ISRO Conferred the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development
ISRO Conferred the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development
Domestic Indian space agency ISRO has been awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for this year in recognition of its contribution in boosting international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space. The announcement regarding the award was made by the award jury chaired by Vice President Hamid Ansari on 19th November, 2014.
“The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is awarded to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in recognition of its path-breaking achievement, culminating in the Mars orbiter mission, its significant contribution in strengthening international cooperation in peaceful use of outer space,” an official statement said.
The jury also noted the important role played by ISRO in the application of advanced technologies in promotion of broad based and sustainable socio-economic development, besides meeting the basic needs of people in remote as well as rural parts of the country.
The official statement also noted “ISRO has shown how Indian scientists and talents can be harnessed to international level, catching up with more advanced nations in a highly technical and sophisticated field,” according to media reports.
“It has shown how true self-reliance is, often working in adverse circumstances when it was denied adequate access to the latest research and development elsewhere,” the statement added.
“ISRO has demonstrated that in space technology, India stands shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world,” the official statement also added.
About Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development
The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is a prestigious award that is conferred annually by India towards individuals or organisations for promoting international peace, development and a new order based on the good of humankind. The prize also rewards scientific discoveries that can benefit mankind and promote freedom of spirit and thought.
The prize carried a cash award of INR 2.5 million and a citation. The panel is constituted by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust which comprises the prominent national and international personalities which include earlier recipients of the award. Former winners of this award since its inception include:
1986: Parliamentarians for Global Action (Established in 1978)
1987: Mikhail Gorbachov (born 1931, former leader of the Soviet Union)
1988: Gro Harlem Brundtland (born 1939, Former PM of Norway)
1989: UNICEF
1990: Sam Nujoma (born 1929, First President of Namibia)
1991: Rajiv Gandhi (1944-1991, Former PM of India)
1992: Saburo Okita (1914-1993, Japanese economist)
1993: Václav Havel(1936 – 2011,First President of the Czech Republic)
1994: Trevor Huddleston (1913-1998, UK, Anti-apartheid activist)
1995: Olusegun Obasanjo(born 1937, 12th President of Nigeria)
1996: Médecins Sans Frontières(Established 1971, France)
1997: Jimmy Carter(born 1924, 39th President of the United States)
1998: Muhammad Yunus (born 1940) Founder of Grameen Bank
1999: M S Swaminathan(born 1925)Indian Agricultural Scientist and Noted Expert
2000: Mary Robinson (born 1944), 7th President of Ireland
2001: Sadako Ogata(born 1927) Former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
2002: Shridath Ramphal(born 1928) 2nd Commonwealth Secretary-General
2003: Kofi Annan(born 1938) 7th United Nations Secretary General
2004: Maha Chakri Sirindhorn(born 1955)Princess of Thailand
2005: Hamid Karza(born 1957)12th President of Afghanistan
2006: Wangari Maathai(1940 - 2011)Environmental and Political activist
2007: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation(establishd 1994)
2008: Mohamed ElBaradei(born 1942) 4th Director General of the IAEA
2009: Sheikh Hasina(born 1947) Prime Minister of Bangladesh
2010: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva(born 1945) Ex-President of Brazil
2011: Ela Bhatt(born 1933)Founder of SEWA
2012: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf(born 1938)President of Liberia
2013: Angela Merkel(born 1954)Chancellor of Germany
