Dalai Lama receives Gold Mercury Award for Peace and Sustainability
Dharamshala (PTI): Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama was awarded the prestigious Gold Mercury Award for Peace and Sustainability at a special ceremony held at his residence in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh on Monday.
The award was presented by Gold Mercury International, a globally recognised think tank and international non-governmental organisation (INGO) dedicated to promoting peace, governance and sustainable development.
Nicolas De Santis, president and secretary general of Gold Mercury International, who presented the award to the Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamshala said, "Dalai Lama is a leader whose wisdom, compassion and unwavering dedication to peace have inspired the world. As we celebrate His Holiness' 90th birthday, we reflect on your extraordinary legacy.
"For decades, he has championed non-violence, human dignity, interfaith dialogue and environmental stewardship, always reminding us that true peace begins within. Your message of universal responsibility teaches us that we are all connected -- not just as nations but as one human family, sharing one fragile planet" he said.
Santis said Dalai Lama has defended the rights of the Tibetan people through non-violent means and is a global voice for sustainability, warning of the urgent need to protect the environment long before climate change became a worldwide concern.
The Gold Mercury International Award, originally established in Italy, has evolved into a globally recognised honour for individuals and organisations making significant contributions to world peace, good governance and international commerce. Over the years, the award has been presented in major cities such as Brussels, Moscow, Madrid and Washington, celebrating visionary leaders who shape the future with courage and integrity.
Gold Mercury International, now headquartered in London, continues its mission under the leadership of Santis, son of the organisation's founder, Eduardo De Santis.
The Dalai Lama joins a distinguished list of past laureates who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to global peace and sustainability, further cementing his enduring legacy as a guiding force for ethical leadership and universal harmony, a statement said.
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SP has ended contract with I-PAC due to fund constraints: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party has severed its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds.
He dismissed speculations that the termination of contract was because of recent election results.
Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said the party had engaged I-PAC for a brief period ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but could not continue the arrangement.
"Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding," he said.
The I-PAC is a political consultancy firm known for managing major election campaigns across the country.
Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has also been associated with the organisation in the past and has worked with multiple parties, including the BJP and the Congress.
In a lighter vein, Yadav took a swipe at the ecosystem of political consultancies. "We thought that if we have to work with a 'winning agency', then there are several big companies."
He said that some people suggested conducting surveys, hiring another firm, keeping a social media company, and even engaging agencies for negative campaigning against other parties.
"There are one or two more companies whose names are not yet known. I can get those for you as well," Yadav said.
Yadav rejected the suggestion that the decision to end the deal was influenced by recent election outcomes in states such as West Bengal.
"There is no such thing. Do not ask questions based on baseless reports. That is not true," he said.
"This is not the reason for ending the agreement. We simply do not have enough funds. If you (the media) give us funds, we can hire another company," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
