’, meaning great soul.
