Central Idea

Gita Press, located in Gorakhpur is awarded the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021.
The jury, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unanimously selects Gita Press for this honor.

The International Gandhi Peace Prize
Establishment	1995
Award Details	Cash prize of ₹1 crore (US$130,000), which can be converted into any currency worldwide Includes a plaque and a citation
Jury composition	PM (Chair), Leader of the Opposition, Chief Justice, Speaker, and Eminent person
Evaluation	Evaluation based on contributions to non-violence and Gandhian methods Nominees are considered from competent individuals Award can be withheld if no deserving candidate is found
Recent laureates	Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangladesh Founder) was posthumously awarded in 2020

Significance of the Prize

The International Gandhi Peace Prize pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophy.
The award recognizes outstanding contributions to social, economic, and political transformation through non-violence and Gandhian methods.

Founding and Establishment: Gita Press was officially founded in 1923 by Jaydayal Goyandka, a businessman from Bankura, West Bengal.
Authenticity of texts: Goyandka’s extensive travels as a businessman led him to form satsangs with like-minded individuals in various towns.
Translation work: The group desired an authentic translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita, which led to the establishment of Gita Press.
Publication: Gita Press emerged as a prominent publisher with the launch of its monthly magazine, Kalyan, in 1926.
Versatility: It offers over 1,850 religious books in 15 languages, with approximately 93 crore copies sold.

Promotion of Hindi: It played a pivotal role in the consolidation of Hindi as a language of masses.
Bridging Divisions: Gita Press strategically focused on emotional cultivation and avoided highlighting differences between various Hindu sects, fostering unity among the Hindu community.