Mexico City, Mexico: In honor of the 106th birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela, the prestigious Gandhi Mandela Award 2020 was conferred upon 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum on 18th July 2024 at a grand ceremony in Mexico City, Mexico. The award was presented in the presence of GMF Secretary General Shri Nandan Kumar Jha, Dr. Manuel Granados Covarrubias, National GMF President of Mexico and Executive President of Grupo por un País Mejor and CEO of Pharmacy Similar, and Victor González Torres “Dr. Simi,” a renowned politician and businessman. This prestigious accolade, dedicated to global peacekeeping and promotion efforts, was first awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2019.
The Gandhi Mandela Foundation conferred 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum with the prestigious Gandhi Mandela Award 2020 on 18th July 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. This event, commemorating the 106th Birth Anniversary of Nelson Mandela, was led by Adv. Nandan… pic.twitter.com/jChLb8ZNEs
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) July 19, 2024
Rigoberta Menchú Tum: A Lifelong Advocate for Indigenous Rights
Rigoberta Menchú Tum, a K’iche’ Guatemalan human rights activist, feminist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has devoted her life to advocating for the rights of Guatemala’s Indigenous peoples and promoting Indigenous rights internationally. Born on January 9, 1959, to a poor Indian peasant family in the Quiche branch of the Maya culture, Rigoberta’s early life was marked by hardship and resilience. From a young age, she helped with family farm work and later became involved in social reform activities through the Catholic Church. As a teenager, she emerged as a prominent figure in the women’s rights movement, despite facing significant opposition from influential circles.
Nobel peace prize laureate & Guatemalan Human rights activist, Ms. Rigoberta Menchú Tum and Mexican politician & businessman, Mr. Victor Gonzalez Torres were awarded with Gandhi Mandela award 2020.
The award is bestowed for promoting peace & harmony and the values of Mahatma… pic.twitter.com/C3dOQrMznM
— India in México (@IndEmbMexico) July 20, 2024
Rigoberta’s family suffered immense personal loss during the Guatemalan Civil War, with her brother, father, and mother becoming victims of military oppression. In 1979, she joined the Committee of the Peasant Union (CUC) and became increasingly active in advocating for better conditions for farm workers and educating the Indian peasant population. Her activism forced her into hiding and eventual exile in Mexico in 1981. From abroad, Rigoberta continued her fight, co-founding the United Representation of the Guatemalan Opposition (RUOG) in 1982 and narrating the powerful film “When the Mountains Tremble” in 1987. Her autobiography, “I, Rigoberta Menchú,” published in 1983, garnered international attention and highlighted her life and struggles.
Delighted to meet Mr. Nandan Jha and the team from the Gandhi Mandela Foundation. Inspired by their incredible work for the society, recognizing and honoring individuals worldwide for their contributions to peace, harmony & societal welfare. Keep up the great work! #Peace… pic.twitter.com/PpfYK15AK7
— India in México (@IndEmbMexico) July 20, 2024
A Journey Marked by International Recognition
Rigoberta Menchú’s tireless advocacy for Indian rights and ethno-cultural reconciliation has earned her numerous international accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 and the Princess of Asturias Award in 1998. Her work continues to inspire and lead the fight for Indigenous rights globally.
Gandhi Mandela Foundation: Promoting Global Peace and Harmony
The Gandhi Mandela Foundation (GMF) is a government-recognized trust established to promote the values, ideals, and principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. The foundation’s headquarters is in New Delhi, India, with a global presence in the USA, Latin America, Russia, South Africa, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Norway, the UK, and Australia. The GMF has organized various international events in association with the United Nations and embassies/high commissions of different countries, earning praise from top news agencies worldwide, including Time Magazine.
GMF confers the world’s highly prestigious Gandhi Mandela Award to felicitate the leaders who promote peace, non-violence, culture, & social welfare worldwide. The inaugural Gandhi Mandela Award was bestowed upon His Holiness the Dalai Lama in recognition of his unwavering commitment to promoting global peace. This prestigious honor highlights the Dalai Lama’s lifelong dedication to non-violence, compassion, and harmony among diverse communities. His profound influence on global peace efforts, coupled with his advocacy for human rights and interfaith dialogue, embodies the very principles that the Gandhi Mandela Award seeks to celebrate. By honoring the Dalai Lama, the award underscores the enduring legacy of two of history’s greatest champions of peace, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, and their shared vision of a more just and peaceful world.
Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh | Gandhi Mandela Foundation conferred the Gandhi Mandela Award 2019 upon the Dalai Lama today.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar presented the award to him at the event. pic.twitter.com/vLw9UqT1Gh
— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2022
The Prestigious Gandhi Mandela Award
The Gandhi Mandela Foundation, a Government of India registered trust, is a non-profit organization, formed with the motive to promote Mahatma Gandhi’s and the former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela’s values of non-violence. Gandhi Mandela Foundation instituted the award on the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, MK Gandhi. The Gandhi Mandela Award is given to personalities who have carried forward the legacies of Gandhi and Mandela by making significant contributions in the fields of social welfare, peace, environment, culture, education, healthcare, sports, and innovation. The jury consisting of five former Chief Justices and former Supreme Court Judges from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
A Distinguished Jury of Gandhi Mandela Award
The jury for the Gandhi Mandela Award is the world’s most empowered, comprising esteemed individuals with significant judicial backgrounds:
– Hon’ble Justice K.G. Balakrishnan: Former Chief Justice of India & Former Chairman NHRC India
– Vice Chairman Hon’ble Justice Gyan Sudha Misra: Former Judge Supreme Court of India
– Hon’ble Justice Dipak Misra: Former Chief Justice of India
– Hon’ble Justice Kedarnath Upadhyay: Former Chief Justice of Nepal & Former Chairman, NHRC, Nepal
– Hon’ble Justice Tafazzul Islam: Former Chief Justice of Bangladesh
As we celebrated the 106th birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela, the conferment of the Gandhi Mandela Award 2020 to Rigoberta Menchú Tum is a testament to her relentless pursuit of justice and equality. Her life’s work exemplifies the principles of Gandhi and Mandela, and this recognition highlights the importance of continuing their legacies in today’s turbulent world.
