Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum Receives Prestigious Gandhi Mandela Award 2020

Rigoberta Menchú Tum, the renowned Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Guatemalan human rights activist, has been honored with the Gandhi Mandela Award 2020. This prestigious accolade recognizes her lifelong commitment to advocating for Indigenous rights and promoting peace and social justice.

The Award Ceremony

Timing and Significance

The Gandhi Mandela Award was conferred on Rigoberta Menchú Tum on July 18, 2023, coinciding with Nelson Mandela’s 106th birth anniversary. This date holds special significance, aligning with the values of peace and equality that both Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi championed throughout their lives.

Purpose of the Award

According to the Gandhi Mandela Foundation, the award is bestowed upon individuals who exemplify and promote the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. These values include:

• Community service
• Social development
• Promotion of peace and harmony

Rigoberta Menchú Tum: A Life Dedicated to Activism

Early Life and Beginnings

Born on January 9, 1959, into a poor peasant family in Guatemala, Rigoberta Menchú Tum’s journey as an activist began in her teenage years. Despite facing significant opposition, she persevered in her pursuit of social reform and justice.

Activism During the Guatemalan Civil War

During the Guatemalan Civil War, Menchú’s family suffered severe losses due to military oppression. This personal tragedy fueled her commitment to activism. In 1979, she joined the Committee of the Peasant Union (CUC), where she:

• Advocated for farm workers’ rights
• Educated the Indian peasant population on their rights

Exile and Continued Advocacy

Forced into exile in Mexico in 1981 due to her activism, Menchú continued her efforts undeterred. In 1982, she co-founded the United Representation of the Guatemalan Opposition (RUOG), further amplifying her voice for Indigenous rights and social justice.

Recognition and Accolades

Rigoberta Menchú Tum’s tireless work has earned her numerous prestigious awards, including:

• Nobel Peace Prize in 1992
• Princess of Asturias Award in 1998
• Gandhi Mandela Award in 2020

The Gandhi Mandela Award

Establishment and Purpose

The Gandhi Mandela Award was established by the Gandhi Mandela Foundation to honor individuals who embody the principles of Gandhi and Mandela. It serves as a recognition of those who have made significant contributions to peace, social justice, and human rights.

Award Components

The Gandhi Mandela Award includes:

1. A gold medal crafted by the India Government Mint
2. A pine wood box
3. A certificate signed by a distinguished jury of former Chief Justices from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh

Previous Recipients

His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the Gandhi Mandela Award for the year 2019, setting a prestigious precedent for the award.