Gandhi Peace Prize for 2019 and 2020

In news : Ministry of Culture announced the Gandhi Peace prize for the year 2019 and 2020  

Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020-Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh

• Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a champion of human rights and freedom, and a hero to Indians as well. Year 2020 marked the birth centenary of Bangabandhu

Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2019-Late Sultan Qaboos of Oman

• Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman, in recognition of his vision to strengthen relations with India, and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence in the Gulf region
• The late Sultan Qaboos, the longest-serving leader in the Middle East and Arab world at the time of his death in 2020, received the prize, in  recognition of his outstanding contributions for social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods
• He had studied in India and always maintained a special relationship with India. Under his leadership, India and Oman became strategic partners

About Gandhi Peace Prize 

• It is an annual award instituted by the government of India since 1995, the 125th birth anniversary commemoration year of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award given to individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. 
• Eligibility for the award:  The award is open to all people regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or sex. An association, institution or organization shall also be eligible for the awatd
• Cash prize: The award carries an amount of Rs 1 crore, a citation, plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.
• Ministry: Ministry of Culture

Composition of its Jury: 

• The jury for this award is chaired by the Prime Minister of India and it also comprises two ex-officio members, namely the chief justice of India and leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
• Two eminent members are also part of the jury they are, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and   Founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation.