In News:

• Daniel Barenboim (Classical Pianist and Conductor) and Ali Abu Awwad (Palestinian Peace Activist) were jointly awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development for 2023.
  • Daniel Barenboim was recognized for fostering peace through musical and cultural dialogue initiatives.
  • Ali Abu Awwad was honored for his advocacy of peace through dialogue via his organization Roots, which he founded after serving time in Israeli prison.

Significance of the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize:

• The award is given to individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to international peace, disarmament, and development.
• It includes a monetary award of ?25 lakh and a citation.

About the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize:

• Established: 1986 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• Objective: To honor sustained efforts towards international peace, the development of humanity, and the promotion of disarmament.
• Past recipients: Includes prominent figures and organizations such as Mikhail Gorbachev, UNICEF, Jimmy Carter, Angela Merkel, ISRO, and Sir David Attenborough.

2022 Awardees:

• The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for 2022 was awarded to the Indian Medical Association and the Trained Nurses Association of India, in recognition of their contribution as COVID-19 warriors.

Key Takeaways:

• The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards for promoting peace, disarmament, and development worldwide.
• Daniel Barenboim's musical initiatives and Ali Abu Awwad's work through dialogue exemplify efforts to bridge divides and promote peaceful resolutions to conflict.

In News:

Coal India Limited (CIL) under the aegis of the Ministry of Coal, has been conferred with the esteemed Green World Environment Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category along with the distinguished tile of Green World Ambassador.

Key Highlights:

• Reason for the Award:

• The award was granted to CIL for its Thalassemia Bal SewaYojna, a CSR initiative aimed at providing permanent curative treatment for Thalassemia through Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT).
• The scheme provides financial assistance of up to ?10 lakh for BMT and has helped over 600 Thalassemia patients across India.

• Background of the Award:

• The Green Organization, an independent, non-political, non-profit environmental group, conferred the award.
• The organization has been recognizing and promoting environmental best practices and CSR initiatives globally since its establishment in 1994.

• CIL’s Role in CSR:

• CIL has been a pioneer in CSR, with its Thalassemia Bal SewaYojna being the first of its kind among public sector undertakings in India.
• The initiative partners with 17 prominent hospitals across India to provide stem cell transplants for Thalassemia patients.

• CIL’s Contribution to India's Energy Sector:

• CIL is responsible for producing over 80% of India's coal and contributes to 70% of the total coal-based power generation in the country.
• CIL accounts for 55% of India’s total power generation and meets 40% of the primary commercial energy requirements.

• Environmental Initiatives by CIL:

• CIL has adopted various measures to improve environmental sustainability, including:
• Expanding green cover over mined areas.
• Creating eco-parks and tourism spots.
• Providing mine water for domestic and agricultural use to surrounding villages.

• About Coal India Limited (CIL):

• Established: November 1975.
• Headquarters: Kolkata.
• Status: A Maharatna company and the largest coal-producing company in the world.
• Subsidiaries: CIL has seven producing subsidiaries and is a major corporate employer in India.

• About the Green Organization:

• Founded: 1994.
• Nature: Independent, non-political, non-profit organization.
• Objective: To recognize, reward, and promote environmental and CSR best practices worldwide.
• Initiatives: The Green World Awards are part of global efforts to encourage sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

• Significance of the Award:

• The Green World Environment Award highlights CIL’s commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability while maintaining its core role as an energy provider.
• The recognition underscores CIL’s leadership in integrating CSR initiatives with corporate operations to contribute to national development.