Nepal Government today conferred the first Gautam Buddha International Peace Award to the Mayors of the twin Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at Lumbini, the birth place of the Buddha. Dr. Tadatoshi Akiba former mayor of Hiroshima and Mr Tomishisa Taue mayor of Nagasaki have been jointly honored by President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav in recognition to their significant contribution to peace and non-violence. Dr. Yadav said the message of peace and non-violence brought by Gautam Buddha is as relevant today as it was then. He said that as Nepal passes through the present transition phase, there is a need for the country to imbibe the message given by Lord Buddha.Mr. Tomishisa, mayor of Nagasaki said it is an honor to receive the award and hope that there will be a nuclear free world. He said no one should face and undergo what the two cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima had to experience. Dr. Tadaatoshi Akiba the former mayor of Hiroshoma said their movement; the Mayors of Peace is one of the fastest growing movements in the world. The ultimate vision is Nuclear Weapons Convention 2020 which will lead to a complete nuclear weapons free world and is a possibility. The award carries a citation, a gold medal and a purse of 50,000 dollars.