Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award given to Assam's Hem Dutta

New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) Former Chief Justice of India A M Ahmadi here today presented the fifteenth Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award for 2006 to Assamese activist Hem Dutta for relentlessly working for peace and communal harmony in the violence-affected state for nearly five decades.

The award, instituted in 1992 to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Quit India Movement, comprised of Rs 2.5 lakh, a shawl and a citation.

Recalling the Sadbhavna Yatra launched by late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion of his 63rd birth anniversary, Congress president Sonia Gandhi lamented that in a year when the nation was celebrating the completion of the century of Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha, the 60th anniversary of Independence and the 150th anniversary of the war of Independence, ''it is sad that we have in our society such elements who are spreading the poison of hatred and violence instead of spreading love''.

''Hem Dutta, inspired by Acharya Vinoba Bhave, gave up the luxuries of life and has been spreading integration, goodwill, empathy and compassion. Like this torch bearer, there is a need to light many more torches. I hope the new generation will take inspiration from him.'' Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, ''Hem Dutta is a living example of non-violence and truly deserves the award for translating the ideals of late Rajiv Gandhi. Hembhai organised the peace Soldiers in Assam and worked for national integration and peaceful social change.

''His Shanti Sadbhavna Ashram provides opportunities to the unemployed. It is encouraging that many young people joined his Ashram by giving up arms. Like a true Gandhian, he symbolises hope in our troubled times.'' Born in 1944, Hem Dutta decided to promote peace and non-violence even at the age of 13. During the 1980's, Acharya Vinoba Bhave directed him to go to Assam which was in turmoil with violence, arson and plunder. He toured areas affected by widespread violence and the places of genocide at Nelli and Gohpur. He also toured 33 affected villages.

He undertook a long peace march known as Gram Swavalamban Shanti Sadbhavna Padyatra across the state and inspired 300 peace centres to work for peace, development and social change.

Dedicating the award to the people of Assam, Mr Dutta said, ''In Assam, where there is no dowry system and untouchability, the violence is brought out by extraneous elements. To wipe it out is the responsibility of the Centre and the people of India.

''Today we don't have great leaders like Gandhiji but we have to carry forward what they strived for,'' he asserted.

UNI