Manmohan Singh conferred Indira Gandhi peace prize, Sonia Gandhi calls him epitome of humility

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was conferred Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, for 2017 on Monday, November 19 at Jawahar Bhavan, New Delhi. He received the prize from former Chief Justice of India TS Thakur. Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee, CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi also participated in the event.

Speaking onthe occasion Sonia Gandhi called Manmohan Singh an ‘epitome of humility’. “Dr Manmohan Singh’s demeanour is such that it appears he was born wise. In his decade-long Prime Ministerial tenure, India recorded its highest economic growth rate ever. He became PM when the country was on edge and within months, his policies had a profound calming effect,” she said.

Established in 1986, the Indira Gandhi peace prize is awarded by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust annually to organisations and individuals in recognition of creative efforts towards promoting peace, development internationally using scientific discoveries for the greater good of humanity. It is also given to those securing economic co-operation and promoting a new international economic order, accelerating the advancement of developing nations and enlarging the scope of freedom and enriching the human spirit.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the UN High Commission for Refugees have also been the recipient of this award. This year, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has been awarded this prize. CSE is a Delhi-based think-tank working for and championing the cause of environment. The organisation has been selected for its success in influencing public policies and programmes that have benefitted social and economic development in India and its valuable suggestions to combat environmental deterioration.