Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Bangladesh, congratulated the neighbouring country for its 50th year of Independence and said that he too had gone to jail while protesting for Bangladesh’s liberation. “I was about 20-22 years old when along with some friends I had protested in favour of Bangladesh during its struggle. I even went to jail. Pakistan’s atrocities in Bangladesh are well known…the pictures didn’t allow me to sleep,” PM Modi said. He also paid respect to the Indian Army who fought for the freedom of Bangladesh and also paid respect to Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation, ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and conferred upon him the Gandhi Peace Prize 2020. “I pay my respects to Bangabandhu. He gave his life for the people of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu Mujibur Rehman was a ray of hope. He made sure that no country could enslave Bangladesh.”, PM Modi said.

The Gandhi Peace Prize was awarded for the first time in the year 1995 to

The correct option is Dr. Julius K. Nyerere, former President of Tanzania.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Understanding the Gandhi Peace Prize:
The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by the Government of India in 1995 to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It is awarded to individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social, economic, and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods.

2. First Recipient of the Prize:
The inaugural Gandhi Peace Prize was presented in 1995 to Dr. Julius K. Nyerere, who was the former President of Tanzania. He was honored for his exemplary leadership, non-violent struggle for freedom, and implementation of Gandhian principles in Africa.

3. Context in the Question:
While the passage highlights Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferring the Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 on 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of Bangladesh, the question specifically asks about the first recipient of the prize in 1995, who is Dr. Julius K. Nyerere.