Geetakshi Arora, an Indian-origin student was awarded the inaugural Noor Inayat Khan Prize. The Prize consists of 1,000 pounds for a dissertation which was in “keeping with the spirit” of the famous World War II heroine.
- The Award is given by the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust in London.
- The Trust is awarding the annual prize to the post-graduate student from SOAS, University of London, working in the area of gender studies and South Asian history.
- The prize which consists of 1,000 pounds and a certificate — is for a dissertation which is in keeping with the spirit of Noor Inayat Khan, a descendant of Tipu Sultan.
About Noor
- Noor was born in Moscow in 1914 to Indian father Hazrat Inayat Khan and American mother Ora Ray Baker.
- She was a secret agent in World War II and was sent behind enemy lines.
- She operated from Paris, doing crucial work for the allies.
- Noor was betrayed, arrested and killed in Dachau Concentration Camp at the age of 30.
- Her last word was ‘Liberte’.
- Noor was a Sufi and believed in non-violence and religious harmony.
- Hazrat Inayat Khan was a descendant of Tipu Sultan, the famous 18th-century ruler of the kingdom of Mysore.
In November 2012, after a high-profile campaign by the Trust, Princess Anne unveiled a memorial to Noor in Gordon Square in London, near the house where she lived.
