Gandhi Peace Prize for Mujibur Rahman, late Sultan of Oman

New Delhi, March 22

The government on Monday announced to confer the 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 Gandhi Peace Prize jury chaired by PM 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 that the prizes are being awarded posthumously.

The announcements came ahead of the PM’s visit to Bangladesh on March 26 for Bangladesh National Day celebrations and mark Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibir Rahman, 50 years of the war of the Bangladesh liberation and 50 years of diplomatic engagement between India and Bangladesh. The award comprises Rs 1 crore, a citation and a plaque. — TNS