International gandhi award
To the Editor:
The Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation (GMLF) introduced the International Gandhi Award in 1986. The Award is given every second year on 30 January at the hands of the President of India.
The Award is being looked after by the International Gandhi Award Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri. K. R. Narayanan, the Vice President of India. Shri. J. S. Tilak, Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, is Vice Chairman of the Committee. Other members of the Award Committee include the Honorable Ministers for Health and Family Welfare, Social Welfare, Information and Broadcasting, and for Foreign Affairs, and eminent persons. Dr. S. K. Gokhale is the Convenor of the Committee.
The nominations received are examined by an International Expert Group which recommends three names in order of grading to the GMLF. Final selection of the recipient will be by the GMLF. The members of this group include the Chief, Leprosy Division, World Health Organization; the President of the International Leprosy Association; the Chairman of GMLF; Dr. V. Ramalingaswamy, Special Advisor to Executive, UNICEF; and Dr. E. Mcgagulu, Swaziland National Society for Handicapped, Africa.
The Award consists of: a) one hundred thousand rupees, b) a gold medallion, and c) a citation. The presentation of the Award by His Excellency, the President of India, is at a public function held in New Delhi on 30 January.
The Award is open to any person of any nationality and religion who has worked in the field of leprosy for a period of not less than 10 years and made an active contribution in any aspect of leprosy work resulting in the amelioration of suffering of leprosy patients, enabling them to lead a normal, useful life in society.
I am writing this letter to invite nominations from every country. The last date for receiving nominations for the 1994 Award is 15 June 1993. They may be sent to the Convenor of the Award Committee marked "CONFIDENTIAL -Nominations for International Gandhi Award." The address of the Convenor is: % International Leprosy Union, Bharat Scout Grounds Compound, "Gurutrayi" Building, 1779- 1784 Sadashiv Pcth, Pune 411030, India.
There is no form prescribed for application. The nomination should be accompanied by a photograph of the nominee, his bio-data and copies of a few of his important papers (research contributions, etc.). If you need further information, please feci free to write to the Convenor at the Pune address.
We shall be thankful to have your cooperation in the wide circulation of this invitation for nominations from every country and, especially, the leprosy circle so that an eligible veteran leprosy worker can be nominated before the stipulated date.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. S. K. Gokhale
Convenor
International Gandhi Award Committee