NEW DELHI, Oct 1: Gerhard Fischer, a social crusader and former German diplomat, has been selected for this year's prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for his outstanding work for the treatment and rehabilitation of leprosy patients and polio victims and commitment to serve the deprived.The covetous international prize carrying a cash award of Rs one crore, a citation and a plaque, would be presented to the distinguished Gandhian and ``ambassador of humanity'' on January 1, 1998, B P Singh, Secretary, Department of Culture, announced at a press conference today.The 76-year-old German, who retired prematurely from a successful diplomatic career to establish a network of centres for leprosy patients and children affected by polio in India, was unanimously chosen for the prize by a high-powered jury chaired by Prime Minister I K Gujral.Instituted in 1995 to encourage the promotion of Gandhian values around the world, the prize is given for social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods.Earlier awardees include Dr Julius Nyerere, former president of Tanzania for 1995 and Dr A T Ariyaratne, a Sri Lankan social scientist (1996).Fischer was inspired by Gandhian values when he was German Consul General in Madras in 1960 and started working for leprosy patients and polio victims under the guidance of a Gandhian, Dr Elizabeth Bonstein, B P Singh said.As many as 55 nominations were received for this year's prize and Fischer was selected in recognition of his commitment and contribution towards the amelioration of human suffering and dedication to the uplift of the people under his care.Fischer, who stood out because of his commitment to serve the underprivileged, had served as Germany's Ambassador in Malaysia, Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Thereafter, he came to believe that he had to do something more meaningful and chose to work in India.He began to work by setting up centres where patients suffering from leprosy were treated. In course of time, he expanded his activities beyond physical treatment and rehabilitated leprosy victims by training and supporting them to become independent and self-reliant.Fischer also decided to work on the prevention and treatment of polio among children and set up polio centres and started providing artificial aids to the afflicted children.Gerhard Fischer's network in India includes two leprosy centres in Dehradun and Almora in Uttar Pradesh and three polio centres in Tamil Nadu.His polio immunisation service goes out into the countryside to reach out to those who have no access to hospitals.
