NEW DELHI: International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohammad El-Baradei credited for “his impassioned opposition to the use of nuclear energy for military purposes and his steadfast espousal of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, sustained over many years,” was chosen for the 2008 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.
The decision, taken recently by international jury at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was announced yesterday on the 91st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
A statement from Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, which gives away the prize, hailed Baradei for being “outspoken on nuclear proliferation and international security issues.”
“He has led the IAEA in carving out an independent approach free from bias and reflective of a wider balanced perspective in tune with today’s world,” it said.
The decision to confer him the prize is also viewed as India’s acknowledgement of Baradei having played an important role in clinching the safeguards agreement with IAEA, needed for New Delhi’s re-entry in international nuclear commerce. Baradei has held his office at IAEA since 1997. He was reappointed for a third term in September in 2005.
Paying homage to Indira, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Singh and other leaders presented floral tributes at her memorial, named “Shakti Sthal.” Singh also released tricolor balloons, while noted artiste Abhay Rustom Sopori played the musical instrument santoor.
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil administered the National Integration Pledge to officers and staff of the Home Ministry in connection with the Qaumi Ekta (National Unity) week which began yesterday. The week is observed every year, from Nov. 19 to 25 to “foster the spirit of patriotism, communal harmony and national integration,” an official release said.
