by Elton Gomes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won the Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for his contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA’s) issued a statement on Wednesday, saying that PM Modi expressed his gratitude for the prestigious honour. In light of India’s deepening partnership with the Republic of Korea, he has accepted the award.
As per MEA’s statement, PM Modi was recognised for “his dedication to improving international cooperation, raising global economic growth, accelerating the Human Development of the people of India by fostering economic growth in the world’s fastest growing large economy and furthering the development of democracy through anti-corruption and social integration efforts.”
The statement further said that Modi’s anti-corruption measures and demonetization were lauded. “The Committee lauded PM’s initiatives to make the government cleaner through anti-corruption measures and demonetization. The Committee also credited Prime Minister for his contribution towards regional and global peace through a proactive foreign policy with countries around the world under the ‘Modi Doctrine’ and the ‘Act East Policy,'” the statement said.
Expressing sincere thanks to the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation, PM Modi said, “I most humbly accept the Award on behalf of all my Indian brothers & sisters.”
Sincerely thank the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation for the great honour. I most humbly accept the Award on behalf of all my Indian brothers & sisters. This is a recognition of New India’s contribution to the well-being, progress, prosperity & peace of the whole humankind.
Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 24, 2018
“The world acknowledges. PM Narendra Modi awarded prestigious Seoul Peace Prize 2018 for contribution to high economic growth in India and world through ‘Modinomics’, contribution to world peace, improving human development and furthering democracy in India,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet. The MEA also said the award will be presented to Modi at a mutually convenient time.
Established in 1990, the Seoul Peace Prize is awarded every two years to individuals who have contributed significantly to the harmony of mankind, reconciliation between nations, and to world peace.
PM Modi is the 14th recipient of the award. Past awardees include former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and international relief organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam.
How is the Seoul Prize winner selected, and what do they get
The Seoul Peace Prize was initially established to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The Peace Prize committee includes more than 1,300 nominators, including internationally renowned Korean and foreign figures from political, economic, social, cultural, athletic, academic, and other spheres.
Nominations for the prize begin in November. The nominators have to return the forms after filling in the name of their candidates and their achievements three months before the advised date. Members of the committee have to exercise their vote to select the final winner. The recipient receives a diploma, a plaque, and an honorarium of $200,000. The two-page certificate has the emblem of the Seoul Peace Prize printed on the left side.
Modi, Macron received UN’s top honour
Earlier in October, PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were jointly awarded the UN’s highest environmental honour — the UNEP Champions of the Earth award. The two leaders were awarded for their path-breaking work in championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of cooperation on environmental action.
“In PM Narendra Modi, we have a leader who realises the issue of climate change and understands the benefits of climate action. He knows the problems and also works to solve them,” UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres said at the award handing ceremony in New Delhi, as per a report in India Today.
Elton Gomes is a staff writer at Qrius