New Delhi: The Dayawati Modi Foundation for Art, Culture and Education has announced that this year’s Dayawati Modi Award for Art, Culture and Education will be conferred on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in recognition of his life time contribution towards universal peace, tolerance and social justice.

His Holiness was felicitated with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, US Congressional Gold Medal in 2007 and hundreds of other awards, honorary doctorates and honors from around the world in recognition of his unwavering efforts to promote the message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious harmony and in trying to find a peaceful resolution to the Issue of Tibet. He has also authored over 100 books.

His Holiness began his monastic education at the age of six and at the age of 23, he was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree, equivalent to a doctorate of Buddhist philosophy. In 1950, His Holiness was called upon to assume political leadership of Tibet after China’s invasion. In 1959, after China’s brutal suppression of the Tibetan national uprising, he was forced to escape into exile. Since then he has been living in Dharamsala, Northern India.

The Award, carrying a prize of Rs. Two Lakh and fifty one thousand, the scroll of honour and a silver shield will be presented to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on December 2^nd, 2011 at Shri Satya Sai Auditorium, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.