The prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021 was announced on Sunday. Geeta Press of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh has received this prestigious award. The officials of the Central Culture Department have given information about this. A jury led by PM Narendra Modi on 18 June 2023 unanimously decided to select Geeta Press, Gorakhpur, for the Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 in recognition of its outstanding contribution to social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and Gandhian methods.
Prime Minister Modi recalled the contribution of Gita Press in promoting the Gandhian ideals of peace and social harmony. He observed that the conferment of the Gandhi Peace Prize on Gita Press, on completion of hundred years of its establishment, is a recognition of the work done by the institution in community service, the statement said.
World’s largest publishing house
Founded in 1923, Gita Press is one of the largest publishing houses in the world. It has published 41.7 crore books in 14 languages including 16.21 crore Srimad Bhagavad Gita. The organization has never relied on advertising for revenue generation. Geeta Press along with its affiliates, strives for better life and well being of all.
The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by the government in 1995, on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as a tribute to the ideals espoused by Mahatma Gandhi.
The award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or gender. The award carries an amount of Rs 1 crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item, the ministry said.