Saturday, July 30 2005 16:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Margaret Alva has been selected for the first Nelson Mandela award for Minority Empowerment for her contribution in the field of advocacy for minority causes.

Alva would be receiving the award at the United Nations in New York on August five, according to the International Foundation for Minority Empowerment in the US.

The award is an honor given to individuals and organizations in recognition of the outstanding achievements in the promotion of minority affairs and has been instituted in commemoration of the sacrifices of former South African President and African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela, a release from her office said.

The 63-year-old Congress veteran has been MP for five terms during 1974-2004. At present she has been appointed as an honorary advisor to the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training, a body set up to better the standards of legislative functioning in Parliament and state assemblies.

In 2003, South African President Thabo Mbeki had recognized and honored Alva and four other Indians for playing an important role in garnering support for the African National Congress and the people of South Africa during their struggle for freedom and against apartheid.