January 2013

Liberian President and Nobel laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on 19 November 2012 was chosen for 2012 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for being an inspiration to women and ensuring return of peace and democracy in her country. The award is set up by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust with an international jury chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Indira Gandhi Prize is being awarded to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for serving as an example and inspiration to women in Africa and beyond and for ensuring the return of peace, democracy, development, security and order in Liberia. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who is the 24th President of Liberia was commended by the jury for her strong interest in the consolidation and improvement of Liberia’s relations with India. She was risen to the Presidency becoming the first elected female head of state of the African continent. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took over office as the President of Liberia in 2006 acquiring a legacy of distrust, disharmony and mismanagement. She had successfully restored financial health her country which was on the verge of fiscal breakdown.

About Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize is the prominent award given annually by the Government of India to individuals or organizations in acknowledgment to resourceful efforts toward promoting international peace, development and a new international economic order; ensuring that scientific discoveries are used for the larger good of humanity, and enlarging the scope of freedom. The prize carries a cash award of 25 lakh Indian rupees and a citation. To be eligible for consideration it is mandatory to have a written work published. The 2011 recipient of Indira Gandhi Peace Prize was Ela Bhatt the Founder ofSewa, Self-Employed Women’s Association of India.

Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development

The former President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was awarded with Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development on 22 November 2012 at Rashtrapati Bhavan by President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. Lula was conferred with the award for his contribution towards elimination of hunger. He has also brought inclusive growth in his country. He was awarded for advocating stronger ties among the developing economies as well as for the signal contribution for India-Brazil partnership.

About Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was appointed as the president of Brazil on 1 January 2003. Lula, the former President of the Federative Republic of Brazil is the transformative figure of the country. He contributed towards the cause of India-Brazil better relationship and partnership. Lula received number of medals, awards and recognition. He had received awards and medals like Brazilian Order of Merit, Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle, Naval and Aeronautical Merit, Norwegian Order of Royal Merit and many more. Lula is the most renowned Brazilian President. In 2006, President A.P.J Abdul Kalam conferred him with Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding. Lula left the office on 1 January 2011 after serving two terms as the president.

About the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development. Every year, Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is awarded to person or an organisation that works towards enlargement of scope of freedom as well as enrichment of human spirit. The award is conferred upon the person or an organisation irrespective of race, religion, nationality or other aspects. It consist of award worth 2.5 million Rupees as well as trophy alongwith citation.

Malala Yousafzai awarded with Bravery Award by World Peace and Prosperity Foundation

Malala Yousafzai, on 19 November 2012 awarded by World Peace and Prosperity Foundation for her bravery and commitment to education for girls in adverse conditions in Swat, Pakistan. She was shot in the head by Taliban, and had become the face of Pakistan’s struggle against the Taliban. She is now being treated and on the road to recovery at a Queen Elizabeth Hospital, England.

The Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, S Zulfiqar Gardezi received the award on her behalf at the Cholmondeley Room of the House of Lords. The other recipients of award included a Bishop of London, a distinguished British Muslim Psychiatrist, a distinguished Turkish academic and MP, and eight year old Josh Altman, European Chess Bronze medalist. On 9 October 2012 Malala Yousafzai, was shot in the head and neck by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) while she was returning home. She was attacked for speaking up against the Taliban and advocating girls’ education.

Earlier, United Nations declared November 10 as Malala Day in honour Malala Yousafzai, for advocating girls’ education.

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