Shri Rajagopal PV. Photo: Trish Carn.
Rajagopal’s work recognised
Shri Rajagopal PV has won the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the year 2013 and 2014
The Indian nonviolent campaigner Shri Rajagopal PV has won the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the year 2013 and 2014. He will receive the award from Sonia Gandhi on 31 October.
The award is given to individuals or organisations who have promoted national integration, fellowship and understanding among the religious groups, communities, ethnic groups, cultures, languages and traditions of India.
Rajagopal has long links with Britain Yearly Meeting, which has supported the people’s movement Ekta Parishad (Unity Forum), which he founded, since 2001.
Stuart Morton, convenor of the Quaker South Asia Interest Group, told the Friend: ‘In the close links and friendship that have developed between Rajagopal and many Friends, including staff in Quaker Peace & Social Witness, we have never failed to be inspired both by his loving commitment to humanity and to a demonstration of this through his consistent nonviolent leadership alongside very vulnerable people.’
Stuart added: ‘In the final paragraph of her 2015 Swarthmore Lecture, Faith, Power and Peace. Diana Francis wrote: “Of one thing I am certain, that laughter is essential to our spiritual energy.”
‘In my experience, Rajagopal, who has the amazing gift of turning problems into opportunities, often bubbles with laughter. This prize, which includes a financial award, will not be used by Rajagopal to extend his own importance, but will be used to ensure that the voices of the marginalised reach the ears of the powerful.’
