Tagore Award for promotion of universal brotherhood to carry Rs1-crore prize money

The government has instituted an international award in the memory of Gurudev Rabindrnath Tagore for promoting values of universal brotherhood. The award, carrying a prize money of Rs1 crore, has been instituted as part of the national celebrations to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the great poet.

The celebrations, which commenced on 7 May 2011, will culminate on 7 May 2012. Important events are planned to be held in several countries in Europe, America and Asia as part of the celebrations. A series of events are also proposed to be organised under the aegis of joint India-Bangladesh Celebrations Committee.

The first Tagore Award will be announced on 7 May 2012, the day of the concluding ceremony of the commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Tagore.

Nominations for the award will be drawn globally and these may be sifted by the selection committee for final consideration by the jury for the award. The amount of the award was fixed at Rs1 crore, on a par with that for the Gandhi Peace Prize and the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding.

The award, to be given annually, will carry a prize money of Rs1 crore (which is convertible to foreign currency), a citation in a scroll, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.

It will be given to individuals, associations, institutions or organisations and is open to all persons or entities regardless of nationality, race, languages, caste, creed or gender.