Lauding the exemplary philanthropy for global health, agriculture and development, the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presented the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2007 to Mr. Bill Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The President of India said "It is fitting that the foundation bearing the name of Bill Gates is being presented an award named after Indira Gandhi who had a firm belief that science was at the very core of human advancement." In addition to the President, Vice President of India Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, President, Indian National Congress, party graced the occasion.

The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development was set up over two decades ago in memory of one of the most charismatic leaders of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. She had a scientific temper which led her to steer the Green Revolution in India. The country surged ahead to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains with the advances of technology - improved seeds, fertilizers and controlled irrigation. She also constantly strove to provide to the scientific community, an enabling environment for research and innovation. "As a tribute to her memory, the exceptional work of the organization is recognized whose contributions around the world, have been an inspiration to others," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation seeks to contribute to the global fight to overcome poverty, hunger and disease, to promote research and education, to work for agricultural development and to provide financial services to the poor. Mr. Bill Gates is the first business leader among 23 recipients in the last two decades to receive this prestigious award.

A copy of the speech of President Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil during the presentation of the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2007 is available at http://presidentofindia.nic.in/sp250709.html

Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh's address at the presentation of the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize is available at: http://www.pmindia.nic.in/lspeech.asp?id=802

For more details about the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) visit http://www.gatesfoundation.org/ For more information about biotech development in India, contact b.choudhary@cgiar.org and k.gaur@cgiar.org.