The Interactive Forum on Indian economy (IFIE) has constituted the Gandhi Mandela Awards for Excellence. The first edition of the awards ceremony will be held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on July 18. The Award is aimed at honoring those who have been inspired by and furthered the ideas and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. This will go a long way promoting individual freedom, civil liberties, and human rights across the globe.

Gandhi and Mandela were the 20th century’s exemplary anti-racism and anti-colonialism leaders. Both are known as father figures in their respective nations; both helped shape democracies in their countries. The Gandhi Mandela Awards for Excellence, commemorating the legacy of the two great men, will be given for work done in India and Africa.

While former India President Pranab Mukherjee will be the chief guest, Vice-President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu will be guest of honor. The jury will be headed by K.G. Balakrishnan (former Chief Justice of India & former Chairman of NHRC), former Supreme Court Judge Gyan Sudha Misra, former Chief Election Commissioner Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi, and former IPS officer Anil Kumar.

The categories for the award are Peace, Politics, Social Welfare, Education, Health Care, Sports, Film, and CSR.

The IFIE is a non-profitable (80G, 12A-compliant) company dedicated to the welfare of women and children in rural India, with special focus on 115 Aspirational Districts.

The New Delhi-based IFIE also runs a new magazine, Power Corridors, both in English and Hindi. It also owns a web portal known as, Panchayati Times. Currently headed by Nandan Jha, it was created in 2011.

In December 2018, the IFIE had organized successful events like the Champions of Change Awards to promote Gandhian values, cleanliness (Swachata), community service, and social development, with special emphasis on Aspirational District.