Actress and social activist Shabana Azmi will receive the prestigious International Gandhi Peace Prize at a special function in Britain’s House of Commons today, for her work for disadvantaged women in India, particularly in the Mumbai slums.
British actress Vanessa Redgrave will present the award to Azmi in the presence of a distinguished gathering which shall include Professor Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Centennial Professor at the London School of Economics and Indian High Commissioner Kamalesh Sharma.
Azmi, who was described by Satyajit Ray as the finest dramatic actress of India, said: “I am honoured at being chosen for such an outstanding award, whose previous recipients include the Dalai Lama.”
She said she was happy her work for the rehabilitation of slum dwellers had borne fruit. At least 13,000 slum dwellers have been rehabilitated due to her effort.