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Indira Gandhi National Integration prize for Mahashweta Devi

     New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday presented the Indira Gandhi Prize for national integration to noted litterateur Mahashweta Devi, saying that she was the epitome of commitment to the welfare of India's largely neglected tribal communities. Reiterating his government's commitment to end the deprivation of tribals and to bring them into the mainstream of the society, Dr. Singh said that Mahashweta Devi's contributions "plead for a guarantee of their human and socio-economic rights." Congratulating the noted writer, the Prime Minister said that she had fought for the integration of tribes with mainstream society through the provision of livelihood opportunities. He added that anybody who tried to end poverty and exploitation of the deprived people was a major force for national integration. He also said that Mahashweta Devi represented in many ways the core of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhis personality. The award was presented to Mahashweta Devi by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Motilal Vora, Govenrors, Union Cabinet ministers and several Members of Parliament were among those present on the occasion.