P. Sainath awarded 2021 Fukuoka Prize

Noted journalist, P. Sainath, was selected as one of the three recipients of Fukuoka Prize 2021.

Key Points

• Sainath will receive ‘Grand Prize’ of Fukuoka Prize.
• Academic Prize will go to Prof. Kishimoto Mio of Japan.
• Prize for Arts & Culture will be given to filmmaker Prabda Yoon of Thailand.
• Secretariat of Fukuoka Prize Committee described P. Sainath as “very deserving recipient of Grand Prize of Fukuoka Prize”.
• He will be awarded for his work of creating a new form of knowledge through his writings & commentaries on rural India and for promoting civil cooperation.

Fukuoka Prize

It is an award established by city of Fukuoka and Fukuoka City International Foundation. It is given to honor work of individuals or organizations in preserving & creating Asian culture. Fukuoka prize has three prize categories- Grand Prize, Academic Prize and Arts & Culture Prize. Fukuoka has organised Asia-Pacific Exposition with the concept of interaction between Asia-Pacific region in 1989. This prize was inaugurated in 1990 to carry on spirit of Expo. Prizes are given annually to distinguished people for fostering & increasing awareness of Asian cultures.

Grand Prize

Grand Prize has been awarded to Muhammad Yunus from Bangladesh, historian Romila Thapar and sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan. So far, eleven Indians have received Fukuoka Prize. About 115 people from 28 countries and areas have received Prize in past 30 years.

Who is Palagummi Sainath?

He is an Indian journalist and author of book called “Everybody Loves a Good Drought”. He has been actively campaigning over famer’s issues and backed Samyukta Ekta Morcha that leads farmers’ agitations in India. He was awarded with Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2007 because he believes “journalism is for people, not for shareholders”. He founded People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI) in 2014 which is an online platform focussing on social & economic inequality, poverty, rural affairs, poverty and aftermath of globalization in India.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2021