President Ram Nath Kovind today conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan. For 2015, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari was given the award for its contribution in Rural Development, Education and Development of natural resources.
For 2016, the award was presented jointly to Akshaya Patra Foundation for its contribution in providing mid-day meals to millions of children across India and Sulabh International for its contribution in improving the condition of sanitation in India and emancipation of manual scavengers.
Ekal Abhiyan Trust was conferred the award for 2017 for its contribution in providing Education for Rural and Tribal Children in remote areas pan India, Rural Empowerment, Gender and Social Equality.
For 2018, Japan’s Yohei Sasakawa was given the prize for his contribution in Leprosy Eradication in India and across the world.
The award, comprises of a cash award of one crore rupees, a citation in a scroll, a plaque and a traditional handicraft item.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those present at the award ceremony.
Instituted in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the annual award is given to individuals and institutions for their contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the winners of the Gandhi Peace Prize. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, the prize is being conferred at a time when India marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He said, the freedom struggle became a mass movement due to the visionary efforts of the father of the nation, adding that Bapu merged the streams of Jan Bhagidari and Jan Andolan. The Prime Minister said, the Mahatma instilled a spirit in every person that they are doing something for India’s freedom.