Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize

Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize
PHILOSOPHER SAINT SHRI DNYANESHWARA WORLD PEACE PRIZE The 13th century saint, poet, philosopher and yogi from Maharashtra, Sant Dnyaneshwar, is well known for his commentary on Bhagwad Gita – Dnyaneshwari – and other spiritual treatises. He played the pioneering role in the bhakti (devotional) movement in medieval Maharashtra with his holistic teachings on the philosophy of life and was truly an embodiment of divine knowledge.Today, when the world is witnessing a range of problems in the form of chaos, confusion, terrorism, violence, environmental degradation and illness, the sustainable teachings of philosophers like Dnyaneshwar are very relevant to facilitate a turnaround. Ever since the first World Philosophers’ Meet - Parliament of Science, Philosophy and Religion was organized by MAEER’s MIT in 1996, consistent efforts are being undertaken for establishing a culture of peace, under the able guidance of Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad.As a part of this endeavour, World Peace Centre, Alandi, instituted the Philosopher Saint Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize in 2005 to honour the great men and women who have been working for the greater good of the society by eradicating the differences among people at the national and international levels.
| Sl | Name | Country | Flag | Year | Awarded For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Dr. Karan Singh | India | 2019 | have been working for the greater good of the society by eradicating the differences among people at the national and international levels. | |
| 8 | Elder D. Todd Christofferson | United States | 2017 | have been working for the greater good of the society by eradicating the differences among people at the national and international levels. | |
| 7 | Shri Madhukarnath | India | 2015 | have been working for the greater good of the society by eradicating the differences among people at the national and international levels. | |
| 6 | Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha | India | 2010 | have been working for the greater good of the society by eradicating the differences among people at the national and international levels. | |
| 5 | Dr. Vijay Bhatkar | India | 2009 | have been working for the greater good of the society by eradicating the differences among people at the national and international levels. | |
| 4 | Dada J. P. Vaswani | India | 2009 | have been working for the greater good of the society by eradicating the differences among people at the national and international levels. | |
| 3 | Hiroo Saionji & Masami Saionji | Japan | 2008 | have been working for the greater good of the society by eradicating the differences among people at the national and international levels. | |
| 2 | Sri Sri Ravi Shankar | India | 2006 | have been working for the greater good of the society by eradicating the differences among people at the national and international levels. | |
| 1 | Mata Amritanandmayee Devi | India | 2005 | have been working for the greater good of the society by eradicating the differences among people at the national and international levels. |

Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize Laureates (2020 ~ 2005)

Dr. Karan Singh
Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2019
🇮🇳 Dr. Karan Singh: Statesman, Philosopher, and Cultural Ambassador
Dr. Karan Singh is a distinguished Indian statesman, philosopher, and scion of the Dogra dynasty, born in 1931. His unique public service began in 1949 when, at age 18, he was appointed Regent of Jammu and Kashmir, later serving as its Sadr-i-Riyasat (President) and first Governor until 1967. This marked his transition from royalty to a pillar of Indian democracy.He became India's youngest Union Cabinet Minister in 1967, holding key portfolios like Tourism and Civil Aviation, Health and Family Planning, and Education and Culture. He later served as India's Ambassador to the US (1989–90) and was a four-time Member of the Rajya Sabha.A profound thinker, Dr. Singh holds a Ph.D. and has served as Chancellor of major universities, including JNU and BHU. He promotes India's civilizational heritage as the Chairman of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and is recognized internationally for his work in interfaith dialogue and philosophy. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2005.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2017
Elder D. Todd Christofferson is a prominent religious leader, currently serving as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to this calling in October 2025, he served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since 2008.Career and Service
Legal Background: Elder Christofferson earned his law degree from Duke University and had a notable legal career. He was a law clerk to Judge John Sirica during the Watergate proceedings (1972–1974) and later worked as a legal counsel for several financial entities, including NationsBank (now Bank of America).Church Service: His full-time Church service began in 1993 as a General Authority. He previously served as a bishop, stake president, and a missionary in Argentina. As an Apostle and in the First Presidency, he speaks globally on topics such as human dignity, religious freedom, and the doctrine of belonging and worship.Key Contributions: As Executive Director of the Family and Church History Department, he was involved in significant developments, including efforts to enhance family history research through the internet.His life reflects dedicated legal expertise and a lifelong commitment to religious faith and service.

Shri Madhukarnath
Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2015
Shri Madhukarnath, widely known as Sri M, is an Indian yogi, spiritual guide, social reformer, and educationist. Born as Mumtaz Ali in Kerala, he undertook a journey to the Himalayas at age nineteen where he was initiated into the Nath tradition by his guru, Sri Maheshwarnath Babaji.His teachings emphasize transcending religious differences to nurture the innate goodness in all humans, captured by his philosophy: "Go to the core."Sri M is the founder of The Satsang Foundation, which spearheads initiatives in education and service. His significant contributions include the "Walk of Hope" (2015-16), a 7,500 km padayatra (walk) from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, undertaken to promote peace, communal harmony, and tolerance across 11 Indian states.He also established educational institutions like the Peepal Grove School and the free Satsang Vidyalaya for underprivileged children. For his distinguished service in spirituality and social reform, he was conferred the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 2020.
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Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha
Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2010
🇮🇳 Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS)
The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a global Hindu socio-spiritual organization rooted in the Vedic tradition and the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781–1830). Its philosophy is based on the five eternal entities: Parabrahman (God), Aksharbrahman (the divine abode), Ishwar, Jiva, and Maya. BAPS identifies the Gunatit Swarups (Successors) of Bhagwan Swaminarayan as the manifested form of Aksharbrahman, or the ideal devotee, who serves as the link between the devotee and God.Spiritual and Social Service
BAPS is dedicated to the betterment of society through its spiritual and humanitarian work, often guided by its motto: "In the joy of others lies our own."Worldwide Network: It maintains a vast global network of more than 1,100 temples (including the renowned Akshardham complexes in Delhi and Gandhinagar) and centers, engaging in extensive community outreach.Humanitarian Efforts: BAPS runs numerous projects in areas such as healthcare, disaster relief, education, environmental conservation, and tribal development. Their swift, organized response to global disasters (like the Gujarat earthquake, Hurricane Katrina, and numerous floods) is internationally recognized.Cultural Preservation: The organization is committed to preserving Indian culture and Hindu values, teaching moral and ethical conduct to children and youth globally through weekly assemblies.The organization's global growth and widespread philanthropic activities demonstrate its focus on serving society while fostering a path for spiritual progress.

