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John Hume, architect of the Northern Ireland Peace Settlement, was on Friday conferred the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize.
Hume expressed confidence that 'change is possible' in the troubled relationship between India and Pakistan.
"We have seen in this generation a transformation in relationships within our two islands of Ireland and Britain. Dialogue and partnership have replaced alienation," he said, after receiving the Rs 10 million award from President K R Narayanan at a function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
He said, "If Gandhiji was to look around today, he would see a number of areas in which he would want to see the spiritual depth in the peoples of this region harnessed as a transforming energy -- and not the least in the troubled relationship with Pakistan."
Hume, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998, said, "If there is anything we can share of value, we are more than ready to do so in bringing about such a change."
The President said that by 'spilling sweat and not blood' Hume has translated into action Gandhi's vision of a society based on non-violence and accommodation of differing perception and approaches.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said that Hume spoke of democracy and peace for many years, when others talked the language of the gun.
"This in itself is worth emulation in today's world where terrorism and mindless violence continue to menace human life in almost every continent."
Quoting from Hume's Nobel Prize acceptance speech, the prime minister said, "Bloodshed for political change prevents the only change that truly matters: in the heart."
He said that for more than three decades, Hume has applied the principles of Gandhian thought and action to bring peace to troubled Northern Ireland and at the same time elevated the dignity and self-respect of his people.
The citation for the 2001 award hailed Hume as a 'shining example' of the triumph of peace and non-violence in today's world.
"His fearless perseverance and dedication has demonstrated that there can be a peacefully negotiated solution to any conflict, however deep rooted it may be," it said, adding that by honouring him the nation was paying tribute to an 'extraordinary man' who upheld ideals that were dear to the Mahtama.
The Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted in 1995 on the occasion of 125th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
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