PM Manmohan Singh to Get World Statesman Award

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be conferred with prestigious World Statesman Award, said media reports citing an announcement by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, which gives away the award.

At a reception hosted at the residence of Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar, the former Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said that the award would be presented to the Prime Minister in September, said report.

Shankar said that Singh has graciously accepted the award, report said.

In the past, many other heads of state won the prestigious prize, among them are British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (2009), French President Nicolas Sarkozy (2008), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2007) and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2006).

The Appeal of Conscience Foundation was founded by Rabbi Arthur Schneier in 1965. It has worked on behalf of religious freedom and human rights throughout the world.

This interfaith coalition of business, religious andforeign policy leaders promotes peace, tolerance and ethnic conflict resolution.

It also provides a voice of conscience to protect minorities at a time of increasing ethnic conflict in many regions of the world.

(Based on internet reports)