Nation

New Delhi (June 19,2023) : Gita Press, a publishing house in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, has refused to accept the cash reward of Rs 1 crore (US$125,000) that comes with the Gandhi Peace Prize. The press said that it would only accept the citation and not the cash prize.

The Gandhi Peace Prize is awarded annually by the Gandhi Peace Foundation, a non-governmental organization founded by Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Gopalkrishna Gandhi. The prize is awarded to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the cause of peace and non-violence. Gita Press was chosen as the recipient of the 2023 Gandhi Peace Prize for its work in promoting the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. The press has published millions of copies of the Gita in Hindi and other languages, and it has also translated the Gita into several foreign languages.

In a statement, Gita Press said that it would not accept the cash reward because it did not want to be associated with "commercialization of awards." The press said that it was "proud" to have been chosen as the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize, but that it would only accept the citation as a token of appreciation. The Gandhi Peace Foundation has said that it respects the decision of Gita Press. The foundation has said that it will donate the cash reward to a charitable cause.

The decision of Gita Press to refuse the cash reward of the Gandhi Peace Prize is a significant statement. It is a reminder that the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi are still relevant today, and that there are still people who are willing to stand up for the ideals of peace and non-violence.