Bharat SainiLast Updated on December 14, 2017 by Bharat Saini
Dr Manmohan Singh, Born in 1932, Former Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Governor of Reserve Bank of India will be the recipient of 2017 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, as announced by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust on the eve of Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary. This year is Indira Gandhi’s birth centenary; she was born on 19 November 1917.
The international award named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, instituted in 1986, comprises of a cash prize of ₹25 lakh and a citation, is accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust to individuals or organisations in recognition of creative 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 1st prize in 1986 was awarded to Parliamentarians for Global Action, the International Organisation of Parliamentarians. In 1987 Mikhail Gorbachev former Soviet Union Leader received this award; other previous recipients include former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel, and organisations such ISRO; and in 2015 it was awarded to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
A jury headed by former President Pranab Mukherjee came to a decision on the award in recognition of creative efforts toward promoting international peace, development and a new international economic order.
According to a statement from the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, “The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is awarded to Manmohan Singh for his leadership of the country and his achievements during the momentous 10 years from 2004 to 2014, for his contributions to the cause of economic and social development, for improving India’s stature in the world and its relationship with the neighbours and the leading nations of the world, and for his dedication to the security and well-being of ordinary citizens regardless of their faith, caste, region or language.”
Manmohan Singh had played a pivotal role as Reserve Bank of India, Governor, and Finance Minister in PV Narasimha Rao Government.
