New Delhi, July 23: Noted Gandhian S N Subba Rao has been selected for the 11th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana award for his outstanding contribution towards communal harmony and national integration through the national youth projects movement. The advisory committee of the award, headed by former Chief Justice of India A M Ahmadi, met here on July 14 and selected Rao for the award, instituted by the Congress Party in the golden jubilee year of the "Quit India movement", Rameshwar Thakur, member secretary of the committee, said in a statement.

The award, which carries a citation and cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh, would be presented to Rao at a special ceremony on August 20, the birthday of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. To commemorate the contribution made by Rajiv Gandhi to promote peace, communal harmony and fight violence, the award is given to an institution or person for his/ her contribution to this noble cause every year on Rajiv Gandhi's birthday.

Former recipients of the award include Mother Teresa, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Sunil Dutt, Dilip Kumar, Jagan Nath Kaul, Kapila Vatsyayan, Teesta Setalvad and Harsh Mander.

Bureau Report