Daniel Barenboim, Ali Abu Awwad Conferred Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2023
New Delhi, November 19: Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2023 was today conferred on Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad, two crusaders of peace, who have dedicated their lives to promoting amity among the Israeli and Palestinian people, through non-violent tools of music, dialogue and peoples’ participation.
The awardees were selected by a distinguished jury headed by former Chief Justice of India, T. S. Thakur.
Maestro Daniel Barenboim is an Argentine-born distinguished classical pianist and conductor, renowned for performing with and directing some of the leading orchestras in the world. Apart from his musical achievements, he is also known for his relentless endeavour in using music to foster harmony in West Asia.
Ali Abu Awwad is an eminent Palestinian peace activist who has been working tirelessly with the people of Palestine and Israel for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Abu Awwad was born in 1972 and raised in a politically active refugee family. Unable to meet each other while in prison for 3 years, Ali and his mother undertook a 17-day hunger strike, which resulted in achieving permission for a visit. This success was a watershed moment in Abu Awwad’s realisation that nonviolent action along Gandhian principles could be the way forward for achieving one’s goals of freedom and dignity.
The ceremony, conducted virtually, was attended by Chairperson of Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust Sonia Gandhi, former Vice President of India M Hamid Ansari, current head of the jury and former NSA Shivshankar Menon, Justice T. S. Thakur, Mariam C. Said, who accepted the award on behalf of Daniel Barenboim, and others.
Shivshankar Menon gave the welcome address and Hamid Ansari conferred the award.
In his acceptance speech, Ali Abu Awwad said that he learnt about the power of non-violence when he was in prison. He added that he has read a lot about Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru and they inspire him. He further stated that he learnt through them that what makes us human is our ability to recognise each other and protect each other.
