The
President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the International Gandhi
Award for the year 2013 to Dr. Vijaykumar Vinayak Dongre and Prof. Guocheng
Zhang for making outstanding contribution in the field of leprosy on
February 15, 2014 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion,
the President said that the need of the hour is to intensify our efforts
towards early detection of leprosy cases, provide equitable access to
appropriate treatment and provide integrated leprosy services in the
geographically focused areas. Over the years, the scourge of leprosy has
remained a blot on humanity. More than the medical condition, the social stigma
attached to the disease is a cause for concern. He stated that there is a need
to empower those who have been socially discriminated an account of leprosy,
through advocacy and information dissemination. Social challenges for leprosy do
persist, but at the same time, it is heartening to note that the United Nations
has now passed a resolution on discrimination against people affected by
leprosy and efforts are being made to repeal laws that prevent people affected
by leprosy from participating in society.
The
President extended his heartiest congratulations to the recipients of the
International Gandhi Award for Leprosy– Prof. Guocheng Zhang and Dr. V. V.
Dongre who have both dedicated several decades of their lives to eradicating
leprosy through treatment, training and research.
The
President said that the latest World Health Organization Expert Committee has
set the challenge to reduce the rate of new patients with disability due to
leprosy to one in a million by 2020. This challenge can be met only through a
multi – dimensional and integrated approach. He urged all stakeholders to come
together and make concerted efforts for the total eradication of leprosy. He
also wished the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation and all those involved in
this noble mission all success in their endeavors.
The
International Gandhi Award was instituted by the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy
Foundation to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s service and scientific approach
towards leprosy. The two awards are given every alternate year to
individuals/institutions for making outstanding contribution in the field of
leprosy.