Gorakhpur: Gita Press, Gorakhpur follows the tradition of not accepting and he wish that the publishing company continues to follow that the right path, Gita Press manager Lal Mani Tiwari said after the Centre Sunday announced the confernment of Gandhi Peace Prize, 2021, on the 100-year-old institution for promoting Gandian ideals, TOI reported.

"Our founders never wanted any award/ reward for the press," Lal Mani Tiwari told TOI.

"The trust has taken an unanimous decision to follow our tradition and not accept any award," Tiwari was quoted as saying by the news organisation.

"We pray to God that our printing press keeps gettin recognition and we keep moving ahead in the right direction," he added.

"Established in 1923, Gita Press is one of the world’s largest publishers, having published 41.7 crore books in 14 languages, including 16.21 crore Shrimad Bhagvad Gita. The institution has never relied on advertisement in its publications, for revenue generation.

Gita Press along with its affiliated organisations, strives for the betterment of life and the well being of all," the ministry said.

"A jury headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the decision after due deliberations on June 18, 2023 unanimously decided to select Gita Press, Gorakhpur as the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021, in recognition of it’s outstanding contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods," the Ministry of Culture said on Sunday in a statement, aking the announcement.

The award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.