The Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation of Maharashtra in western India has awarded its 10th International Gandhi Award to Mr Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation and the World Health Organization's Goodwill Ambassador for the Elimination of Leprosy.

At the award ceremony, Indian Vice-President Shri Bairon Singh Shekhawat handed a certificate to Sasakawa. The Vice-President mentioned that one of today's greatest challenges is the reintegration of persons affected by leprosy back into society and ensuring that they are not subjected to discrimination. He also stressed the importance of educating the children of persons affected by leprosy.

Background to the International Gandhi Award

To commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's service to persons affected by leprosy and his scientific approach to leprosy, the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation instituted this award to recognise individuals or organisations which are making an outstanding contribution in the leprosy field resulting in an improvement to the lives of those affected by leprosy. The first award was made in 1986.

Recipients of the International Gandhi Award

• 1986, Dr Dharmendra, India and Dr Turkan Saylan, Turkey
• 1988, Dr Ma Hei De, China and Professor T N Jagadisan, India
• 1990, D R V Wardekar, India and Dr M F Lechat, Belgium
• 1992, Dato E J Lawrence, Kuala Lumpar and Late Cardinal P E Léger
• 1994, Dr Joon Lew, South Korea and Dr V Ekambaram, India
• 1996, Ms Jean Watson, UK and Dr S K Noordeen, India
• 1998, Mrs Mathilde Gruner, Germany and Dr S D Gokhale, India
• 2000, All Africa Leprosy and Tuberculosis Rehabilitation Training Centre (ALERT), Ethiopia and Dr K V Desikan, India
• 2003, Dr H Srinivasan, India
• 2006, Mr Yohei Sasakawa, Japan  

 

 

Category: News and Notes