Gita Press Receives Gandhi Peace Prize 2021

The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award that the Indian government confers on the person or an organisation/institution that brings social, political and economic transformation using non-violent and other Gandhian methods.

Gita Press, Gorakhpur, has been honoured with the Gandhi Peace Prize 2021. The award acknowledges Gita Press’ exceptional contributions to promoting social, economic, and political transformation through non-violence and Gandhian methods.

On 22nd March 2021, the Government of India announced it conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020 on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Father of Nation in Bangladesh.)  The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2019 has been given to Qaboos bin Said Al Said (Late Sultan of Oman.) 

Read about relevant facts regarding the Gandhi Peace Prize that will be useful for all the government examinations. 

Brief detail about Bangladesh’s Father of Nation and Oman’s Late Sultan can also be found out in this article. 

List of Gandhi Peace Prize Winners:-Download PDF Here

Candidates should not miss the list of important awards that remain in the current affairs. Related articles are listed down below:

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:
   1. Rs. 1 crore
   2. A citation
   3. A plaque
   4. 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. 
   1. In 2016, Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International were jointly awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize. 
   2. 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:
   1. Race
   2. Language
   3. Caste
   4. Creed
   5. Nationality
   6. Sex
5. Any organization that meets the eligibility criteria can be awarded with the Gandhi Peace Prize. 
   1. Rama Krishna Mission was given the Gandhi Peace Prize in 1998. 
   2. Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan was given the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2002.
   3. Indian Space Research Organisation was given the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2014. 
   4. Vivekananda Kendra was announced as the Gandhi Peace Prize Awardee 2015. 
   5. 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. 

Who can propose the Gandhi Peace Prize?

Jury is empowered to invite anybody to propose Gandhi Peace Prize as it may deem fit. Along with that, the following list of members have the competence to propose Gandhi Peace Prize:

1. Jury former members
2. Ex-Awardees of Gandhi Peace Prize
3. Members of Indian Parliament
4. Nobel Laureates for the last five years
5. United Nations (UN) Secretary General along with other leaders of international organizations. The purpose of such proposals is to promote peace, non-violence, emancipation of less-privileged sections of society, tolerance, social harmony, and social justice. 
6. Universities Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors
7. Heads of Indian Missions Abroad
8. Heads of Institutions that are into studies and research in non-violence, and Gandhian principles. 
9. Lok Sabha/Legislative Assemblies & Councils presiding officers.
10. Chief Ministers of states and UTs with administration, and Governors.
11. Commonwealth Secretary General
12. Commonwealth Parliamentary Union

With the recent amendment in the code of procedure based on which the award is decided, the Government of India empowered the jury to make suo-motu nomination notwithstanding anything contrary to the code. 

Gandhi Peace Prize Awardee 2021

• Gita Press, Gorakhpur, has been awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for its remarkable and unparalleled contributions to humanity’s collective upliftment.
• The institution’s publications have never relied on advertisements for revenue generation.
• Gita Press, along with its affiliated organizations, strives for the betterment and well-being of all.
• The Gandhi Peace Prize awarded to Gita Press, Gorakhpur, exemplifies its unwavering commitment to promoting peace, social harmony, and Gandhian ideals. This recognition is a testament to Gita Press’ century-long dedication to community service and its positive influence on society.

Gandhi Peace Prize Awardee 2020

The Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the Gandhi Peace Prize Winner 2020. 

Who is Sheikh Mujibur Rahman?

• He was the first President of Bangladesh. 
• He also was the second Prime minister of Bangladesh.
• He is considered to be the pioneer of Bangladesh’s independence.
• Bangladesh fondly called him Bangabandhu. 
• He was the centre figure of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. 
• He is the father of present Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 
• He is famous for his six point movement in favour of disbandment of Pakistan province. The six point plan was titled ‘Our Charter of Survival.’
• 2020-21 has been declared as the Mujib Year by Bangladesh to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibir.

India conferred the award to Sheikh Mujibir for his immense and unparalleled contribution in: 

• Inspiring the liberation of Bangladesh
• Bringing stability to a nation born out of strife
• Laying the foundation for the close and fraternal relations between India and Bangladesh, and
• Promoting peace and non-violence in the Indian subcontinent

Candidates should read about India-Bangladesh relations. 2021 marks the 50th year of diplomatic relations between the two nations. 

Gandhi Peace Prize 2019

Late Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said Al Said has been awarded with the Gandhi Peace Prize 2019. 

Who was Qaboos bin Said Al Said?

1. He was the longest-serving leader in the Middle-East and Arab World as he was the Sultan of Oman from 23rd July 1970 till 10th January 2020. 
2. After his death in January 2020, Haitham bin Tariq became the Sultan of Oman. 

In words by the Ministry of Culture, India conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize to him for, “He was a visionary leader whose twin policy of moderation and mediation in addressing international issues won him praise and respect across the globe…H.M. Sultan Qaboos was the architect of the special ties between India and Oman. He had studied in India and always maintained a special relationship with India.” 

Aspirants can learn about India-Oman Relations in the linked article. 

Gandhi Peace Prize Year-Wise [1995-2021]

The list of Gandhi Peace Prize Awardees is given in the table below:

List of Gandhi Peace Prize Winners:-Download PDF Here

The above-mentioned information can be helpful for several competitive examinations including the IAS Exam. 

UPSC Preparation: