Manmohan Singh presents Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2015 to UNHRC

NEW DELHI: Former prime minister Manmohan Singh today presented ' Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2015' to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR) at a function here.

Singh, who is trustee of Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust (IGMT), gave the prize to UNHCR India Chief of Mission, Yasuko Shimizu, in the presence of the trust's Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

The prize, which was announced last year by a jury headed by Vice President Hamid Ansari, consists of a trophy with a portrait of the late prime minister in the tradition of Jaipur miniature paintings, a cash award of Rs one crore and a citation.

The award is presented to "Office of UNHCR in recognition of its immense contributions in assisting millions of refugees who have fled thier homes, for working under difficult circumstances with governments and other agencies to bring about changes to reduce the flow of refugees, for looking to their welfare in a particular manner on a globe scale, and for working tirelessly in several places simultaneously to give refugees hope for the future and relief from their suffering," reads the citation.

Established by the UN General Assembly in December 1950, UNHCR works in 128 countries and its mission is to safe guard the rights and well-being of refugees and seek lasting solutions to their plight.