Mahatma Award
महात्मा पुरस्कार
The Highest Honor
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Gyarah Murti [ Eleven Statues ] in Delhi, India
Gyarah Murti (Eleven Statues) is a monument installed in New Delhi, India, commemorating the country's struggle for independence under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. An ensemble of eleven statues, ten represent people from diverse sociocultural, religious and economic backgrounds following Gandhi in the lead. Widely believed to depict the epic Dandi March. The Salt March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, Dandi March, and Dandi Satyagraha, was an act of nonviolent civil disobedience in colonial India, led by Mahatma Gandhi. The 24-day march lasted from 12 March 1930 to 6 April 1930 as a direct action campaign of tax resistance and nonviolent protest against British rule and which laid the foundation for India's independence.
About the Award
The Mahatma Award, the highest honor in the realm of social impact, draws its inspiration from the life and principles of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, revered globally as Mahatma Gandhi. Embodying the spirit of his enduring legacy, this prestigious award recognizes and celebrates individuals and organizations that are catalysts for positive change, dedicating their efforts to making the world a better place.
Recipients of the Mahatma Award are changemakers and visionaries who exemplify Gandhi's ideals through their transformative work. From advancing social work and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to preserving art and culture, championing fearless journalism, and engaging in constructive activism, their contributions span diverse domains. They embody sustainable business practices, foster global peace, protect the environment, and tackle pressing global challenges with compassion and innovation.
Instituted by renowned Gandhian and Indian Lawyer Amit Sachdeva, this award is a tribute to those whose actions resonate with Gandhi’s belief in the power of change driven by truth and nonviolence. It shines a spotlight on initiatives that uplift communities, restore humanity’s faith in justice, and address the complex challenges of our time. The Mahatma Award serves as a beacon, inspiring others to follow in the footsteps of its honorees to create a sustainable, equitable, and harmonious future for generations to come. The award is supported by Rajashree Birla, Aditya Birla Group.
Award Recipients in Individual Category
The Mahatma Award honors remarkable individuals and organizations for their impactful contributions. From social work to sustainability, fearless journalism to constructive activism, and art preservation to global peace efforts, recipients embody transformative change. Their work inspires hope, addressing critical challenges and paving the way for a better, more equitable world.
Ratan Tata
Rajashree Birla
Prathap C. Reddy
Sudha Murty
Azim Premji
Dr. Purushottam Agarwal
Shabana Azmi
Dr. Sonal Mansingh
Bunker Roy
Raja & Radha Reddy
Dr. Kiran Bedi
Jatin Das
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima, Japan on 20 May 2023.
Dignitaries present during the unveiling ceremony included H.E Mr. Nakatani Gen, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament; Mr. Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima City; Mr. Tatsunori Motani, Speaker of the Hiroshima City Assembly; Members of Parliament from Hiroshima and senior government officials; members of the Indian community; and followers of Mahatma Gandhi in Japan.
A peak into Mahatma Week
October 1st marks the beginning of Mahatma Week, a global celebration honoring the life, legacy, and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. This week-long commemoration, curated by the Mahatma Foundation, is observed by Gandhian scholars, institutions, and admirers worldwide. Through events, discussions, and activities, Mahatma Week inspires reflection on Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, truth, and selfless service. It serves as a reminder of his unwavering commitment to social justice, sustainable living, and global harmony. Celebrated with reverence and renewed dedication, this tribute transcends borders, fostering unity and inspiring individuals to embody his values for a more peaceful and equitable world.
Hosting Countries
BE THE CHANGE
Change maker brands, who received Mahatma Award
If your organization is making sustainability and environmental progress while keeping social responsibility as a core part of its operations with the goal of making a lasting impact on the health of the planet and it's people, we encourage you to apply for Mahatma Awards 2020 in category you fit in from Sustainability to Corporate Social Responsibility to Impact Investment to Circular Economy to Environment to Social Impact
Read the greatest world leaders and thinker,
who are inspired by Mahatma Gandhi !
The list is long, diverse and awe-inspiring. Here’s what the world’s greatest leaders and thinkers of the 20th century had to say about Mahatma Gandhi.
In 2009, when Barack Obama was visiting Wakefield High School in the US, a ninth grader asked the would-be President: “If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?” Obama chuckled and answered: “Well, dead or alive, that’s a pretty big list. You know, I think that it might be Gandhi, who is a real hero of mine.”
Albert Einstein and Gandhi were big admirers of each other and exchanged letters frequently. Einstein called Gandhi “a role model for the generations to come” in a letter, writing about him. “I believe that Gandhi’s views were the most enlightened of all the political men in our time,” he said.
When Steve Jobs started his second innings at Apple in the year 1997, he stood before a giant portrait of Mahatma Gandhi and said these words before a packed audience: “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers…because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” It is believed that Mahatma Gandhi inspired these words.
Artists from 124 nations
pay musical homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary