Archbishop Tutu awarded Gandhi Peace Prize

South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who played a key role in the fight against apartheid in his country, has been awarded the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2005.

The award, carrying Rs. 1 crore (about US $ 2,23000) and a citation, was conferred by the President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam at a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan on January 31.

Archbishop Tutu, a South African cleric and activist, was the first black person to lead the Anglican Church in South Africa when he became the first black general secretary of the South African Council of Churches in 1978. This position provided a national platform to Archbishop Tutu for denouncing the apartheid system as "evil and unchristian" as he called for equal rights for all South Africans and a system of common education.

In his unifying role as a leader, he also demanded the repeal of the oppressive passport laws and an end to forced relocation, rising to worldwide fame as an opponent of apartheid. He consistently worked for reconciliation among all parties involved in apartheid through his writings and lectures at home and abroad.

For his role as a leading figure in the campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 1984.

After the fall of apartheid, Archbishop Tutu headed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for which he was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize in 1999.

He has also strongly advocated human rights and democracy in Palestine and Indonesia. His championship of democratic rights and criticism of human rights abuse has been consistent and a great moral support to the oppressed everywhere.

"I am sure that the life, work and action of Archbishop Desmond Tutu will remain an inspiration not only for the people of Africa but also people of other nations who are fighting for their genuine rights," said Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam, speaking on the occasion.

"Archbishop Tutu is a living Gandhian because there has been no greater example of the practice of Gandhiji's principles than the reconciliation effort in post–apartheid South Africa," said Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, honouring him. "He wanted the end of British rule in India. He wanted the end of the British Empire. He wanted the end of colonialism. Yet he sought friendship with the people of Britain. It is the same sentiment that Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his comrade–in–arms Nelson Mandela espoused through the institution of the Truth and Reconciliation Council. They fought for the end of apartheid. But they also fought to live in peace with all races, all religions and all communities. There is no better example of Gandhism than this."

"India and South Africa are nations that are separated by an ocean but have been united by history. We have had the good fortune of being home to the inspirational work of men like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Tutu. It is not just history and geography that bring India and South Africa together but also our shared vision of the world today, and the world of tomorrow. India and South Africa are partners in progress. We are both multi–cultural, multi–racial, multi–lingual, multi–religious democracies. Our experience and our example will show the way to the world in dealing with the challenges of the 21st century," he continued.

"I have often said that we in India reject the idea of 'clash of civilizations' because we have been home to the 'confluence of civilizations.' Post–apartheid South Africa has also been home to the confluence of civilizations. Together we can show the world that it is possible for all men and women to live in peace. This requires an adherence to truth and a commitment to reconciliation. This requires the practice of the values Gandhiji espoused. We sincerely hope Archbishop Tutu will continue to spread the light of reason and tolerance and bring peace to the world. I take this opportunity to salute the people of South Africa and their great leaders Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Tutu. I do feel proud to share this platform with a great son of Africa and a man of peace, Archbishop Tutu," the Prime Minister concluded.

UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi and other distinguished guests including several Cabinet ministers were present on the occasion.

"The 2005 Gandhi Peace Prize is being awarded to Nobel Laureate and Human Rights Activist Archishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu, in recognition of his invaluable contribution towards social and political transformation and forging equality in South Africa through dialogue and tolerance. He has been a tireless and staunch exponent of Mahatma Gandhi's methodology of non–violent action," the citation read.

"By honouring this noble human being with the Gandhi Peace Prize in this historic year of the centenary of the birth of Satyagraha, India acknowledges her debt to South Africa for helping a young lawyer find his moorings and take him to the heights of becoming a Mahatma – a great soul. Like Mahatma Gandhi, Archbishop Tutu, too, became the 'voice of the voiceless,'" it said.

"Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a rare person who has kept the faith in the efficacy of Truth and Non–Violence alive and inspired hope that in these testing times mankind's salvation lies in the application of the power of Satyagraha," it added.

Past recipients of the Gandhi Peace included Julius Nyerere, former President of Tanzania (1995), Mr. A.T. Ariyaratne, founder of Sarvodaya Movement in Sri Lanka (1996), former German Chancellor, Mr. Gerhard Fischer (1997), Ramakrishna Mission (India) (1998), environmentalist Mr. Baba Amte (Shri Murlidhar Devidas Amte) (1999), former South African President, Mr. Nelson Mandela (2000), Grameen Bank of Bangladesh (2001), Mr. John Hume (Ireland) (2002), Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan (2003), and Mr. Vaclav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia (2004).

The government of India first awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The award is given for outstanding work and contribution to social, economic and political transformation through non–violence and other Gandhian methods.

The jury for selection of the awardee from amongst nominees comprises five members – the Prime Minister of India (chairman), the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament), the Chief Justice of India and two other eminent persons.

Presently, R. Venkataraman, former President of India, and I.K. Gujral, former Prime Minister, are the two members of the jury in this category.