(Image source from: narendramodi.in)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with prestigious Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for his contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth.
The award was presented to him by the Seoul Peace Prize Foundation at a grand ceremony in Seoul. A short film on the life and achievements of Prime Minister Modi was also screened at the event.
While conferring the award to Prime Minister Nrendra Modi, the award committee recognised his contribution to the growth of Indian and global economies, crediting 'Modinomics' for reducing social and economic disparity between the rich and the poor.
“PM Narendra Modi was conferred Seoul Peace Prize in an award ceremony organised by Seoul Peace Prize Foundation in recognition of his efforts in promoting global peace & harmony through inclusive economic growth & improving quality of life,” MEA spokesperson said.
Award dedicated to people of India.
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 22, 2019
PM @narendramodi was conferred #SeoulPeacePrize in an award ceremony organised by Seoul Peace Prize Foundation in recognition of his efforts in promoting global peace & harmony through inclusive economic growth & improving quality of life. pic.twitter.com/cOrYVQymUY
The committee also credited him for his contribution toward regional and global peace through a proactive policy with countries around the world.
Prime Minister in his acceptance speech said, “I believe that this award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India. The success that India has achieved in the last 5 years is due to aspirations, inspiration & efforts of the people of India. On their behalf, I accept the Award and express my gratitude”
“I dedicate this award to the 1.3 billion people of India for giving me the opportunity to serve them. I am honoured that this award is being conferred on me in the year that we celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi,” Modi said.
“The Seoul Peace Prize was established to commemorate the success of the 24th Summer Olympics held in Seoul in 1988. The games ended on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday. The games showcased the best of Korean culture, warmth of Korean hospitality & success of the Korean economy,” he said.
Modi said, “a few weeks before the Seoul Olympics, an organization called Al-Qaeda was formed. Today, radicalization and terrorism have become globalized and are the biggest threats to global peace and security.
He further mentioned India’s growth story and country’s achievements
“India’s growth story is not only good for the people of India but also for the entire world. We live in an increasingly interconnected world. Our growth and prosperity will inevitably contribute to global growth and development.
India, as a responsible member of the international community, has been in the forefront of our collective fight against climate change. Despite having a historically low carbon footprint, India has been playing an active role in the global fight against climate change”
Like Korea, India has also suffered the pain of division and cross-border strife. Our endeavour towards peaceful development has only too often been derailed by cross-border terrorism
The time has come for all right-thinking nations to join hands to completely eradicate terrorist networks. Only by doing so, Can we replace hate with harmony; Destruction with development & Transform the landscape of violence and vendetta into a postcard for peace
He said, “I would like to end by quoting a portion of the 1988 Olympics Theme Song, because it perfectly captures the hopeful spirit for a better tomorrow for all of us: Hand in hand, we stand All across the land, We can make this world, A better place in which to live
PM Modi is the 14th recipient of the award.
The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul. The award was established to crystalise Korean people's yearning for peace on the Korean peninsula and in the rest of the world.
-Sai Kumar
