Mumbai: Denmark-based Marie Thoeger, an ardent admirer and true follower of Mahatma Gandhi today (Dec 9, 2004) received the prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj award for promoting Gandhian values outside India for year 2004.

Thoeger has visited India in the past on many occasions and has written several books about her experience of India and Gandhiji for youth of her country, received the award from L M Singhvi, the former High Commissioner to United Kingdom.

Radhakrishna Bajaj got this year's award for outstanding contribution in the field of constructive work, Prabhakar Thakur received the award for application of science and technology for rural development while Dr Sarojini Varadappan got the award for outstanding contribution to the uplift and welfare of women and children.

The Bajaj foundation gives four awards annually and each of these awards carries a citation, a trophy and a cash prize of Rs five lakhs.

Thoeger, a believer in non-violent and welfare society, said she was "honoured and happy" to receive the award "based on one of the great humanists in the new India".

The Danish social activist is spreading the message of Gandhi's non-violence and human values in the form of lectures, book-writing and cultural performances in her country.