The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award that the Indian government confers on the person or an organisation/institution who brings social, political and economic transformation using non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
What is the Gandhi Peace Prize? The Gandhi Peace Prize is awarded to one person/organization annually. A Jury comprising Prime Minister of India, Chief Justice of India, Leader of Single Largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha, and two eminent members decide the awardee. ● The term of the jury is three years. ● Ex-officio members of the jury (PM, CJI & LoOp) are permanent members, while eminent members retire. Reappointment is applicable. ● PM is the head of the jury. In his absence, remaining members of the jury decide the presiding officer. ● A majority of the jury is needed to make a decision. Further, no protests can be made against the jury's decisions. Important Facts about Gandhi Peace Prize 1. The award signifies Gandhian doctrine of non-violence to bring about a social, political and economical transformation. It was started in the year 1995 which marked the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji. 2. The Gandhi Peace Award has following components: a. Rs. 1 crore b. A citation c. A plaque d. An exquisite traditional handicraft/ handloom item 3. The award can also be conferred as a ‘Joint Award’ as may be decided by the jury. 2 persons and or organizations equally deserving of this prize can be awarded with Gandhi Peace Joint Award. a. In 2016, Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International were jointly awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize. b. Dr. Nelson Mandela and Grameen Bank of Bangladesh were given a joint award in 2000. 4. The Gandhi Peace Prize is applicable to any one without discrimination on the following grounds: a. Race b. Language c. Caste d. Creed e. Nationality f. Sex 5. Any organization that meets the eligibility criteria can be awarded with the Gandhi Peace Prize. a. Rama Krishna Mission was given the Gandhi Peace Prize in 1998. b. Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan was given the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2002. c. Indian Space Research Organisation was given the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2014. d. Vivekananda Kendra was announced as the Gandhi Peace Prize Awardee 2015. e. EkalAbhiyan Trust was presented with the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2017. 6. The Jury is empowered to uphold the award for the year in case of insubstantial nominations. 7. The award is conferred to the person/organization/institution or association considering the work done by them in 10 years preceding the nomination year. However, the jury considers older work if its significance has not become apparent until recently. 8. Only published work can be awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize.
Gandhi Peace Prize Year-Wise [1995-2020] The list of Gandhi Peace Prize Awardees if given in the table below:
Gandhi Peace Prize Winners
Year Awardees of Gandhi Peace Prize
1995 Dr.Julius K.Nyerere, former President of Tanzania
1996 Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, Founder President of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka
1997 Dr. Gerhard Fischer of Germany
1998 RamaKrishna Mission (India)
1999 Baba Amte (Murlidhar Devidas Amte) (India)
2000 Dr. Nelson Mandela and Grameen Bank of Bangladesh (Jointly)
2001 Dr. John Hume, Ireland
2002 Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan
2003 Mr. Vaclav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia
2004 Coretta Scott King
2005 Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South Africa
2006-2012 *Award withheld 2013 Chandi Prasad Bhatt
2014 ISRO
2015 Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari
2016 AkshayaPatra Foundation and Sulabh International [Jointly]
2017 EkalAbhiyan Trust
2018 Shri Yohei Sasakawa
2019 Qaboos bin Said Al Said