Dr. Vijay Bhatkar
Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2009
Dr. Vijay P. Bhatkar is a renowned Indian computer scientist and one of the nation's foremost leaders in technological development. He is best known as the architect of India's first indigenous supercomputer, the PARAM series.Following the denial of supercomputer access by the U.S. in the late 1980s, Dr. Bhatkar led the creation of the PARAM 8000 in 1991 at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), demonstrating India's capability for technological self-reliance. This achievement placed India firmly on the global supercomputing map.He is also a significant figure in promoting education and research, having founded institutions like C-DAC and the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT). Honored with the Padma Bhushan (2015) and Padma Shri (1991), Dr. Bhatkar's work bridges science and spirituality, profoundly advancing India's IT sector and fostering technological independence.

Dada J. P. Vaswani
Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2008
Dada Jashan Pahlajrai Vaswani (1918–2018), widely known as Dada Vaswani, was an Indian non-sectarian spiritual leader, author, and philosopher. He succeeded his uncle, Sadhu T. L. Vaswani, as the spiritual head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Pune, India, guiding its expansion into a globally renowned charitable organization.Key Contributions
Apostle of Non-Violence: Dada Vaswani was a tireless advocate for vegetarianism and animal rights, embodying the principle of ahimsa (non-violence). He initiated the annual global observance of 'Meatless Day' on his guru's birthday (November 25).Global Peace: He was a compelling orator, speaking at prestigious international forums, including the United Nations and the World Parliament of Religions. He initiated 'The Moment of Calm', a global peace initiative observed on his birthday (August 2) as a time for forgiveness.Literary and Humanitarian Work: He authored over 150 self-help and spiritual books. Under his guidance, the Mission established hospitals, schools, colleges, and carried out extensive relief and rehabilitation work globally, earning him the U Thant Peace Award in 1998.His life was a testament to love, compassion, and selfless service to all creation.

Hiroo Saionji & Masami Saionji
Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2008
Hiroo Saionji and Masami Saionji are co-founders and leaders of the Goi Peace Foundation and May Peace Prevail On Earth International. Their work is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and harmonious global society by promoting peace consciousness and building cooperation across diverse fields.Masami Saionji, as a spiritual leader and peace visionary, is the successor to Masahisa Goi, who initiated the universal prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth." She emphasizes spiritual transformation, believing that progressively peaceful human thought is key to world peace. Hiroo Saionji, the President of both organizations, travels globally to promote dialogues and peace initiatives, including the Fuji Declaration to awaken humanity's divine spark.Through the Goi Peace Foundation (established 1999), they engage in educational programs—like the International Essay Contest for Young People in collaboration with UNESCO—and interdisciplinary research. Their decades of work for peace and tolerance, which includes leading World Peace Prayer Ceremonies at the UN, earned them the Luxembourg Peace Prize in 2019.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2006
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian, best known as the founder of The Art of Living Foundation (1981) and the International Association for Human Values (IAHV). His vision is a stress-free, violence-free world achieved through personal transformation and universal human values.His core offering is the Sudarshan Kriya®, a powerful breathing technique designed to eliminate stress and foster inner peace, which is taught globally in over 180 countries. His programs and initiatives have touched the lives of millions, helping people from all backgrounds, including survivors of trauma, war, and natural disasters.A prominent figure in conflict resolution, he has successfully mediated in various conflict zones, urging militants and gang members to embrace peace in places like Colombia, Iraq, and parts of India. Through a wave of global volunteerism, his organizations spearhead projects in disaster relief, environmental conservation, education, and prisoner rehabilitation, embodying the message of a "One World Family."

Mata Amritanandmayee Devi
Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2005
Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, fondly known as "Amma" (Mother), is an Indian Hindu spiritual leader, guru, and humanitarian from Kerala. She is renowned globally as the "Hugging Saint" for offering her darshan (blessing) through a physical embrace, having personally hugged over 40 million people worldwide as an expression of universal love and compassion.Global Humanitarian Work
Amma is the founder of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math and its global charitable network, Embracing the World. This vast, volunteer-driven network operates in over 48 countries, focusing on alleviating suffering by meeting basic needs:Healthcare: Operating charitable hospitals, including the multi-campus Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS).Education: Founding the multi-campus Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (University).Relief: Providing over $85 million in disaster relief since 2001, including extensive reconstruction after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami (building over 6,200 homes).Her work in promoting peace and non-violence has been recognized internationally, including by addressing the UN and receiving the Gandhi-King Award for Non-violence in 2002.

