Gandhi Peace Prize
The Gandhi Peace Prize is an international award given away annually by the government of India. It was instituted by the Government of India in 1995 as a part of the 125th anniversary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi.
The prize
Individuals and institutions are considered for the Gandhi Peace Prize for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. The prize carries an award of Rs. 1.00 crore or equivalent in foreign currency, a plaque and a citation.
Selection
The recipient is selected by a Jury, headed by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and consisting of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India and two other eminent persons. The prize is open to all the individuals regardless of their nationality.
Only achievements within the last 10 years or the older works, significance of which has become apparent recently will be considered.
Important recipients
Julius Nyerere, the first President of Tanzania, was the first recipient of the prize (1995). Other important recipients are Ramakrishna Mission, Baba Amte, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Grameen Bank, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and others