February 01, 2002

'35'

    President, Shri K.R. Narayanan awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2001, to Mr. John Hume, the architect of Northern Ireland Peace Settlement here toady. Mr. John was awarded Rs. One crore in cash and citation in recognition his contribution to Gandhian principles.

    Congratulating to Mr. Hume, Shri Narayanan said that Gandhian imprint in Mr. Hume’s life is found not only in his crucial activities of peace process but also throughout his life. Respect for diversity on the basis of what Mr. Hume calls the "covenant of shared ideals" has become the guiding spirit in Ireland. The President added that in India different identities co-exist for centuries without according over-riding importance to one identity over another. The very idea of India is a powerful refutation of the dangerous theory of clash of civilisations and fundamentalist terrorism. Mr. Hume has set an example of peaceful and civilised existence and at the heart of this approach lies Mahatma Gandhi’s all embracing and broad-minded vision, he added.

    On the occasion, the Prime Minister said the over-riding principles of Gandhiji, for which he contributes to remain as relevant in the 21^st century as he was in 20^th century, was the insistence on the use of non-violence to achieve political or national goals. He life long mission was to transform the lives of individuals and communities thorough a non-violent endeavour.

    In his welcome address, Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Jagmohan said that Gandhi’s life was a journey of noble soul, a journey that always tended to be "upward and divine". He said, Mr. John Hume has, in his essence, been a true Gandhian. Like Gandhi, he has been a pacifist to the core, he has work relentlessly in healing the wounds of history and wiping tear from every tormented face.

    Accepting the Award, Mr. Hume said Mahatma Gandhi wanted India to avoid simply copying a paradigm on offer from the existing world power. He was very close to the poor. According to Gandhiji our political strategies must address the plight of less fortunate. His contribution to our world is tremendous. Mr. Hume said he is struck by the robustness of Indian democracy, the freedom of press and the quality of writing, the coalition of cultures, the social programmes represented by the Constitution. In all of this the legacy of Mahatma seems to play its part, he added.