Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

Why in news?

Michelle Bachelet, the first and only woman to serve as President of Chile and a former Chief of the UN Human Rights, receives the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for 2024.

• Indira Gandhi Peace Prize – It is awarded annually and named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
  • To commemorate her outstanding contribution to national and global well-being and to promote the causes which she espoused, in 1985.
  • Also known as the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.
• Purpose – To honor individuals/organizations for outstanding contributions to peace, disarmament, and development.
• Established in – 1986.
• Awarded by – Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
• Prize – It includes a trophy with a citation and cash prize of Rs.10 million or its equivalent in a foreign exchange.
  • Trophy – It is a square piece of banded Haematite Jasper, the same stone which is used at the samadhi of Indira Gandhi.

Haematite Jasper - one of the hardest varieties of stone found in India and is estimated to be 2000 million years old.

• Past Recipients – Mikhail Gorbachev (1987), UNHCR (1998), Angela Merkel (2013), WHO (2021), etc.
• Michelle Bachelet (2024 awardee)
  • She was 1^st woman of President of Chile  (2006-2010 and 2014-2018), symbolizing progress in gender equality.
  • As UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2018–2022), she spoke against abuses worldwide, including in Myanmar, Xinjiang (China), and Ukraine.
  • In Chile, she expanded social protection, improved healthcare, and promoted education reforms.
  • As a part of global peace efforts, she advocated for nuclear disarmament and strengthening multilateral institutions.

To know more about the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, Click here

References

1. Indian Express | Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, 2024
2. IGMT | Indira Gandhi Peace Prize