India's another Award for Daw Aung

[aungsan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: India's another Award for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.


ART & CULTURE FOUNDATION
D-121, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018, Tel. : 91-11-5621 582., 
Fax. : 91-11- 550 6715.
 
Press Release
Dated 9.8.96.
 
Hon'ble Aung San Suu Kyi Awarded RAJIV SMRITI 
PURASKAR-1996.
 
The Art & Culture Foundation was established  in 1980, with the 
aim to serve the people in every possible way through the medium 
of Art & Culture. It has concentrated its work in the field of Fine 
Arts with emphasis on the promotion of Literacy amongst the 
under privileged and their welfare. Our beloved leader "Bharat 
Ratna", Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi was the real inspiration behind the 
Formation of the Foundation. He not only guided us in times of 
need but also took keen interest in the day to day activities of the 
Foundation. We say with the sense of pride that due to his 
patronage this Foundation has come to be an organisation of 
repute with multifarious activities in the field of Art & Culture.
 
The Foundation has produced various Dance-Ballets, folk-dance 
competitions, exhibitions and  Light and Sound programmes. The 
Foundation was the first organisation to start cultural activities for 
the prisoners of Tihar Jail. On the occasion of 125th Birth 
Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi the Foundation presented a dance 
drama "SHRADDHANJALI" which was highly appreciated by the 
audience and media. On the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebration 
on the late Shri Rajiv Gandhi's birthday, the Foundation presented 
a special Dance-Balltes "MERA SAFAR" written by Ali Sadar 
Jafri and dance performed by famous dancer,  Shovana Narayan.
 
The Foundation presents an annual award known as RAJIV 
SMRITI PURASKAR which was instituted on 21st May 1992, on 
the first Martyrdom day of our beloved leader "BHARAT 
RATNA", Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi. The Foundation presents this 
award, to an eminent person selected by the eminent members in 
it's panel for his/her meaningful contribution to the International 
Brotherhood, Strengthening of Democratic Forces and Promotion 
of Art & Culture. The first award for 1992 was given to the 
renowned writer Shri C. P. Prabhakar, the second award for 1993 
was given to famous dancer Padamshree Shovana Narayan, the 
third award for 1994 was given to Shri O. P. Jora - Photographer, 
the fourth for 1995 was given to Producer and Director Shri 
Vishwa Nath Dixit. The first, second and third PURASKAR were 
presented by Hon'ble Shri Arjun Singh, former H.R.D minister. 
The fourth PURASKAR was presented by Hon'ble Shri R. L. 
Bhatia,  former Minister of State External Affairs.
 
The fifth RAJIV SMRITI PURASKAR-1996 has been presented 
to Honble Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma. This award is presented 
for her valuable and great contribution to the Promotion of 
International Brotherhood and Strengthening of Democratic 
Forces. She is a writer and a great pianist. She is not only a symbol 
of Democracy for Burmese people but also  receives International 
recognition for struggle against tyranny for freedom and dignity. 
She is a Symbol of Peace, Courage and Democracy and an 
outstanding example of the Power of Powerless. Because of her 
courage and love for Democracy and Peace, she has been awarded 
with various International Awards such as Nobel Peace Prize-1991 
and Jawaharlal Nehru Award-1993 for International 
Understanding.
 
The RAJIV SMRITI PURASKAR presentation ceremony is going 
to be held on 19th August 1996 at 6 p.m. at Kamani Auditorium - 
Copernicus Marg, New Delhi. On the same occasion the 
Foundation is also celebrating the Birthday of our beloved leader 
BHARAT RATNA, Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi by presenting a 
special Dance-Ballet ASHIKSANGHITA to be performed by two 
renowned Dancers and Choreographers, Shri Harish Rawat and 
Ms. Ronica Jacab. The main feature of Dance-Ballet is the 
confluence of Indian and Western Cultures through two forms of 
Classical Dances, Kathak and Western; Hindustani Music and 
Western Music. Indian and Western thoughts would be beautifully 
picturised by the Painting, Slides, Lights and Sound Affect of the 
Dance-Ballet.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUSHIL SHARMA                   Deepak Mishra
President                       Chairman-selection Board.
Art & Culture Foundation        RAJIV SMRITI PURASKAR-1996.