The chairman of the Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Non-Violent Peace said, “The chairman of HWPL, Mr. Man Hee Lee, is the peace activist who really performs the peace ideology of Gandhi”
[Interview] Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani, the Chairman of the Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Non-Violent Peace and a former member of the Indian Lok Sabha
What is the Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Non-Violent Peace?
The award is given to peace leaders who follow the peace ideology of Gandhi
Leaders received the award due to their contributions to peace for mankind
Dr. Prasannaha has been well informed of Chairman Lee’s peace work
Leaders around the world are already supporting Chairman Lee and Chairwoman Kim
The award winners prove that the Republic of Korea is a country of peace
[Cheonji-ilbo=Song, Tae-Bok] The two Korean peace activists, HWPL’s Chairman Man Hee Lee and IWPG’s Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim, were awarded the Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Non-Violent Peace Award for their dedication to world peace on July 19th.
It has been 18 years since the last Korean recipient, the late Dr. Cho Young Sik, the founder of Kyung Hee University, received this award.
We met Prasanna Kumar Patasani, the Chairman of the Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Non-Violent Peace and a former member of the Indian Lok Sabha who visited Korea to attend the above mentioned award ceremony, at a café near Gyeongbokgung Palace on July 21st.
Patassani is an incumbent parliamentarian and has served five consecutive terms from the 12th to 16th sessions of the lower house of parliament. He was a member of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Lok Sabha. He also served as the chief executive from 1990 to 1995. Furthermore, he has worked as a member of various committees pertaining to education, culture, foreign policy and more. He is an important politician who is respected by the people of India.
The Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Non-Violent Peace Award has been given to renowned world leaders and heads of organizations. Patassani provided us with the background behind the selection of the two Korean recipients: Chairman Lee and Chairwoman Kim, the chair people of two non-governmental organizations (NGO).
Jyoti Mohapatra, the Secretary General of the Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Non-Violent Peace was with us duringthe interview. He is a doctor of economics and was once an exchange professor at Kyung Hee University in Korea. Also, he is the chairman of the Indian chapter of the UN NGO Global Co-Operation Society.
Q. What kind of award is the Mahatma M. K. Gandhi Award for Non-Violent Peace and to whom is it awarded?
It is an award for those who act in accordance with Gandhi’s philosophy and ideology of peace.
It is awarded to peace activists, peace workers, and global leaders who continuously promote peace by advancing the harmony of society or religions or the improvement of democracy.
Figures such as Nelson Mandela (former President of South Africa), Jimmy Carter (former President of the U.S.), Mikhail Gorbachev(former President of USSR), Margaret Thatcher (former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom), and Shankar Dayal Sharma (former President of India) received the award for their contributions toward peace for all mankind.
The foundation was established in 1989 by Dr. S. S. Mohapatra, a member of the Parliament of India, and is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. It is an international award that is recorded in the Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and Conflict.
Q. Were you familiar with Chairman Man Hee Lee and Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim?
Of course. I heard about the work of Chairman Lee and Chairwoman Kim many times in India.
Especially, when I heard about the work of Chairman Lee, I began to recognize from my heart that he is indeed a person who follows Gandhi's ideology of peace. I sincerely respect his initiatives for peace.
Q. What is the reason for selecting Chairman Lee and Chairwoman Kim as the recipients of the award?
As mentioned before, Chairman Lee and Chairwoman Kim are indeed true peace activists who are realizing Gandhi's ideology of peace through their dedication toward peace work.
Many people spoke highly of him and his ground-breaking achievements such as the signing of peace agreements in Mindanao, Philippines, and his work towards implementing the international law for the cessation of war.
His work towards the unification of religions through the World Alliance of Religions Peace Summit has been especially recognized.
Q. Chairman Lee developed an initiative regarding the implementation of an international law and the unification of religions into a definite solution for peace. Do you think these ideas will be realized?
Chairman Lee said he began his peace activities by receiving the will of God. I have been watching his achievements up till now as well as his dedication towards promoting peace. Also, I myself have witnessed the numerous politicians, religious leaders, and women supporting him. Already, there have been incredible achievements for peace and if it continues, then I believe what he suggested will surely be fulfilled.
Q. How would you evaluate the Non-Governmental Peace Agreement of Mindanao, Philippines, that Chairman Lee assisted in creating?
It was a groundbreaking event because no one had been able to resolve the disastrous conflict between the Catholics and Muslims for a long period of time in Mindanao, Philippines, in the past. It was Chairman Lee through whom the solution was given like a gift to the people who were suffering from religious conflict.
Q. What was your impression when you met Chairman Lee and Chairwoman Kim?
I feel that the two recipients, Chairman Lee and Chairwoman Kim, have a sincerity and passion towards achieving peace. I have heard before that Chairman Lee is a war veteran and also that he is 86 years old. It is not easy to even walk around at that age. That kind of passion is only possible through having sincerity for the achievement of peace.
Q. What is the significance of two Koreans receiving the Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Non-Violent Peace Award?
It means that Koreans love peace and it proves that this country loves peace as well.
<Special Profile of Dr. (Prof.) Prasanna Kumar Patasani>
1980~1998 Member, Orissa State Legislative Assembly (four terms)
1990~1995 Cabinet Minister, Public Grievances and Pensions and Administration, Govt. of the State of Orissa
1999~2000 Member, Committee on External Affairs
2009 Member, Committee on Parliament on Official Languages Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Civil Aviation
1998 ~ Lok Sabha ( from the 12th to 16th, in India's Lower House of Parliament)