(TibetanReview.net, Sep05’24) – The Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) has on Sep 4 launched a seven-volume “Greatness of Spirit” series to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the presentation of the award to His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a meeting at his residence in Dharamshala. The focus of the volumes is on the award’s winners since 1958.
The Dalai Lama was thus one of the earliest recipients of the award, which happened in 1959; it was also his first international award.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay’s example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.
It was established in Apr 1957 by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund based in New York City with the concurrence of the Philippine government. Based in Manila, Philippines, it is often called the “Nobel Prize of Asia”.
Susanna B Afan, President, and Cecilia L Lazaro, Chairperson of RMAF, were among those who met the Dalai Lama for the volumes’ launch. Ms Afan reminded His Holiness that she had come to Dharamsala last year to present to him the medal that they had been unable to physically present to him 65 years ago. Accompanying them were six Ramon Magsaysay Award Laureates, the Board of Trustees and friends.
The award’s first winner was Vinoba Bhave of India; he won it in 1958 for Community leadership.