NEW DELHI, Nov 22:
President Pranab Mukherjee today conferred the Indira Gandhi Prize for peace, disarmament and development upon former Brazil president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, an offical spokesman said.
Speaking after giving the prize to the former Brazillian president, at a function organised in Rashtrapati Bhavan and attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson and the chairperson of the Indira Gandhi memorial trust Sonia Gandhi, Mr Mukherjee described the former President of Brazil as an outstanding champion of the developing world.
He stated that during Mr Lula’s presidency, relations between India and Brazil steadily progressed and the seeds were sown of a close partnership in India, Brazil, South Africa and Brazil (IBSA), Russia, India and China (BRIC) and G-20 summits.
The President said this prestigious award celebrates the legacy of late Ms Indira Gandhi as an untiring crusader for global peace, universal disarmament and a new international economic order.
He said Ms Indira Gandhi would be remembered for her untiring efforts at maintaining cohesion, unity and enhanced economic co-operation among developing nations.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister described Mr Lula as a man of indomitable spirit.
“Much like the person whose memory this prize celebrates, Mr Lula is himself is a man of indomitable spirit. This is reflected in his present visit, which he has undertaken after overcoming great personal adversity,” the Prime Minister said.
Dr Singh said like former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, President Lula’s life too epitomised the endless possibilities for human achievement that come with character, conviction and commitment.
“He rose from difficult circumstances to be elected as the President of a great nation and to become one of his country’s most beloved leaders and a statesman of global stature. It was under his stewardship that Brazil embarked on the path to becoming a stronger, more prosperous, more equitable and internationally respected nation,” he said.
“The country achieved a remarkable economic transformation, based on rapid growth and inclusive development brought about by Mr Lula’s innovative policies, which helped Brazil eliminate extreme poverty, substantially reduce hunger and promote social inclusion,” Dr Singh said. Describing Mr Lula as the world’s most recognisable and respected personalities today, the Prime Minister said,”His is an important voice on issues crucial for developing countries and emerging economies, including an open and equitable international trading system, a sustainable world, the welfare of the poor and human rights and democracy.”
He said the conferment of this prize in recognition of Mr Lula’s many achievements also reminded one of the great qualities of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
“Ms Indira Gandhi led India with admirable vision and courage through some forbidding challenges in the fields of security and development. While she was a fierce guardian of India’s unity and integrity, she was equally an ardent advocate of the well-being of the least privileged sections of society,” Dr Singh said.
“Her words and her deeds reflected her abiding concern for the poor and the underprivileged and she championed their cause with a rare intensity. She was often ahead of her times in seeking a peaceful world, a just international order, equitable development and sustainable progress,” Dr Singh said.
The prize has been awarded to the former Brazillian President for his outstanding contribution to the cause of eliminating hunger and promoting inclusive growth in Brazil, for his advocacy of stronger ties among the developing economies and for his signal contribution to the cause of the India-Brazil partnership.
The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is awarded annually to a person or organisation without any distinction of nationality, race or religion, in recognition of creative efforts towards enlarging the scope of freedom and enriching the human spirit.
It consists of an award of Rs 2.5 million and a trophy with a citation. (UNI)
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