Unpacking the Significance of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding
The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding is an annual award given to individuals or institutions for their contribution to the promotion of international understanding, goodwill, and friendship among people of different nations. The award was established in 1965, and since then, it has been conferred on distinguished individuals and organizations from various fields, including science, culture, arts, and politics.
History and Background of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award
The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding was introduced by the Government of India in honor of the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who was a prominent champion of world peace and international cooperation. The award aims to recognize and promote the ideals that Nehru stood for, such as secularism, democracy, and social justice.
Initially, the award was given only to individuals, but later, in 1998, it was extended to institutions as well. The award consists of a citation, a trophy, and a cash prize of US $100,000.
Criteria for Selection
The selection of the recipient of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award is based on several criteria. The award is given to individuals or institutions who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of international understanding and goodwill. The contributions can be in any field, such as politics, diplomacy, science, art, literature, or culture.
The award also recognizes the recipient’s efforts to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and other nations. The recipient should have worked towards the promotion of universal values such as peace, non-violence, equality, and justice.
Award Winners
Over the years, the Jawaharlal Nehru Award has been conferred on many distinguished individuals and institutions from all over the world. Some of the notable recipients include Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere, Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain, Richard Attenborough, and Amartya Sen.
The award has also been given to several international organizations, such as the International Red Cross, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Gandhi Peace Prize Foundation.
Conclusion
The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding is a prestigious award that recognizes the efforts of individuals and institutions towards the promotion of international understanding, goodwill, and friendship. The award is a reflection of India’s commitment to world peace and cooperation and reinforces the message of universal values such as peace, non-violence, equality, and justice.
The award has been conferred on many distinguished personalities and organizations, and their contributions have helped in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and other nations. The Jawaharlal Nehru Award remains a symbol of India’s aspiration for a better world, and it continues to inspire individuals and institutions to work towards the promotion of international understanding and goodwill.
