Dalai Lama to receive 10th KISS Humanitarian Award

Bhubaneswar: 14^th Dalai Lama has been chosen for the prestigious Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Humanitarian Award for the year 2017. The award will be conferred on Dalai Lama on 21^st November at a special function in KISS.

It is for the first time any Nobel Laureate is receiving the prestigious ‘KISS Humanitarian Award’. 

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibetan people and a man of peace and compassion. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems.

Born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet, at the age of two, the child, then named Lhamo Dhondup, was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso.

He has travelled to more than 67 countries spanning 6 continents. He has received over 150 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. He has also authored or co-authored more than 110 books.

The previous recipients of KISS Humanitarian Award were Ashley Judd, Hollywood Actor, Activist & Global Goodwill Ambassador, UNFPA (2016); Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru (2015); Anne F. Stenhammer, Former Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office was the seventh KISS Humanitarian Laureate (2014).

Previous recipients of this prestigious award are Madam Albina du Boisrouvray (2013), Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan (2012); Rt. Hon. Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2011); Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Eminent Social Worker & the President of Mauritius (2010); Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, Eminent Educationist & Physician and President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea (2009); Edna Bomo Molewa, Noted Social Worker & Cabinet Minister, Social Development, South Africa National Assembly, South Africa (2008).