Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated architect Balakrishna Doshi for becoming the first Indian to win the prestegious Pritzker Prize - the highest award given to architects. , The PM tweeted on Thursday morning. “Congratulations to renowned architect Balkrishna Doshi for winning the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. This honour is a fitting recognition of his outstanding work, which has spanned decades and made a notable contribution to society.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated architect Balakrishna Doshi for becoming the first Indian to win the prestegious Pritzker Prize - the highest award given to architects. , The PM tweeted on Thursday morning. “Congratulations to renowned architect Balkrishna Doshi for winning the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. This honour is a fitting recognition of his outstanding work, which has spanned decades and made a notable contribution to society.”
Earlier, In a first, an Indian has won the Pritzker Prize, the highest award given in architecture.
Balakrishna Doshi, whose career has spanned over 70 years, and includes projects such as Tagore Memorial Hall in Ahmedabad and the Aranya Low Cost Housing development, a collection of more than 6,500 residences in the city of Indore, was announced as the award recipient on Wednesday.
The architect and urban planner, who turned 90 last year, told CNN International that the award was "a great surprise" during a phone interview from Ahmedabad, where he lives and works.
"I think it is very, very significant that this award has come to India. The government, officials, those who take decisions, cities -- everyone will start thinking that there is something called 'good architecture' (and that) lasting things can happen. (Only) then can we start talking about urbanization and urban design,” he told the international news agency.
In addition to being South Asia's first Pritzker Prize winner, Doshi differs from other prize winners by having no overseas landmarks to his name. While he has regularly taught abroad, the vast majority his work has taken place within India, reflecting a commitment to using architecture as a force for public good.
Referring to his own childhood encounters with "extreme poverty," Doshi expressed hope that, by winning architecture's most coveted award, he can draw attention to the impact of social housing in India.
Founded by Jay A. Pritzker and his wife Cindy -- members of the American family behind the the Hyatt Hotel chain -- the annual award is modeled on the Nobel Prize. Doshi will collect a prize of $100,000 and a bronze medallion, which will be presented during a ceremony at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto on March 16.
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