Houston: The widow of Martin Luther King Jr. has been awarded Gandhi Peace Award in Atlanta coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's 135th birth anniversary celebrations.

The award was presented on Saturday (Oct 9, 2004) by India's Ambassador to US Ronen Sen on behalf of Gandhi Foundation of America at an impressive gathering at the Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King, Jr. was a pastor for a long time.

Martin Luther King III, son of Martin Luther King Jr. received the award on behalf of his mother Coretta Scott King.

An inter-racial delegation from South Africa and leaders of the African American Renaissance joined the Indian American organisations in Atlanta to celebrate the 135th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and to honour eminent Gandhians in Atlanta.

Speaking about the similarities between the philosophies and convictions of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., Sen said that both were men of action who energised large mass movements, Gandhi to win freedom for India from colonialism and Martin Luther King, Jr. to confront racial discrimination.

"The struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi culminated in ushering the end of colonialism and the movement led by Martin Luther King, Jr. led to the end of racism and segregation in the United States," Sen said.