International Gandhi Award Presented to Key ALM Partner
American Leprosy Missions’ long-time friend and colleague, Dr. Vijay Pannikar, former Team Leader of the World Health Organization’s Global Leprosy Programme, received the 2009 International Gandhi Award on July 1, 2010. It was presented in Wardha district, India by India's Vice-President, Mr. Hamid Ansari. The award, one of India's highest honors, is made every three years by the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation, established in 1951 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's service and scientific approach to leprosy. The award is given to an individual or institution that has made outstanding contributions to the leprosy field, improving the lives of people affected by leprosy and helping them to lead normal lives in society.