RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD 2024

Source: IndianExpress

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Context

Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, considered one of the greatest animators and directors, has won the 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Details

About the Award

• The Ramon Magsaysay Award, internationally called the "Nobel Prize of Asia," is an annual award in memory of former President Ramon Magsaysay of the Philippines.
• Magsaysay’s administrative and military strategies played a pivotal role in countering the perceived threat of communism.
• The said award is meant to recognize living individuals and organizations in Asia which best embody the meaning and essence of integrity in governance, courageous service, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.

History of the Ramon Magsaysay Award

• Establishment: Set up in April 1957 by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, in concurrence with the government of the Philippines, the award furthers the ideals of Magsaysay.
• In May 1957, seven eminent Filipinos were selected to compose the founding board of trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, a nonstock corporation that would conduct the awards program.
• Board of Trustees: From an initial composition comprising prominent Filipinos, this later expanded to include distinguished membership from various parts of Asia. The trustees of the foundation govern the selection and awarding.

Criticism

The award has also faced its share of criticism because Magsaysay's political legacy was considered controversial, particularly in the suppression of dissent and perceived subservience to the U.S. government during his term as defense secretary and president.

Award Categories

Original Categories 1958–2008:

When the award was first given there were six categories for different types of public service and leadership:

1. Government Service
2. Public Service
3. Community Leadership
4. Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts
5. Peace and International Understanding
6. Emergent Leadership (established in 2001)

Amendments in 2009:

In a conscious response to the increasingly acknowledged many forms of excellence and leadership that exist in Asia, since 2009- except for the Emergent Leadership category- the award has no longer been given in fixed categories.

Awardees from India

• Vinoba Bhave (1958)
• Mother Teresa (1962)
• Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (1966)
• Satyajit Ray (1967)
• Mahasweta Devi (1997)
• Arvind Kejriwal (2006)
• Anshu Gupta (2015)
• Bezwada Wilson (2016)
• Ravish Kumar (2019)

Sources:

 IndianExpress 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q: Consider the following statements about the Ramon Magsaysay Award: 1.The Ramon Magsaysay Award was instituted for the first time in 1957 to recognize individuals and organizations that have generated impact and induced significant change in Asia. 2.It is also referred to as "Asian Nobel Prize" because it has prestige and recognition in this region. 3.Some of the Indian laureates who won this award include Dr. Verghese Kurien and Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Which of the following statements is/are correct? A) 1 and 2 B) 2 and 3 C) 1 and 3 D)1, 2, and 3   Answer: A) Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct: The prize was established in April 1957 by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund based in New York City with the concurrence of the Philippine government. It is often called the "Nobel Prize of Asia". Statement 3 is incorrect: Please refer to the list of awardees from India mentioned above.