Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2024

By Ravindra Garimella

On November 19, 2025, the nation celebrated  108^th birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi. Commemorating with birth anniversary of Late Indira Gandhi, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust confers upon Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development; on a personality or organization who/which strove for peace and development in the world. The Prize honors individuals or organizations whose work contributes to peace, development, and a just international order.

Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust conferred upon the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, 2024 upon H. E. Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, at a function held at Jawahar Bhawan, New Delhi.

Michelle Bachelet is being honored with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development in recognition of her decades-long commitment to democratic governance, human rights, gender equality, and inclusive development.

Her life personifies the living example of indomitable spirit, perseverance during most trying circumstances, in her relentless efforts for working for peace, development and disarmament.

Her journey, from a survivor of political persecution under the Pinochet dictatorship to a two-term President of Chile and later the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, embodies moral courage, principled leadership, and a deep belief in the dignity of all individuals.

READ: Kazim Ali wins $10,000 2025 Pegasus Award for Poetry Criticism (September 13, 2025)

Bachelet’s achievements reflect the very ideals which form basis of the Award: defending democratic institutions during domestic political turbulence; advancing social justice through structural reforms; and promoting peace by advocating international cooperation, disarmament norms, and the protection of human rights.

Her work resonates with the values associated with Indira Gandhi, the pursuit of equity, the strengthening of national capabilities, and the belief in an active, principled role for states in global diplomacy.

Bachelet’s life personal as well as public, is integral to her public philosophy. Her father, an Air Force officer, was arrested and tortured for opposing the dictatorship. She too along with her mother suffered incarceration, tortures too. This early experience shaped her lifelong advocacy for democracy, reconciliation, and institutional accountability. As a trained physician specializing in pediatrics and public health, she entered public life with a deep understanding of social inequalities and the importance of strong public institutions.

Through her undeterred public service and commitment, she rose up to assume the high office of President of Chile for two terms: 2006–2010 and 2014–2018.

As Chile’s President, she advanced robust welfare reforms, expanded social protection, strengthened public healthcare, and promoted high-quality education accessible to all. Her government passed landmark gender-equality legislation, increased representation of women in senior positions, and developed policies supporting working mothers and vulnerable communities. She also created the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality. Her second term included significant tax reforms designed to reduce inequality, as well as ambitious environmental and climate-related policies.

READ: Giving with glamour: Silk Threads Dallas gala benefits Akanksha (November 14, 2025)

In her global role (2018-2022), Bachelet guided the UN Human Rights Office during a period of intense geopolitical strain. She confronted issues such as shrinking civic space, digital-age surveillance, forced displacement, and conflicts affecting civilian populations. Her work was widely noted for its independence and willingness to speak to governments large and small with the same clarity. She championed the rights of women, LGBTQ+ persons, indigenous peoples, migrants, and those living under authoritarian regimes. Her tenure strengthened the credibility of international human-rights mechanisms and reminded states of their obligations under international law.

It would be of interest note who were earlier recipients, details of which are as under:-

Through this article it has been attempted to underscore the critical importance and relevance of the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.

(Ravindra Garimella, is an author, Adviser on Parliamentary & Constitutional matters. He is presently Secretary to Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Parliament of India. He was formerly Joint Secretary (Legislation), Lok Sabha Secretariat.)