Government Announces 2015-18 Gandhi Peace Prize Winners

The Central Government has announced the Gandhi Peace Prize for the last four years on January 16, 2019. The names for the peace prize winners from the central government were announced from 2015 to 2018. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was honoured in 2014. This award is given annually however, the government has not honoured anyone with this award since 2014.

Who decided the award winners?

The winners of these awards were decided by a jury, which included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge and LK Advani.

In which field Gandhi Peace Prize is given?

The Gandhi Peace Prize is given to individuals or organization for their contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods.

Winner of Gandhi Peace Prize 2015 to 18:

1. Vivekananda Kendra(for 2015): Vivekananda Kendra from Kanyakumari, won the award for 2015 to give education and rural development.

2. Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International(For 2016): The 2016 award has been jointly shared by Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International for their work in mid-day meals and manual scavenging respectively.

3. Ekai Abhiyan Trust(For 2017): Ekai Abhiyan Trust got a Gandhi Peace prize for 2017 to its contribution to rural education and tribal children development.

4. Yohei Sasakawa(for 2018): WHO Goodwill Ambassador Yohei Sasakawa has been given to contribute to eradicating leprosy.

Important Facts about Gandhi Peace Prize:

• This award carries a cash prize of Rs one crore, a citation(प्रशस्ति पत्र ) and a handicraft item.
• The International Gandhi Peace Prize is given by the Government of India, the annual award given to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of India. As a tribute to Gandhiji’s peace principles, the Government of India started this award on his 125th birthday 1995.
• The first Gandhi Peace Prize was awarded to Tanzania’s first President Julius Nyarere in 1995.
• The second Gandhi Peace Prize was awarded to A. T. Ariyaratne in 1996 for the founder of Sarvodaya Shramadan movement.
• In 2013, this award was given to environmentalist and social worker Chandiprasad Bhatt.
• This award was jointly given to Nelson Mandela and Grameen Bank of Bangladesh in 2000.
• This annual award is given to those individuals or institutions who have achieved social, economic and political changes through non-violence and other Gandhian methods.

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