Gandhi Peace prize for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, late Sultan of Oman

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 22

The government on Monday announced a decision to confer the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Bangladesh and 2019 edition of the award on the late Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said Al Said.

The jury for the Gandhi Peace Prize chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on March 19 and unanimously decided to select Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said as the recipients “in recognition of their outstanding contributions for social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods”.

This is the first time since inception in 1995 (the 125th birth anniversary commemoration year of Mahatma Gandhi) that the prizes are being awarded posthumously.

The announcements came ahead of Prime Minister’s visit to Bangladesh on March 26 to participate in the Bangladesh National Day celebrations and mark Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibir Rahman, fifty years of the war of the Bangladesh liberation and 50 years of diplomatic engagement between India and Bangladesh.

“PM Modi said Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom and a hero to Indians as well. He said the legacy of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted and the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade,” said the Culture Ministry noting that as Bangladesh celebrates Mujib Borsho, India was honoured to commemorate his legacy jointly with the Government of Bangladesh and its people.

“The Prize recognizes the 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 fraternal relations between India and Bangladesh and promoting non-violence in the Indian subcontinent,” said India which also honoured the longest serving monarch in the Middle East the late Sultan of Oman.

The PM recalled the contributions of Sultan Qaboos to India-Oman ties and said, “He was a true friend of India and provided strong leadership for developing a strategic partnership between India and Oman. He was a visionary leader, a statesman and a beacon of peace for our region and the world.”

The award carries an amount of Rs 1 crore, a citation and a plaque.

The Jury comprised Chief Justice of India, Leader of the single largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak.

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