Wangi M Mathai to receive Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace--2006

New Delhi, Nov 19 (UNI) Prof Wangari M Maathai, the President of the Economic, Social and Cultural Centre of the African Union, has been selected for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development Award for 2006.

Earlier, President A P J Abdul Kalam presented the award to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai for 2005 at a glittering ceremony in the Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister A K Antony and other eminent people.

Prof Maathai has been selected by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust for the Prize.

Prof Maathai, who has received the Nobel Peace Prize for 2004, has spent many years in the service of the poor and underpriviledged persons.

She has also contributed in the planting of millions of saplings and fought for the preservation of environment even at the risk of being imprisoned.

''She became an icon for the African women and has been propogating ideals which were dear to Smt Indira Gandhi,'' Trust Secretary and Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit said here today.

The prize was instituted in 1986 and till now 20 persons have received it for their contribution to world peace, development and disarmament.

The Parliamentarian Global Action had received the first such prize in 1986 and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand had received it in 2004 for the great services rendered to human kind.

UNI AJ PA MIR DB2006