INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE FOR PEACE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, music conductor Daniel Barenboim and peace activist Ali Abu Awwad were jointly awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development for 2023.

Key Points

• Barenboim and Awwad, whose work focuses on the use of non-violent tools of music, dialogue and peoples’ participation, were chosen by an international jury chaired by former chief justice of India.
• For his humanitarian efforts in cultural education and integration, Barenboim was awarded several accolades, including Germany’s Great Cross of Merit, Spain’s Prince of Asturias Award, and France’s Commander of the Legion of Honour.
• In 2014, Awwad co-founded a Palestinian-lsraeli initiative called Roots to promote understanding, nonviolence and transformation.

Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace

• About: The prestigious award, known as the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, is named after the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• Annual Conferment: Since 1986, it has been conferred annually by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
• Recognition of Creative Efforts: This prize also recognized as the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development, is bestowed by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust to honor individuals or organizations. 
• Promotion of International Peace: The award acknowledges endeavors that contribute to the promotion of international peace, ensuring that scientific discoveries are utilized for the greater good of humanity, and expanding the scope of freedom.
• Prize: Recipients of the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize are honored with a substantial cash award of 2.5 million Indian rupees along with a citation.
• First Prize was Awarded: Parliamentarians for Global Action in 1986.
• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace 2022: Indian Medical Association and the Trained Nurses Association of India.