Hajipur: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, three distinguished personalities were announced for the “Vaishali International Gandhi Peace Award 2026.” The names were unanimously selected by the members of the Award Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee comprises Padma Shri Dr. Jitendra Kumar Singh, Padma Shri Vimal Jain, Padma Shri Rajkumari Devi, popularly known as Kisan Chachi, Padma Shri Ashok Vishwas, and Dr. Shashi Bhushan Kumar, Editor of Manavadhikar Today. After deliberations, the committee unanimously decided on the three awardees.

Among the selected personalities, Raju Lama, International President of the SAARC Journalists Forum, has been chosen for his contribution to promoting the messages of peace, harmony and humanity across the world through journalism.

Dr. P.C. Chandra of Thailand has been selected for his contribution to the promotion of peace, Buddhist thought and humanitarian values.

Padma Shri Prof. Ramji Singh, a renowned Gandhian thinker from Bihar, has been selected for his significant contribution to the promotion of peace, non-violence and Gandhian philosophy, as well as his work in the field of book writing.

Dr. Shashi Bhushan Kumar, Editor of Manavadhikar Today, said that the award has been inspired by Vaishali, regarded as one of the earliest centres of democratic traditions in human history, and by the messages of non-violence and peace associated with Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha. The award has been initiated with the objective of carrying these values forward on a global platform.

He said that announcing the award on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a global symbol of non-violence and peace, reflects the core objective of promoting peace, non-violence, harmony and humanity across the world.

The committee has decided that the three distinguished personalities will be presented with the Vaishali International Gandhi Peace Award 2026 at an upcoming international convention to be held in Bihar. The convention is proposed to be organized on 17–18 January 2027.

Dr. Shashi Bhushan Kumar said that honoring individuals who contribute to peace and humanitarian values through journalism, Gandhian thought and Buddhist philosophy from the historic land of Vaishali is the central spirit behind this initiative.