New Delhi, Jan 16 (UNI) The Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari was on Wednesday chosen for the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2015, while Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International were chosen as joint winners for 2016 and Ekal Abhiyan Trust have been chosen for the Gandhi Peace prize for 2017, a statement from the Ministry of Culture said.
Mr Yohei Sasakawa has been conferred the Gandhi Peace prize for 2018, for his contribution in Leprosy Eradication in India and across the world.
The jury, under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Leader of the single largest Opposition Party in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge and Member of Parliament LK Advani, after detailed discussions on January 16, unanimously decided to select the above organisations/persons, in recognition to their outstanding contributions in the fields mentioned above.
Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari have been conferred the Gandhi Peace prize for 2015 for their contribution in Rural Development, Education, Development of Natural Resources.
The award for 2016 has been jointly given to Akshaya Patra Foundation for its contribution in providing mid-day meals to millions of children across India and Sulabh International for its contribution in improving the condition of sanitation in India and emancipation of manual scavengers.
The prize for 2017 has been conferred on Ekal Abhiyan Trust for their contribution in providing Education for Rural and Tribal Children in remote areas pan India, Rural Empowerment, Gender and Social Equality.
Mr Yohei Sasakawa has been conferred the gandhi Peace Prize for 2018, for his contribution in Leprosy Eradication in India and across the world.
The annual award was instituted by the Government in 1995 during the commemoration of 125th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The award carries an amount of Rs one crore, a Citation in a scroll, a plaque as well as an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.