The jury for Gandhi Peace Prize has decided to confer the award for the year 2020 on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

For the year 2019, the jury selected late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman in recognition of his vision to strengthen relations with India, and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence in the Gulf region.

Gandhi Peace Prize

• The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by the government of India in 1995, the 125th birth anniversary commemoration year of Mahatma Gandhi.

• The Prize is for social, economic and political transformation through non-violence.

• The award is open to all people regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or sex.

• The jury for Gandhi Peace Prize is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprises two ex-officio members, namely the Chief Justice of India and leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.

• Two eminent members are also part of the jury — Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation.

• The award carries an amount of Rs 1 crore, a citation, plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.

• The jury met on March 19, 2021 and after due deliberations, unanimously decided to select Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — Bangladesh’s Father of The Nation and Oman’s longtime ruler Sultan Qaboos for the Prize.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

According to the ministry of culture, the Gandhi Peace Prize recognises the immense and unparalleled contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 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.

PM Modi has said that Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, and is a hero to Indians as well. He also said that the legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted, and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade.

As Bangladesh celebrates Mujib Borsho, India commemorates his legacy jointly with the government of Bangladesh and its people.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said

Gandhi Peace Prize recognises the unparalleled vision and leadership of late Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in strengthening relations between India and Oman, and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence in the Gulf region.

According to the ministry, Sultan Qaboos was a visionary leader whose twin policy of moderation and mediation in addressing international issues won him praise and respect across the globe. 

He played an important role in supporting peace efforts in various regional disputes and conflicts. 

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. 

Under his leadership, India and Oman became strategic partners and our mutually beneficial, comprehensive partnership strengthened and scaled newer heights.

Previous awardees of the Gandhi Peace Prize

• 1995 - Julius K. Nyerere, former president of Tanzania

• 1996 - A.T. Ariyaratne, founder president of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka

• 1997 - Gerhard Fischer of Germany

• 1998 - Rama Krishna Mission, India

• 1999 - Murlidhar Devidas Amte (Baba Amte), India

• 2000 - Nelson Mandela and Grameen Bank of Bangladesh (jointly)

• 2001 - John Hume, Ireland

• 2002 - Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan

• 2003 - Vaclav Havel, former president of Czechoslovakia

• 2005 - Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South Africa

• 2013 - Chandi Prasad Bhatt, India

• 2014 - Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

• 2015 - Vivekananda Kendra, India

• 2016 - Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International (jointly)

• 2017 - Ekal Abhiyan Trust, India

• 2018 - Yohei Sasakawa, Japan.

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