PM praises Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei's efforts against proliferation

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil presented the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2008 to Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, director general, International Atomic Energy Agency in New Delhi today for his impassioned opposition to the use of nuclear energy for military purpose.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the gathering on the occasion. Full text of Dr Singh's address:

"It is a matter of great pleasure to speak at this function which seeks to felicitate Dr Mohamed ElBaradei with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize.
"This award was instituted in the memory of one of the greatest leaders of India and indeed the modern world. Mrs Indira Gandhi had an enlightened vision of human progress that grew from her deeply held belief in higher civilisational values cherished by all men and women.

"She was a powerful voice of the poor and the downtrodden and worked ceaselessly for an international order based on the principle of equality of all nations. In her personal life and work she embodied enormous strength, goodness and grace human qualities that endeared her to fellow countrymen and inspired people all over the world.

"It is therefore befitting that the Indira Gandhi Prize honours those who have made significant contributions to peace, disarmament and development causes that were so dear to Indiraji.

"Today, we honour with this Award a very distinguished diplomat, a scholar, an international civil servant of the highest order and a world statesman. As the director general of the IAEA since 1998, Dr Mohamed ElBaradei has brought about a fundamental transformation in the way we look at atomic energy. The Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 recognised the efforts of Dr. ElBaradei and the IAEA in ensuring that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible manner.