On the second day (Friday) of his visit to South Korea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Seoul Peace Prize for 2018
On the second day of his visit to South Korea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 on Friday.
The PM was conferred the prestigious award for his contribution to international cooperation, fostering global economic growth and human development.
The award which was announced by the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation in October last year was presented to him by the foundation during a grand ceremony.
A short film on the life and achievements of Prime Minister Modi was also screened at the event.
Modi is the 14th recipient of the prestigious peace award and is the first Indian to receive it.
While expressing gratitude for the prestigious honour, Narendra Modi said, "This award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India."
"The success that India has achieved in the last five years is due to aspirations, inspiration, and efforts of the people of India. On their behalf, I accept the award and express my gratitude," he added.
1. Narendra Modi honoured with Seoul Peace Prize
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conferred the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 on Friday for his contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth.
Modi expressed gratitude for the prestigious honour and said, "this award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India."
2. Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary
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Modi said he was honoured that the award is being conferred on him in the year that India celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Modi is the 14th recipient of the award and the past laureates included former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and renowned international relief organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam
3. Modi dedicates prize money to 'Namami Gange Programme'
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Narendra Modi dedicated the USD 200,000 prize money to 'Namami Gange Programme', which is the flagship programme of his government to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation, and rejuvenation of River Ganga
4. Menace of terrorism
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After receiving the award, while speaking at the event, Prime Minister Modi expressed concern over the growing menace of terrorism and recalled that a few weeks before the Seoul Olympics in 1988, an organisation called Al-Qaeda was formed.
"Today, radicalisation and terrorism have become global and are the biggest threats to world peace and security," he said.
He said that like Korea, India has also suffered the pain of cross-border strife.
"Our endeavour towards peaceful developments has only too often been derailed by cross-border terrorism. While India has been the victim of cross-border terrorism for over 40 years, all nations today face this grave threat which respects no borders," he said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.
"Transform landscape of vendetta into a postcard for peace," he added
5. Modi lauds South Korean president
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Modi also lauded President Moon Jae-in for his role in overcoming the legacy of mutual-distress and suspicion between North Korea and the international community and bringing them to the discussion table.
"This is no small achievement," he said and hoped that peace will soon prevail on the Korean peninsula.
6. India and South Korea sign 6 agreements
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Meanwhile, India and South Korea signed six agreements on Friday to enhance cooperation in key areas, including infrastructure development, media, start-ups and combating trans-border and international crime, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country
7. Modi accorded an official reception at the Blue House
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a two-day visit to South Korea to strengthen India's strategic ties with the country, was accorded an official reception at the Blue House, the executive office and official residence of the South Korean President Moon Jae-in here.
He also met First lady Kim Jung-sook
