Karzai chosen for Indira Gandhi Prize 2005

The nomination of the first popularly-elected President of Afghanistan was announced in New Delhi on Saturday in the presence of President APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President and Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at Rashtrapati Bhavan where the 18th Indira Gandhi Prize was presented to Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand.

Announcing the name of the 47-year-old Karzai, Delhi Chief Minister and Trust Secretary Sheila Dikshit said the International Jury of the Trust unanimously named Karzai as the recipient of the 19th Indira Gandhi Prize.

"I am glad to announce that the first democratically-elected President of Afghanistan Humid Karzai has been elected for the next Indira Gandhi Prize," Dikshit said, amid clapping of hands from the audience, at the end of today's 45-minute-long function at the historic Durbar Hall.