India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his two-day official visit to South Korea, was awarded 14th Seoul Peace Price on Friday in Seoul. The prime minister had accepted the award and further expressed his deep gratitude.
According to NDTV news reports, the ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, in a tweet, wrote: “Award dedicated to people of India. PM @narendramodi was conferred #SeoulPeacePrize in an award ceremony organised by Seoul Peace Prize Foundation in recognition of his efforts in promoting global peace & harmony through inclusive economic growth & improving quality of life.”
Award dedicated to people of India.
PM @narendramodi was conferred #SeoulPeacePrize in an award ceremony organised by Seoul Peace Prize Foundation in recognition of his efforts in promoting global peace & harmony through inclusive economic growth & improving quality of life. pic.twitter.com/cOrYVQymUY
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 22, 2019
After receiving the Seoul Peace Prize, Modi delivered an acceptance speech, where he said: “I am honoured to be awarded the Seoul Peace Prize. I believe that this award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India. The award belongs to the success India has seen in less than five years, powered by 1.5 billion people.”
He added: “I am even more honoured that this award has been given to me on the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. It makes it even more special.”
MEA spokesperson Kumar tweeted: “The award belongs to the success that India has achieved in less than five years, powered by the strengths and skills of 1.3 billion Indians. And so, on their behalf, I humbly accept the Award.”
PM @narendramodi acceptance speech: The award belongs to the success that India has achieved in less than five years, powered by the strengths and skills of 1.3 billion Indians. And so, on their behalf, I humbly accept the Award.
Full Speech at: https://t.co/joEMVrFgIt pic.twitter.com/6GnxeKR7GW— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 22, 2019
At the event, a short film on Modi was also screened. While conferring the award, all the organizers acknowledged Modi’s policies like the notes ban (demonetization) that it said has contributed to the country’s economic growth.
The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 in order to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games which was held in Seoul.
He is the 14th recipient of the award sponsored by the Seoul Peace Prize Foundation. Past winners include former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and international relief organisations like Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam.