Aung San Suu Kyi chosen for Bhagwan Mahavir Award

Aung San Suu Kyi, who claimed victory in Myanmar's historic by-election for parliamentary seats, was on Monday chosen for the first International Bhagwan Mahavir World Peace award.

Suu Kyi has been chosen for her devotion to promote non-violence and peace for the welfare of the people, the award committee said.

A jury comprising former diplomat Kuldip Nayar, former vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University Dr M Rahman and Sanjay Nahar, the founder and president of the Pune-based Sarhad decided on the winner.

While accepting the letter from the organistaion, she has conveyed to the organisers that she has accepted the invitation to come to India to receive the award. However, she mentioned the time is not right for her to leave her country.

She wrote "it would have been delightful to visit India again and meet old friends. However, the time is not yet right for me to leave Burma even for a short trip abroad."

"Would it be possible to defer the ceremony until a future date that is convenient for all concerned? Or would you prefer that I nominate somebody to accept the award for me? I would be very happy to send a voice message even a video message if you think that would be a good idea."

"I feel honoured that you have chosen me for the 'Bhagwan

Mahavir Award', particularly as I have a very deep love for India and her people," she wrote on the reply to the letter.

The award, constituting Rs 11 lakh and a citation, is set up by Sarhad, a Pune-based organisation.

The founder and president of the awarding body Sarhad, Sanjay Nahar said, "The award has been constituted to recognise people who work on the principles of non-violence, and working towards improving human condition."

Nahar said the jury wanted to award it to somebody from the South Asia region, and who worked on the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Mahavir Jain.

The award will be given every year to honour personalities from South Asian countries who have dedicated their lives to guard the dignity of human existence by Sarhad, a social organisation working in the conflict zones of India like Punjab,  Jammu and Kashmir and North East.

With inputs from PTI